Blood vessels are lined with cells called the endothelia. A recent study, appearing in Circulation Journal (2010 Feb 4; [Epub ahead of print]) looked at the effect antioxidants, known as green tea catechins (GTC) had on the blood vessel lining of 30 smokers with no major health complaints. The subjects were randomly placed into one of three groups. For two weeks, one group received 80 mg of GTC per day, a second received 580 mg of GTC per day and the third group received a placebo. In the group receiving the higher dose of GTC, there was an increased response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (increasing blood flow in the forearm). The increase showed that a high dose of GTC actually improve circulation. Furthermore, there was an increase in nitric oxide in that group (a vasodilator). In addition, there was a decrease in chemicals, like c-reactive protein, that are involved with inflammation. These improvements were not experienced by the placebo group or the group taking the low dose of GTC.
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