Green tea extract effective for weight loss at low doses

Daily supplements of a purified extract of green tea may increase energy expenditure and help men beat the bulge, say results from a new human study.

A low dose of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea was found to increase fat oxidation by 33 per cent, according to findings published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

“This pilot study provides for the first time evidence that a single green tea catechin, EGCG, can increase fat oxidation in obese men, at least within 2 h after meal intake. Within this postprandial phase, EGCG is equipotent with caffeine with regard to fat oxidation,” wrote the authors, led by Frank Thielecke from DSM Nutritional Products.

Growing waistlines, growing market

With the World Health Organization estimating that by 2015, there will be more than 1.5 billion overweight consumers, incurring health costs beyond $117 billion per year in the US alone, the opportunities for a scientifically-substantiated weight management food product are impressive.

Green tea has been studied extensively for its potential in the weight management category, with the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) highlighted as a key component.

Three mechanisms have been proposed: EGCG could increase energy metabolism and fatty acid oxidation; inhibit fat cell development (apidogenesis); and/or reduce lipid absorption and increase fat excretion.

It has also been reported that caffeine must also be present as, for EGCG to aid weight loss, a stimulated nervous system is needed.

The new research, performed in collaboration with scientists from Universitary Medicine Berlin, supports the link between caffeine and EGCG, but also found that the compounds produce similar effects. A daily dose of 300 mg of EGCG was associated with a 33 per cent increase in fat oxidation, while a daily dose of 200 mg caffeine was linked to a 34.5 per cent increase. When male subjects were given a combination of EGCG (300 mg) and caffeine (200 mg), fat oxidation increased by almost 50 per cent, added the researchers.

The EGCG used in the study was DSM's Teavigo ingredient, with 94 per cent EGCG purity.

Study details

Thielecke and his co-workers recruited ten healthy overweight and obese men (average BMI of 31.3 kg/m2) to participate in the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. The men were randomly assigned them to one of five groups: Placebo, low-dose EGCG (300 mg), high-dose EGCG (600 mg), caffeine (200 mg), or EGCG plus caffeine (300 mg/200 mg). The men took the supplements for three days, then seven days of washout, and cross-over to another group. At the end of the study, all the men had participated in each group.

Daily supplements of a purified extract of green tea may increase energy expenditure and help men beat the bulge, say results from a new human study.

A low dose of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea was found to increase fat oxidation by 33 per cent, according to findings published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

“This pilot study provides for the first time evidence that a single green tea catechin, EGCG, can increase fat oxidation in obese men, at least within 2 h after meal intake. Within this postprandial phase, EGCG is equipotent with caffeine with regard to fat oxidation,” wrote the authors, led by Frank Thielecke from DSM Nutritional Products.

Growing waistlines, growing market

With the World Health Organization estimating that by 2015, there will be more than 1.5 billion overweight consumers, incurring health costs beyond $117 billion per year in the US alone, the opportunities for a scientifically-substantiated weight management food product are impressive.

Green tea has been studied extensively for its potential in the weight management category, with the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) highlighted as a key component.

Three mechanisms have been proposed: EGCG could increase energy metabolism and fatty acid oxidation; inhibit fat cell development (apidogenesis); and/or reduce lipid absorption and increase fat excretion.

It has also been reported that caffeine must also be present as, for EGCG to aid weight loss, a stimulated nervous system is needed.

The new research, performed in collaboration with scientists from Universitary Medicine Berlin, supports the link between caffeine and EGCG, but also found that the compounds produce similar effects. A daily dose of 300 mg of EGCG was associated with a 33 per cent increase in fat oxidation, while a daily dose of 200 mg caffeine was linked to a 34.5 per cent increase. When male subjects were given a combination of EGCG (300 mg) and caffeine (200 mg), fat oxidation increased by almost 50 per cent, added the researchers.

The EGCG used in the study was DSM's Teavigo ingredient, with 94 per cent EGCG purity.

Study details

Thielecke and his co-workers recruited ten healthy overweight and obese men (average BMI of 31.3 kg/m2) to participate in the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. The men were randomly assigned them to one of five groups: Placebo, low-dose EGCG (300 mg), high-dose EGCG (600 mg), caffeine (200 mg), or EGCG plus caffeine (300 mg/200 mg). The men took the supplements for three days, then seven days of washout, and cross-over to another group. At the end of the study, all the men had participated in each group.

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Zinc may ease female anger and depression: Study

Daily supplements of zinc may reduce measures of anger and depression in young women, according to a new study from Japan.

A daily supplement of 7 milligrams of zinc as zinc gluconate was associated with significant decreases in measures of anger-hostility and depression-dejection, report scientists from Daigaku Junior College and Seitoku University in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

On the other hand, multivitamin supplements did not affect the mood state of women who participated in the study.

“Although our findings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, they may prompt further investigations to evaluate the relationship between zinc nutriture and mood states in women,” wrote the researchers.

Study details

Zinc deficiency affects 30 per cent of the world’s population, and mood swings are reportedly common symptoms of mild zinc deficiency. In order to test if zinc supplements could affect mood the Japanese researchers recruited 30 young women and randomly assigned them to receive either multivitamins, or multivitamins plus zinc for 10 weeks.

Daily supplements of zinc may reduce measures of anger and depression in young women, according to a new study from Japan.

A daily supplement of 7 milligrams of zinc as zinc gluconate was associated with significant decreases in measures of anger-hostility and depression-dejection, report scientists from Daigaku Junior College and Seitoku University in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

On the other hand, multivitamin supplements did not affect the mood state of women who participated in the study.

“Although our findings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, they may prompt further investigations to evaluate the relationship between zinc nutriture and mood states in women,” wrote the researchers.

Study details

Zinc deficiency affects 30 per cent of the world’s population, and mood swings are reportedly common symptoms of mild zinc deficiency. In order to test if zinc supplements could affect mood the Japanese researchers recruited 30 young women and randomly assigned them to receive either multivitamins, or multivitamins plus zinc for 10 weeks.

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Clinic Promotion

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Pilling Cats: What is the Best Way?

Bennett AD, MacPhail CM, Gibbons DS et al: A comparative study evaluating the esophageal transit time of eight healthy cats when pilled with the FlavoRx pill glide versus pill delivery treats, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 12:286, 2010.

It is well known that retention of the tablets or capsules of certain drugs (e.g., doxycycline, clindamycin) in the esophagus of the cat can cause inflammation and stricture formation. Current recommendations are that cats should never be given medication "dry", but any pill or capsule should be followed with a food treat or a bolus of water. This study was designed to evaluate the esophageal transit time of tablets and capsules when administered with either the FlavoRx pill glide or Greenies Pill Pockets. The FlavoRx pill glide is a one-step system that delivers the medication and a 3 ml fluid bolus at the same time. Four different medications were evaluated on different days in eight healthy cats. The estimated average esophageal transit time ranged from 16 seconds to 26 seconds. The researchers conclude that both the FlavoRx pill glide and Pill Pockets provide acceptable transit time into the stomach. [SL]

Related articles:
Westfall D, Twedt D, Steyn P et al: Evaluation of esophageal transit of tablets and capsules in 30 cats, J Vet Intern Med 15:467, 2001.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Bennett AD, MacPhail CM, Gibbons DS et al: A comparative study evaluating the esophageal transit time of eight healthy cats when pilled with the FlavoRx pill glide versus pill delivery treats, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 12:286, 2010.

It is well known that retention of the tablets or capsules of certain drugs (e.g., doxycycline, clindamycin) in the esophagus of the cat can cause inflammation and stricture formation. Current recommendations are that cats should never be given medication "dry", but any pill or capsule should be followed with a food treat or a bolus of water. This study was designed to evaluate the esophageal transit time of tablets and capsules when administered with either the FlavoRx pill glide or Greenies Pill Pockets. The FlavoRx pill glide is a one-step system that delivers the medication and a 3 ml fluid bolus at the same time. Four different medications were evaluated on different days in eight healthy cats. The estimated average esophageal transit time ranged from 16 seconds to 26 seconds. The researchers conclude that both the FlavoRx pill glide and Pill Pockets provide acceptable transit time into the stomach. [SL]

Related articles:
Westfall D, Twedt D, Steyn P et al: Evaluation of esophageal transit of tablets and capsules in 30 cats, J Vet Intern Med 15:467, 2001.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our e-newsletter

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MEDITRAC: TRACTION ON THE MOVE Treating your patient's BACK by moving FORWARD

Give your practice the competitive advantage needed to thrive by using Meditrac's revolutionary rehabilitation devices to treat neck and back pain. Always at the forefront of spinal rehabilitation technology, Meditrac is the only company that implements portable traction devices, allowing for "Traction on the Move". The use of our innovative wearable cervical and lumbar spine traction units lets patients engage in physical activity while receiving treatment. This gives the patient the added benefits of enhanced circulation, muscle strength and joint flexibility.

Vertetrac®, for the lumbar spine, provides three-dimensional decompression therapy for Lower Back Pain and Sciatica- a feature not offered by any other traction device. With the addition of an optional DBS (Dynamic Brace System), the device can be used for the treatment of Juvenile Scoliosis and degenerative spinal changes.

CerviCo 2000®, for the cervical spine, performs low-load (unloading) traction in the upright, natural spinal position. The device performs powerful yet controlled traction which produces forces that act equally on all parts of the disc.

Both Meditrac devices are easy to use and completely customizable to the needs of each patient. They are compact, portable and reliable, all while providing cost-effective results.

For more information please contact Meditrac.
Website: www.meditrac.co.il
Email: Info@meditrac.co.il or drkevinlau@gmail.com

Give your practice the competitive advantage needed to thrive by using Meditrac's revolutionary rehabilitation devices to treat neck and back pain. Always at the forefront of spinal rehabilitation technology, Meditrac is the only company that implements portable traction devices, allowing for "Traction on the Move". The use of our innovative wearable cervical and lumbar spine traction units lets patients engage in physical activity while receiving treatment. This gives the patient the added benefits of enhanced circulation, muscle strength and joint flexibility.

Vertetrac®, for the lumbar spine, provides three-dimensional decompression therapy for Lower Back Pain and Sciatica- a feature not offered by any other traction device. With the addition of an optional DBS (Dynamic Brace System), the device can be used for the treatment of Juvenile Scoliosis and degenerative spinal changes.

CerviCo 2000®, for the cervical spine, performs low-load (unloading) traction in the upright, natural spinal position. The device performs powerful yet controlled traction which produces forces that act equally on all parts of the disc.

Both Meditrac devices are easy to use and completely customizable to the needs of each patient. They are compact, portable and reliable, all while providing cost-effective results.

For more information please contact Meditrac.
Website: www.meditrac.co.il
Email: Info@meditrac.co.il or drkevinlau@gmail.com

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Treatment of Blood Clots in Cats with Heart Disease

Welch KM, Rozanski EA, Freeman LM et al: Prospective evaluation of tissue plasminogen activator in 11 cats with arterial thromboembolism, J Feline Med Surg 12:122, 2010.

Feline arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a serious and devastating event in cats often associated with acute ischemic necrosis of one or more limbs. It is seen in a small percentage of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Acute aortic thromboembolism has been treated either by conservative methods such as supportive care and antithrombotics or by surgical thrombolectomy or administration of thrombolytic agents. This study’s objective was to evaluate the clinical response and side effects of a thrombolytic agent, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), for the treatment of ATE. Eleven cats were prospectively enrolled into the study over a 6-month period. The study was terminated before enrollment of the planned 24 cats due to a high frequency of adverse outcomes. The results of this study demonstrate that tPA administration was associated with the return of pulses and improved limb scores in 6/9 cats within 12 hours of drug administration. However, adverse effects were seen in all cats following administration of tPA, including azotemia, neurological signs, cardiac arrhythmias, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and sudden death in one cat. The survival to discharge in this study was generally not higher than that reported in the literature with other therapies, including conservative therapy. [VT]

Related articles:
Stokol T, Brooks M, Rush JE et al: Hypercoagulability in cats with cardiomyopathy, J Vet Intern Med 22:546, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Sign up for our e-newsletter

Welch KM, Rozanski EA, Freeman LM et al: Prospective evaluation of tissue plasminogen activator in 11 cats with arterial thromboembolism, J Feline Med Surg 12:122, 2010.

Feline arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a serious and devastating event in cats often associated with acute ischemic necrosis of one or more limbs. It is seen in a small percentage of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Acute aortic thromboembolism has been treated either by conservative methods such as supportive care and antithrombotics or by surgical thrombolectomy or administration of thrombolytic agents. This study’s objective was to evaluate the clinical response and side effects of a thrombolytic agent, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), for the treatment of ATE. Eleven cats were prospectively enrolled into the study over a 6-month period. The study was terminated before enrollment of the planned 24 cats due to a high frequency of adverse outcomes. The results of this study demonstrate that tPA administration was associated with the return of pulses and improved limb scores in 6/9 cats within 12 hours of drug administration. However, adverse effects were seen in all cats following administration of tPA, including azotemia, neurological signs, cardiac arrhythmias, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and sudden death in one cat. The survival to discharge in this study was generally not higher than that reported in the literature with other therapies, including conservative therapy. [VT]

Related articles:
Stokol T, Brooks M, Rush JE et al: Hypercoagulability in cats with cardiomyopathy, J Vet Intern Med 22:546, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Sign up for our e-newsletter

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Vitamin K may reduce cancer risk: EPIC study

Consuming foods rich in vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of cancer, says a new study supporting the potential anti-cancer benefits of this emerging nutrient.

Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study found that the highest intakes of vitamin K2, but not vitamin K1, were associated with a reduced risk of both overall cancer and cancer mortality, with the latter reduced by about 30 per cent.

There are two main forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone, also known as phytonadione, (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamins K2). K1 is found in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach, and makes up about 90 per cent of the vitamin K in a typical Western diet; while K2, which makes up about 10 per cent of Western vitamin K consumption and can be synthesised in the gut by microflora.

There are various forms of menaquinones, and these can also be found in the diet: Menaquinone-4, for example, can be found in animal meat, while menaquinones-7, -8, and-9 are found in fermented food products like cheese, and natto is a rich source of menaquinone-7.

Maintaining intakes

The new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, appear to support the anti-cancer benefits of vitamin K2, with the majority of the nutrient being consumed from cheese.

The study adds to an ever-growing body of science supporting the benefits of vitamin K2, most well established for bone and cardiovascular health. Emerging evidence also supports a potential role for reducing the risk of prostate cancer.

Interestingly, Joyce McCann, PhD, and Bruce Ames, PhD, from the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute reported last year that current recommendations for vitamin K are not being met, placing people at increased risk of age-related diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Current recommendations are based on levels to ensure adequate blood coagulation, but failing to ensure long-term optimal levels of the vitamin may accelerate bone fragility, arterial and kidney calcification, cardiovascular disease, and possibly cancer, wrote the researchers in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

New data

The new study, led by Jakob Linseisen from the German Research Centre for Environmental Health, analysed data from 24,340 participants aged between 35 and 64 participating in the EPIC-Heidelberg cohort study.

The participants were following for over 10 years, during which 1,755 cases of cancer were documented. Of these 458 turned out to be fatal cases. Results showed that people with the highest average intakes of vitamin K2 were 14 per cent less likely to develop cancer, compared to people with the lowest average intakes.

Furthermore, a 28 per cent reduction in cancer mortality was observed for people with the highest average intakes.

Dr Linseisen and his co-workers also report that significant associations with prostate cancer, as observed in previous studies, meant that the cancer risk reduction was more pronounced in men.

Consuming foods rich in vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of cancer, says a new study supporting the potential anti-cancer benefits of this emerging nutrient.

Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study found that the highest intakes of vitamin K2, but not vitamin K1, were associated with a reduced risk of both overall cancer and cancer mortality, with the latter reduced by about 30 per cent.

There are two main forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone, also known as phytonadione, (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamins K2). K1 is found in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach, and makes up about 90 per cent of the vitamin K in a typical Western diet; while K2, which makes up about 10 per cent of Western vitamin K consumption and can be synthesised in the gut by microflora.

There are various forms of menaquinones, and these can also be found in the diet: Menaquinone-4, for example, can be found in animal meat, while menaquinones-7, -8, and-9 are found in fermented food products like cheese, and natto is a rich source of menaquinone-7.

Maintaining intakes

The new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, appear to support the anti-cancer benefits of vitamin K2, with the majority of the nutrient being consumed from cheese.

The study adds to an ever-growing body of science supporting the benefits of vitamin K2, most well established for bone and cardiovascular health. Emerging evidence also supports a potential role for reducing the risk of prostate cancer.

Interestingly, Joyce McCann, PhD, and Bruce Ames, PhD, from the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute reported last year that current recommendations for vitamin K are not being met, placing people at increased risk of age-related diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Current recommendations are based on levels to ensure adequate blood coagulation, but failing to ensure long-term optimal levels of the vitamin may accelerate bone fragility, arterial and kidney calcification, cardiovascular disease, and possibly cancer, wrote the researchers in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

New data

The new study, led by Jakob Linseisen from the German Research Centre for Environmental Health, analysed data from 24,340 participants aged between 35 and 64 participating in the EPIC-Heidelberg cohort study.

The participants were following for over 10 years, during which 1,755 cases of cancer were documented. Of these 458 turned out to be fatal cases. Results showed that people with the highest average intakes of vitamin K2 were 14 per cent less likely to develop cancer, compared to people with the lowest average intakes.

Furthermore, a 28 per cent reduction in cancer mortality was observed for people with the highest average intakes.

Dr Linseisen and his co-workers also report that significant associations with prostate cancer, as observed in previous studies, meant that the cancer risk reduction was more pronounced in men.

Read More