Making-Money-Month Is Now!

Scientific studies show that green tea is good for you.

Tea began as a Chinese medicinal drink, and modern science proves just how green tea is good for you.
In traditional Chinese medicine, tea helps to clear the eyes and head, resolve excess phlegm, promote urination, relieve toxins, aid the digestion, and quench thirst. As with so many foods and medicines, the traditional Chinese medicinal thoughts are being proven scientifically in modern times. Today, there is ample evidence that tea is good for you as a daily tonic in the interest of preventing or treating a wide range of maladies, including: cancer, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, premature aging, food poisoning, dental decay and bad breath, and even arthritis.

So, how is tea good for you?

Tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Green tea may be good for your waistline. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Tea is good for your immune system:

A Japanese report found that men who drank ten cups of green tea per day stayed cancer-free for three years longer than men who drank less than three cups a day (there are approximately 240 - 320 mg of polyphenols in three cups of green tea). Meanwhile, a study by Cleveland’s Western Reserve University concluded that drinking four or more cups of green tea per day could help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, or reduce symptoms in individuals already suffering from the disease.

Scientists at the Saitama Cancer Research Institute discovered that there were fewer recurrances of breast cancer, and the disease spread less quickly, in women with a history of drinking five cups or more of green tea daily.

Tea is good for your prevention and treatment of cancer:

Scientists also discovered that EGCG from green tea can help to prevent metastasis, or the movement and spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to the other by bloodstream or lymph. Cancer cells secrete special enzymes in order to enter and colonize tissues. Research shows that EGCG stops the secretion of these special enzymes.

A case study that was done in China, reports that those women who drank green tea regularly had a 50% lower risk of developing esophageal cancer. Men showed less risk as well, but not as significant as women.

Researchers from Sweden reported that green tea blocked the development of new blood vessels in the lungs. By blocking the development of new blood vessels in the lungs, tumors are less likely to grow and metastasize. Scientists believe that EGCG plays a significant rule in blocking the development of tumors. Similar results were achieved in breast cancer, colon cancer and melanoma studies. It is believed that drinking green tea for an extended period of time will help to prevent and might cure cancer naturally.

The antioxidants found in tea–called catechins–may selectively inhibit the growth of cancer. In laboratory studies using animals, catechins scavenged oxidants before cell damage occurred, reduced the number and size of tumors, and inhibited the growth of cancer cells.National Cancer Institute researchers are investigating the therapeutic and preventive use of tea catechins against a variety of cancers.

One Chinese study involving over 18,000 men found tea drinkers were about half as likely to develop stomach or esophageal cancer as men who drank little tea, even after adjusting for smoking and other health and diet factors.

In the laboratory, studies have shown tea catechins act as powerful inhibitors of cancer growth in several ways: They scavenge oxidants before cell injuries occur, reduce the incidence and size of chemically induced tumors, and inhibit the growth of tumor cells. In studies of liver, skin and stomach cancer, chemically induced tumors were shown to decrease in size in mice that were fed green and black tea.

Tea is good for your teeth:

Green tea is good for your teeth, the catechins prevent decay by killing the bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) that cause dental plaque. Green tea also contains fluoride. One cup of brewed green tea contains around 0.3-0.5 mg of fluoride. This is an optimal level of fluoride according to dentists. As we all know, fluoride builds in our teeth’s enamel, making it more resistant against acidic environment, of our mouth. Green tea also eliminates other bacteria that responsible for bad breath. According to researchers, green tea polyphenols can inhibit, by 30%, the growth of bacteria that causes unpleasant breath.

A study at the Beijing Dental Hospital found consuming 3 grams of tea a day, or about 2 cups, along with the application of a tea extract reduced the size and proliferation of leukoplakia, a precancerous oral plaque.

Recent research suggests that green tea is good for your HDL cholesterol ( the good one) and lowers triglyceride levels. Several tests have been done. And Green tea extract has been shown to be good for your cholesterol.

Tea is good for your blood pressure:

At the the end of a 5 week experiment, one group with the regular diet showed blood pressure increases. For the catechin fed group, the blood pressure stayed normal. After this initial testing the scientists switched the diets for the two groups. This switch led to a reversal of the blood pressure trends. The study concluded that drinking moderate amounts of green tea each day can help to prevent high blood pressure.

The catechins in green tea have addiitonally been shown to help prevent excess cholesterol in the blood, killing the bacteria that causes food poisoning, lower blood sugar, additionally tea is good for your high blood pressure by supressing the production of angiotensn II. Catechin is also a strong anti-oxidant, which aids in aging related concerns.

Green and white tea leaves are less processed than oolong or black teas, which prevents oxidation and retains the highest levels of beneficial compounds. But all tea is good for you, so find the ones you like and drink them daily!

About the author:

By Jake Mayer Lapis Teahouse http://www.tea-dojo.comMy own background includes an extensive grounding in philosophy and eastern religion (I have a B.A. in comparative religion, and a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine). I am available for public speaking, and can be reached at jake@tea-dojo.com

According to a recent survey, gentlemen prefer blogs to the tune of 75 percent; roughly 25 percent of blog frequenters are female. But I want to invite all you ladies to invade the male space. What exactly is a blog? Well, it is an online journal or tabla rasa in the Internet zone where average people can post articles and comments, expostulate, and generally schmooze about topics ranging from food to politics.

It is also a retaliation against what bloggers call MSM; you know, mainstream media, such as CNN, Fox News, and the New York Times. The argument is that MSM is controlled by corporations and other insiders; the blog provides the opportunity for the little guys, or gals, to make their otherwise inaudible opinions known.

I stumbled upon this process when Googling for “Schopenhauer.” It turned out Mayor Jerry Brownformerly the Governor of Californiahad just started his own blog. The philosopher that he is, he had made comments about Schopenhauer, as well as about teen drag racing through Oakland, curfews for ex-convicts, and freedom-of-speech issues.

I figured I would chime in without telling my fellow bloggers that I have a regular column in MSM. Someone had already blasted Jerry for having the nerve to start a blog when he can be heard on O’Reilly’s Factor and Hardball.

I did not tiptoe into the medium, as I should have, but rushed in by calling America a land of parrots since 9/11, with only one linea salute to the flag. This drew fire, and I was called a moron by some moron in the blogosphere. How dare he? He was tarnishing the reputation of blogging, straddling a fine line, butchering his chance of being graced by my deep, insightful words again.

I felt better a day later after reading the 255 entries on this one topic and finding that the anonymous and well-known–from some guy named “Smiling Simian in Shades” to Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, Noam Chomsky, and even Jerry himself–had all been called equally insulting names. If Jerry–who is brilliant, in my estimation–can be attacked, it was not a big deal anymore.

The next day Jerry posted a comment about political extremism, and I was ecstatic because I knew it was my chance to delve into my favorite topic: dead philosophers. Both he and I seem to enjoy this popular hobby.

When I mentioned how I am particularly a devotee of 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza, some guy who called himself “Bill Gates” (yeah, right) attacked Spinoza as “having been discredited long ago.” Excuse me? It’s one thing to fire bullets at me, but I will not stand for vitriol against my future husbandyou know, in my next life.

“Bill Gates” went on to tell me to go live with the animals. Although he was referring to the furry kind, I politely replied, “No. I don’t want to live with you.”

Then someone named HA offered his two cents by insinuating that my carefully reasoned arguments were tedious. I asked, “Is this a mere joke as your name implies? Ha ha, HA.”

Blogging is more than entertainment. It is a way to keep shelves stocked in the marketplace of ideas. It allows brave political souls to get input from their constituents about public policy. Eight million people have blogs and 3% of Americans read them daily.

Ladies, maybe you’ll join the trend. Bill Gates is waiting for you.

Mayor Jerry Brown’s blog can be found at http://www.jerrybrown.typepad.com/

Charlotte Laws, Ph.D. is a syndicated columnist, an elected member of the Greater Valley Glen Council and the President of the League for Earth and Animal Protection (LEAP). Her political website is http://www.CharlotteLaws.org

Global warming may have been lurking on our horizon for a number of years and historical records of terrorists have existed for thousands of years, but we are coming into a new age where we try and financially protect ourselves against such problems and if we’re honest … we’re struggling.

The recent terrorism attacks in London brought home the fragility of human life to many Brits, who had previously been able to distance themselves from terrorist activity. For the partners and offspring of city workers, the fragility of their finances also became apparent with the potential loss of a loved one alongside the loss of future income and possibly the family home.

It is widely agreed that most life insurance policies should cover acts of terrorism, though most websites (including the Association of British Insurers) do state that you should always, always read the small print, as there may be insurer-specific exemption clauses. It will be interesting to see what effect terrorism has on life insurance applications and whether there’s a rise in consumer interest as a result of terrorist attacks.

Certainly the indication so far is that life insurance applications will be treated quickly and sympathetically in the event of a terrorist attack, reiterated by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Ginger Applegarth of MSN Money who stated that for insurers “to back out of paying a claim now would be considered unpatriotic and a marketing disaster.” In Applegarth’s column, she includes an “insurance checklist” of the very basics that you have to do when making a life insurance claim. She also states that insurers paid out almost $3 billion after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

It isn’t just your life insurance that can encompass a terrorism related clause. Travel insurance and property insurance can also contain terrorism related options. The website abi.org.uk states clearly that “household, buildings and contents policies include damage by fire, explosion or impact, whether caused accidentally, through the malicious act of an individual criminal or in an act of terrorism.” The costs and extent of cover will vary, so shop around and read the terms and conditions very carefully.

Contamination cover is singled out by ABI as a contentious issue and apparently has been a standard exclusion on household policies since the 1960s, due the potential scale of claims, as many homes could be affected by a single incident.

Cover against terrorism is also available for businesses, typically as an extension to property cover. Commercial property terrorism cover is typically allocated on an “All Risk” capacity, encompassing biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear contamination, as well as interruption to the business. Commercial property cover does not include electronic or internet related risks or hoaxes.

Other life insurance exemptions may include lifelong illnesses such as diabetes and epilepsy. Lifestyle habits such as smoking may or may not invalidate a life insurance application, but they will make it more expensive. Always get your medical records assembled before you apply for life insurance, as this will save time and possibly money as well. Once this information is assembled, you can begin assembling some personal quotes through life insurance comparison sites such moneynet ( Life insurance comparison research ) or UpMyStreet ( http://www.upmystreet.com/UK/home-insurance/l/ ).

About Rachel:

Rachel is a straight talking little lady who lives in the Scottish hills.

Rachel also writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla: a wee bit of banter on finance related issues.

Web: http://www.cashzilla.co.uk
E-mail: rachel@positiveinterest.com
Phone: 0131 561 2251