FOOD THYMES
SPRING 2013 Theanine works with catechins to decrease high blood pressure, with theobromine and theophylline significantly reducing weight and fat (according to an 8 week study where participant drank 4 cups of green tea every day.) High cholesterol, high blood sugar and hypertension correlate with diabetes or hypertension, the two primary causes of kidney disease. For a person who already has kidney disease, reduction in these symptoms will greatly improve kidney function and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the main cause of death in kidney disease patients. If this wasn’t enough to motivate a person to drink green tea, it would be useful to know that green tea protects also against stresses that can diminish your body’s immune system, including carcinogens. All stages of cancer have been found to be inhibited by green tea. Along with careful diet planning and monitoring, green tea may be the perfect supplement to the diet for kidney disease patients. References National Council on Strength & Fitness. (2012, November 01). Green tea and blood pressure. Retrieved from http://www.ncsf.org/NewsArticles/0251/GreenTeaandBloodPressure.aspx Roizman, T. (2011, July 06). Does green tea relieve stress?. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/486339does-green-tea-relieve-stress/ Traister, J. (2011, July 17). Green tea bags for loosing weight. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/494955green-tea-bags-for-losing-weight/
Benefits of Green Tea on Kidney Function By: Amanda Grigg
The main function of your kidney is to filter out toxic wastes from the body, while maintaining a balance of fluids and electrolytes. When the kidney fails to properly filter these substances, kidney disease becomes prevalent. There are 5 stages of kidney disease. Stage 1 consists of a slight damage to the kidneys and stage 5 is the complete failure of the kidney(s) (also called End Stage Renal Disease.) Two of the primary causes of kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension. Diabetes and hypertension both damage kidney function due to long term high blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs in diabetes as a result of high glucose levels in the blood and if the diabetic in question is also overweight, the heart has to pump harder to circulate blood through the body. Hypertension may also occur without diabetes but the end result is the same; the hypertension “burns out” the kidneys. As kidney disease progresses, the kidney is no longer able to filter out the minerals phosphorus and potassium, which then causes major complications. As phosphorus and potassium levels rise in the body, these minerals impair cardiac function. If these events are prolonged for any length of time, it will lead to heart attack. Because of this, among other factors, cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in people with kidney disease. Green tea has been a staple in countries like India, China, Japan and Thailand for thousands of years. Presently, it is the second most consumed beverage in the world, with water being the first. The numerous benefits of green tea include several factors that prevent kidney disease and improve kidney function. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants called catechins, which reduce oxidative stress throughout the body. It contains an amino acid called theanine, which relaxes the central nervous system. It also contains caffeine, theobromine and theophylline which are body stimulants and found in many weight loss supplements. In particular, catechins and caffeine work to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as increase weight loss. Theanine is the most abundant amino acid in green tea which contributes to its flavor. If this wasn’t enough the motivate a person to drink green tea, it would be useful to know that green 12 tea protects also against stresses that can diminish