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green tea could hold the key to cancer's riddle
There is mounting evidence that green tea's ability to fight cancer is even more potent and varied than scientists suspected. Researchers from Rochester University have discovered that chemicals in the tea also shut down a key molecule that can play a significant role in the development of cancer. Professor Thomas Gasiewicz says, "Green tea may work differently than we thought to exert its anti-cancer activity. It's likely that the compounds in green tea act through many different pathways." Green tea contains a molecule known as aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor, which has the ability to activate genes but not always in a positive way.
The Rochester team showed that the chemicals in this tea shut down the AH receptor in cancerous mouse cells. Early results indicate the same is true in human cells. However, green tea is not a cure-all for cancer. Dr. Julie Sharp, a science information officer at Cancer Research UK, says, "This research describes additional properties of green tea that may be beneficial but which have yet to be tested properly. The causes of cancer are complex, both diet and our genetic makeup act together to influence our risk of developing the disease."
from The Village Voice - Forrest Hill Village, Toronto by Pat Young. Jan 2004
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