Making the switch to non-gallated black tea polyphenols (Theaflavins)

[CausticSymmetry]

Recent research shows that black tea theaflavins can powerfully block inflammatory cytokines.

Additionally, black tea polyphenols can better inhibit oxidative damage from androgen stimulation than green tea (EGCG).

There is likely to be a flood of research forth coming on Teaflavins.

I'm going to use this product until I can find a more specific concentration for Teaflavins.

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=7888&at=0

In short, I'm going to replace EGCG with this stuff, which is a mixture of various teas.

Prev Med. 2005 Jun;40(6):910-8.
Antioxidative properties of black tea.
Łuczaj W, Skrzydlewska E.

Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2a, P.O. Box 14, 15-230 Białystok 8, Poland.

BACKGROUND: Black tea, obtained by tea leaves fermentation, is an oxidized product and contains mainly multimeric polyphenols, whose biological activity is not well documented. This paper reviews the available literature on the effects of black tea on health with a focus on its antioxidative activity. METHODS: A review of the different issues and studies relating to composition, manufacturing, and antioxidative effects of black tea and its components in vitro as well as in vivo is presented. RESULTS: It is generally believed that polyphenols such as theaflavins and thearubigins as well as catechins as major constituents of black tea are mainly responsible for antioxidant actions. Antioxidative properties of black tea are manifested by its ability to inhibit free radical generation, scavenge free radicals, and chelate transition metal ions. Black tea, as well as individual theaflavins, can influence activation of transcription factors such as NFkappaB or AP-1. Theaflavins have been also proved to inhibit the activity of prooxidative enzymes such as xanthine oxidase or nitric oxide synthase. CONCLUSIONS: Black tea consumed throughout the world is believed to be not only a popular beverage but also an antioxidative agent available in everyday life.

[CausticSymmetry]

Cancer Lett. 2005 Sep 28;227(2):125-32.
Protective effects of black tea extract on testosterone induced oxidative damage in prostate.
Siddiqui IA, Raisuddin S, Shukla Y.

Environmental Carcinogenesis Division, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, M.G. Marg, P.O. Box 80, Lucknow 226 001, India.

Since ancient times, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidative properties of tea have been recognized. Black tea (Camellia sinensis) contains a variety of polyphenolic ingredients including the theaflavins (TF), thearubigins (TG) and catechins. Components from black tea have been accounted to play an important role in scavenging free radicals generated by mutagens and carcinogens. Androgens are the key factors in either the initiation or progression of prostate cancer (PCA) by inducing oxidative stress. In the present set of investigations, the antioxidative potential of black tea extract against androgen mediated oxidative stress in male Wistar rats has been studied. Testosterone was given at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. subcutaneously, consecutively for 5 days. Prior to androgen administration, animals were kept on 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% aqueous tea extract (ATE) as sole source of drinking fluid for 15 days. The prostate tissue was dissected out for biochemical analysis for antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR). The results revealed that testosterone administration induced the oxidative stress in rat prostate, however, in 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% ATE supplemented groups, a significant protective effect of black tea against testosterone induced oxidative injury was recorded. Hence, the study reveals that constituents present in black tea impart protection against androgen induced oxidative injury that may result in development of prostate cancer.

[Amaranthaceae]

That is interesting news. I will switch as well when I run out of EGCG (which is soon).

[scottyc33]

This is the reason I posted asking what kinds of tea people were drinking. I am trying to drink more of a variety as I think so many of them have benefits not yet published in scientific literature.

[lund]

Scotty, what is the list thing you bought from HSN?

[scottyc33]

Scotty, what is the list thing you bought from HSN?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[nidhogge]

I currently drink this organic tea that I got from Teavana--it's a White Tea/Chai tea mix. I bought a pound of each, and take 3 teaspoons of each herb and steep it. What IH is speaking of looks real interesting though...I bet they sell a similar black tea there.

[Project: JS]

There is an asian food store near my house - they sell teas (green, black, oolong, etc) from over seas in big containers..

This is probably a silly question but I havent been able to find an informed answer to it..

Should I avoid these teas for fear of pesticides, heavy metals, etc.? they are a really good value and the people in the store swear by them, but the chinese, and/or korean wording on the labels is a little disconcerting.

[nidhogge]

If it's truly organic, then you're cool. Have someone translate that stuff for ya!

[Project: JS]

Nid - Thats cool.. not a bad idea I could get someone to point to an organic tea. The only thing is I wonder how much I can trust something even with "certified organic" in chinese on the label if it comes from a country that doesnt seem to do a good job of regulating even things like poisons in their own food supply. Itd almost be funny if it were so sad for those poor folks over there.

[Project: JS]

Think Im gonna have to pass on it for now until I can find out more about how its grown, processed, and packaged from a firsthand source - which, seeing that I dont know anything about speaking chinese, might take a while. haha

[nidhogge]

Eh, we don't do a terribly good job of regulating stuff in our supplies either. It's just that we regulate the blatantly obvious poisons (like lead) and keep in the subtle killers (aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, fluoride, etc.), whereas the Chinese are wholesalers of ALL poisons. I believe Southern China is safe to buy from, Northern is the one that we've had issues with. Southern is more agricultural if memory serves me right.

[CausticSymmetry]

Life Extension brand is supposed to have Black Tea Theaflavins with standardization.

Here's what they say about it: So far I can only find it in their arthritis product, but somewhere I saw one that is just Black Tea Theaflavins:

New Ingredient…Black Tea Theaflavins

Inflammatory reactions are regulated by a series of cytokines produced in the body. Normal aging results in an unfavorable balance of these cytokines that contributes to persistent inflammatory conditions. New studies have shown compounds in black tea called theaflavins suppresses proinflammatory cytokines at the genomic level. Scientists have found that theaflavins uniquely down-regulate the expression of genes and cytokines associated with inflammatory conditions.

[johnt]

Sounds like green tea and black have different benefits. Why not continue the EGCG and add the black tea? I realize the product you pointed out has EGCG in it, but it doesn't seem like it would be enough.

[CausticSymmetry]

johnt - I think we will start to see more varieties available soon. I agree what is out there right now isn't that appealing, so will stick with the current EGCG until something intriguing comes along. I do know that Life Extension is planning to offer a Theaflavins extract by itself soon.

[big mike]

If black tea can supposedly have similar results as fin without the sides, why isn't this a staple in more peoples' regiment? Am I missing something? Wouldn't it make sense to take a few theaflavin pills a day in addition to drinking a massive amount of black tea everyday? Does anyone know if there are any possible negative effects?

[Paradox]

If black tea can supposedly have similar results as fin without the sides, why isn't this a staple in more peoples' regiment? Am I missing something? Wouldn't it make sense to take a few theaflavin pills a day in addition to drinking a massive amount of black tea everyday? Does anyone know if there are any possible negative effects?

big mike,

Where did you read that black tea has similar results as finasteride? Are you saying that it has similar hair growth results? Do you have any studies on black tea related to hair growth, and AGA?

CS,

Assuming that big mike is not talking about specific hair count studies like finasteride; are we not getting enough anti-oxidant protection from ECE, res/cur, etc.? Or maybe you can answer what I asked Mike... Does black tea have some 5ar-like inhibitory qualities like finasteride? I guess what I'm getting at is when does anti-oxidant consumption become redundant?

[big mike]

jharsh80 -

I was referring to this study: http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/133/2/516.pdf

Mice treated with black tea tended to have a greater serum testosterone concentration
(34.4%, P
0.50) and had a 72% lower DHT concentration
than controls (P  0.05), suggesting that black tea
may contain components that inhibit the activity of 5-
reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to the more
bioactive DHT.

[RobHealthMan]

jharsh80 -

I was referring to this study: http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/133/2/516.pdf

Mice treated with black tea tended to have a greater serum testosterone concentration
(34.4%, P
0.50) and had a 72% lower DHT concentration
than controls (P  0.05), suggesting that black tea
may contain components that inhibit the activity of 5-
reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to the more
bioactive DHT.

i saw this study too. Fin lowers DHT at the follicle by 38% from a source i read. Does Theaflavin from black/tea do the same? thank you!

[Paradox]

jharsh80 -

I was referring to this study: http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/133/2/516.pdf

Mice treated with black tea tended to have a greater serum testosterone concentration
(34.4%, P
0.50) and had a 72% lower DHT concentration
than controls (P  0.05), suggesting that black tea
may contain components that inhibit the activity of 5-
reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to the more
bioactive DHT.

big mike, CS, Rob, ...anyone,

Thanks for the study. What would be the difference between blocking 5-ar with finasteride or using black tea as far as side-effects are concerned? What would be reason for me to not just use finasteride if I want to inhibit 5ar? I see people that go the 'natural' 5ar route, but I still have not had someone answer the question of why that is any better? If you lower 5ar 'naturally' with supplement X by 70%, or pharmaceutically with finasteride, you will still have the side effects that come with doing that- sexual and otherwise. Unless I am missing something huge here, (which is very possible) I am just not understanding how one can lower 5ar and hope to have any less side-effects one way or the other!? This question/confusion has frustrated me for a long time because I can't seem to get a clear answer/explanation on it, and as much as I hate finasteride, I would love to have my cake and eat it too if that were possible.

[Prague]

i've read this studies 2 years ago and have switched for black tea at that time which i drink consistently every day - actually my own observation was the reason since i noticed that black tea drinkers have more T and better hair
(i made a large list of things with positive/negative corellation & hairloss - i can share if you want to - eating habbits, drinking habbits, meal frequency, sexual habbits, physical proportions, activity, sleeping habbits, etc)

i used to drink it with ginger, lemon in the moorning and ginger honey evening

last month i talked to a chinese woman selling tea who told me black tea and lemon do not mix well together, i trust it and started drinking it separately - anyone heard that?

[edony]

Hey Prague,

pls start a new topic with your observations .That 'd be really interesting..

[RobHealthMan]

jharsh80 -

I was referring to this study: http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/133/2/516.pdf

Mice treated with black tea tended to have a greater serum testosterone concentration
(34.4%, P
0.50) and had a 72% lower DHT concentration
than controls (P  0.05), suggesting that black tea
may contain components that inhibit the activity of 5-
reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to the more
bioactive DHT.

big mike, CS, Rob, ...anyone,

Thanks for the study. What would be the difference between blocking 5-ar with finasteride or using black tea as far as side-effects are concerned? What would be reason for me to not just use finasteride if I want to inhibit 5ar? I see people that go the 'natural' 5ar route, but I still have not had someone answer the question of why that is any better? If you lower 5ar 'naturally' with supplement X by 70%, or pharmaceutically with finasteride, you will still have the side effects that come with doing that- sexual and otherwise. Unless I am missing something huge here, (which is very possible) I am just not understanding how one can lower 5ar and hope to have any less side-effects one way or the other!? This question/confusion has frustrated me for a long time because I can't seem to get a clear answer/explanation on it, and as much as I hate finasteride, I would love to have my cake and eat it too if that were possible.

really great observation. I hope CS can answer this one!

[tao81]

men are no mice...
Everyone of my family is drinking a lot of black tea and all are balding

[johnt]

jharsh80 -

I was referring to this study: http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/133/2/516.pdf

Mice treated with black tea tended to have a greater serum testosterone concentration
(34.4%, P
0.50) and had a 72% lower DHT concentration
than controls (P  0.05), suggesting that black tea
may contain components that inhibit the activity of 5-
reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to the more
bioactive DHT.

big mike, CS, Rob, ...anyone,

Thanks for the study. What would be the difference between blocking 5-ar with finasteride or using black tea as far as side-effects are concerned? What would be reason for me to not just use finasteride if I want to inhibit 5ar? I see people that go the 'natural' 5ar route, but I still have not had someone answer the question of why that is any better? If you lower 5ar 'naturally' with supplement X by 70%, or pharmaceutically with finasteride, you will still have the side effects that come with doing that- sexual and otherwise. Unless I am missing something huge here, (which is very possible) I am just not understanding how one can lower 5ar and hope to have any less side-effects one way or the other!? This question/confusion has frustrated me for a long time because I can't seem to get a clear answer/explanation on it, and as much as I hate finasteride, I would love to have my cake and eat it too if that were possible.

really great observation. I hope CS can answer this one!

Jharsh and Rob - I actually had the same question for CS and I thought he answered it nicely at the end of this thread ... https://immortalhair.forumotion.com/natural-hair-regrowth-forum-f1/anyone-for-tea-t2145.htm

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