14 DAY TRIAL // In a recent paper in the journal Metabolomics, scientists detail why it is that people who drink green tea have a lower risk to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at some point in their lives.
Thus, it is argued that, as shown by evidence at hand, compounds that are naturally occurring in green tea can influence the behavior of pancreatic cancer cells.
One of these compounds is EGCG, otherwise known as (a deep breath might be in order right about now) Epigallocatechin gallate. According to EurekAlert, EGCG is the active biologic constituent in green tea.
Studies have shown that this EGCG has the ability to alter the metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells. Apparently, it does so by putting a dent in the expression of LDHA (Lactate dehydrogenase A), an enzyme associated with cancer.
As detailed in the paper in the journal Metabomics, one other compound that is naturally occurring in green tea and that appears to lower pancreatic cancer risk is oxamate, which is described as an enzyme inhibitor that also reduces LDHA activity.
In light of these findings, the scientists who worked on this project argue that, all things considered, it might be possible to use the properties of these two compounds that are naturally occurring in green tea to reach a better understanding of cancer.
Besides, chances are that, in time, these findings will serve to roll out new treatment options for people who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, maybe even other forms of this illness, the researchers go on to explain.
“This is an entirely new way of looking at metabolism. It is no longer a case of glucose goes in and energy comes out. Now we understand how cancer cell metabolism can be disrupted, and we can examine how we can use this knowledge to try to alter the course of cancer or prevent cancer,” says Dr. Wai-Nang Lee.
Furthermore, “Scientists had believed they needed a molecular mechanism to treat cancer, but this study shows that they can change the metabolic system and have an impact on cancer.”
“By explaining how green tea's active component could prevent cancer, this study will open the door to a whole new area of cancer research and help us understand how other foods can prevent cancer or slow the growth of cancerous cells.”
Interestingly enough, the news that compounds in green tea can in fact fight cancer comes shortly after it was announced that a team of researchers successfully created an artificial lung no bigger than a sugar cube that could also serve to better understand this disease.