Green Tea and Skin Care, treating eczema

In my experience, drinking green tea is great for the skin and better than any moisturizer. I suffer from eczema and find green tea helps tremendously. When I drink green tea my skin is great, when I drink coffee it is not. I'm trying to figure out why but here is some very recent research I dug up and totally correlates with my experience:

-Green tea is already touted for its cancer-fighting properties. A new study finds that it may also hold promise in treating inflammatory skin conditions such as dandruff, lupus-induced lesions and psoriasis.

-In skin diseases like psoriasis, skin cells multiply out of control, causing the skin to be thicker and to flake off. Immune cells in the body are also activated, causing inflammation to set in.

- In condition like psoriasis, skin cell growth becomes unregulated and inflammation sets in.In condition like psoriasis, skin cell growth becomes unregulated and inflammation sets in.

-In a study to be published in the Aug. 18 edition of Experimental Dermatology, scientists divided mice with a genetic predisposition for psoriasis into two groups — one was bathed routinely in warm water and one in a green tea extract mixed with water.

-The mice bathed in the green tea extract developed skin lesions much later than the mice washed with warm water. Their lesions were also smaller and less inflamed.

-Scientists concluded that the green tea slowed the production of skin cells by regulating the activity of caspase 14 that is involved in regulating a skin cell's life cycle.

-This research is important because certain treatments for psoriasis and dandruff can have dangerous side effects, Dr. Stephen Hsu.

"The traditional treatment of ultraviolet light and medication, while it can control the lesions and be used long term, may cause squamous cell carcinoma — the second most common form of skin cancer," he says.

"Some of the most effective anti-dandruff shampoos also have carcinogens in them. The bottom line is that we don't know the long-term effects of using those products continuously" he says.

-Green tea, which is plant-derived, may be an alternative, says Hsu. But scientists must work on developing delivery mechanisms, as the chemicals in green tea are so active that they are oxidized too quickly when mixed with other ingredients.

-They also dissolve in water, which cannot penetrate the skin's barrier.

-Researchers are looking for a balanced formula that can dissolve in fats, which can permeate the skin, Hsu says. He says human trials also need to be conducted.

Tue. Aug 21, 1:14pm

this new research is helpful because most "scientific" studies have somewhat discounted the overall health effects of green tea. This is how the Mayo Clinic grades the effectiveness of green tea.

Evidence
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence Grade*
Arthritis
Research indicates that green tea may benefit arthritis by reducing inflammation and slowing cartilage breakdown. Further studies are required before a recommendation can be made. C
Asthma
Research has shown caffeine to cause improvements in airflow to the lungs (bronchodilation). However, it is not clear if caffeine or tea use has significant benefits in people with asthma. Better research is needed in this area before a conclusion can be drawn. C
Cancer prevention
Overall, the relationship of green tea consumption and human cancer remains inconclusive. Evidence from well-designed clinical trials is needed before a firm recommendation can be made in this area. C
Dental cavity prevention
There is limited study of tea as a gargle (mouthwash) for the prevention of dental cavities (caries). It is not clear if this is a beneficial therapy. C
Diabetes
More studies are required to determine if green tea, and polyphenols, have any therapeutic benefit for diabetes prevention or treatment. C
Fertility
Early research using a combination product called FertilityBlend has been associated with some success in helping women to conceive. Further well-designed research on green tea alone for this use is needed before a conclusion can be drawn. C
Heart attack prevention
There is early suggestive evidence that regular intake of green tea may reduce the risk of heart attack or atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). Further well designed clinical trials are needed before a recommendation can be made in this area. C
High cholesterol or triglycerides
Laboratory, animal studies and limited human research suggest possible effects of green tea on cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Better human evidence is necessary in this area. C
Memory enhancement
Several preliminary studies have examined the effects of caffeine, tea, or coffee use on short and long-term memory. It remains unclear if tea is beneficial for this use. C
Menopausal symptoms
A study conducted in healthy postmenopausal women showed that a morning/evening menopausal formula containing green tea was effective in relieving menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and sleep disturbance. Further studies are needed to confirm these results. C
Mental performance/alertness
Limited, low-quality research reports that the use of green tea may improve cognition and sense of alertness. Green tea contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. C
Prostate cancer (treatment)
One clinical trial showed minimal benefit using 250 milligrams green tea extract capsules twice daily for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made. C
Sun protection/ skin damage
There is limited animal and human study of green tea as a protective agent of skin from ultraviolet light skin injury. Some study results conflict. Comparisons have not been made with well-established forms of sun protection such as ultraviolet protective sunscreen. The effects of green tea on skin damage caused by the sun remain unclear. C
Weight loss (maintenance)
There are several small human studies addressing the use of green tea extract (GTE) capsules for weight loss or weight maintenance in overweight or average weight individuals. Study results are mixed. Better research is needed before a recommendation can be made in this area. C
Anxiety
L-theanine is a predominant amino acid found in green tea. Preliminary research exists on the effects of this amino acid in comparison with the prescription drug alprazolam on experimentally induced anxiety. No benefit was found. D

Link

Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 1:33 PM

my belief that green tea is good for eczema is based on a lot of reading and experience. The scary thing is that with eczema if your skin is inflamed what else in your body is?

Thursday, August 23, 2007, 11:56 AM

green tea and excema

there are a lot of things that help excema, you should focus on things that reduce your body's toxic load. Drinking a lot of water, eating steamed broccoli, tomatoe juice help me.

Monday, September 10, 2007, 1:07 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge