Green Tea for Detox

But first, let’s talk about our most important detoxification system.

Our Detox System

Toxins are everywhere … in our water, our food, and even in the air we breathe. Drugs we take, even simple over-the-counter pain and cold remedies, are foreign substances that must be deactivated and removed. Pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals from toiletry products, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies need to be eliminated. Some of these compounds, if not dealt with swiftly, can become carcinogenic. A normal cell can then be transformed into a cancer cell.

Other toxins may not lead necessarily to cancer but have other harmful effects that can contribute to organ damage and accelerated aging of the body. Liver and lung fibrosis, arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, lack of energy, and even skin aging can result.

Luckily for us, our bodies have built-in detoxifying systems that neutralize potentially harmful chemicals from our environment. Our most important defenders? Two groups of liver enzymes, called Phase I and Phase II, are responsible for attaching to these foreign invaders, transforming them into safer compounds, and getting rid of them.

Green Tea for Phase II Enzymes

One of the most important of the Phase II enzymes is glutathione S-transferase, which we will call GST. Research suggests that a decline in Phase II enzymes occurs with aging as well as with poor nutrition. But supplementing with green tea extract can increase GST, according to the new study from Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention.

In this research project, 42 healthy men and women took 800 mg of green tea extract daily for four weeks. Their blood was drawn before they started the trial, and then again after the four-week period.

The result? GST levels in the blood rose by an average of 20%. What’s more, those individuals who initially had the lowest concentration of GST saw a mean increase of 80%. In other words, those who were in the greatest danger of toxic overload saw the most benefit from green tea supplementation.

The Balance of Enzymes vs. Pollution

We are not all the same when it comes to the ability of our Phase I and Phase II systems to protect us. We may differ widely in our capacity to detoxify. This capability can vary depending on our genetics, the number of detoxifying foods and herbs in our diet, the supplements we take, and our age.

Some of us may be exposed to many more toxins than are others. For instance, if you eat organic foods without pesticides or antibiotics, avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs, avoid taking medications of any kind, and breathe relatively clean air, then you will have fewer assaults on your liver and its enzymes. (Supplements that include vitamins, minerals, and natural rejuvenators are not in this category. These are substances that are vital to life and health.)

But, what happens if your detox system cannnot keep up? What if the contaminants to which you’re exposed overwhelm your Phase I and Phase II enzymes? You, unfortunately, may be more likely to succumb to declining health and debility at an early age.

In light of this new information, you may want to add green tea drinking to your list of healthy practices. I believe in improving my chances for continued good health by including green tea in my diet and my multivitamin supplement. Maybe you will too.