We hear so much about yoga and women. What do you think yoga has to offer men?
First of all, more men take yoga than you think. My classes are about 30 to 50 percent men. I do think yoga has a lot to offer men. I just think it's harder for men to begin initially because of the male stereotypes in our society.
Men are supposed to be strong and goal oriented and to identify physically and mentally with sports. But what many men discover is that the stereotype of a strong, independent male is very isolating and doesn't really work. They begin to look inward and begin to move toward relationships with themselves and with others. Yoga is all about relationships between the body and the breath, the muscles and the skeletal structure, between your physical self and your emotions, your mind and your body, yourself and your community. It gives men permission to stop and listen to their inner voice.
Many men prefer the rigors of contact or competitive sports. Can a yoga practice help them perform their chosen sport better? How?
I think so. Every sport has a unique vocabulary and we often find it difficult to translate the kinesthetic language of one sport into another way of moving.
If we've trained for years to be a gymnast, for example, our body responds a certain way. Certain muscles are always contracted; others are loose. The body sets up particular neurological and neuromuscular patterns that stay the same and serve us in that sport. We breathe a certain way; we move a certain way. We often injure the same muscles or ligaments in the same way.
Yoga brings the body back into balance, into its natural alignment. Yoga, with its full spectrum of poses-prone, supine, backward bending, forward bending-can teach someone where imbalances and physical weaknesses are and can help strengthen the body. Yoga can help enhance an athlete's performance in his sport by teaching how to breathe properly, how to relax and how to gain flexibility.
What advice can you give men who may be interested in yoga but don't know how to begin?
Taking a yoga class in a health club is a good way to start. I'd also tell them not to get discouraged. Most men are very competitive and have used their bodies that way all their lives. Suddenly they come into a yoga class and everyone can do the poses so much better than they can. They begin to compare themselves to everyone else and it sometimes feels downright humiliating. Often their first inclination is to give up. Staying with it will not only be good for their body-giving strength, flexibility, and balance-but also good for balancing their mind and emotions.
I want to teach men that it's good to come up against obstacles, it's good to be faced with what you see as your weaknesses. By doing that, you not only begin to understand who you are, but you begin to develop a sense of compassion and acceptance.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Yoga for Cancer Recovery
You are diagnosed with cancer, receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, recovering from surgical tumor removal, or in remission. You may be dealing with symptoms or side effect, anxiety or emotional issues.
What can you do for yourself that will help ease your symptoms, give you more energy, calm your mind, and give you tools for accepting, loving and motivating yourself? Try yoga as an adjunct to your medical treatment.
Yoga is an ancient practice of integrating the body, breath, and mind. There are many different styles and ways to practice yoga. For cancer recovery, try gentle yoga, yoga therapy, restorative yoga, yoga for healing, and yoga for beginners. There are several books and videos for different age groups, levels, and considerations. Another option you have is to take a group class or work with a yoga teacher or yoga therapist one-on-one. Go with what motivates you to continue to practice.
One big motivation may also be your body. It may be calling for your attention with fatigue, less range of motion, or pain. In yoga, the body is addressed by practicing physical postures (also called asanas). These stimulate and balance all the systems of the body: musculoskeletal, nervous system, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and urogenital. As we now know, the whole person is affected when something is out of balance, as a number of postures are practiced in a sequence to address the whole body.
Depending on what parts of your body are affected, what type of cancer you have (or had), and your physical abilities, your practice will be specific to you. You may not be able to safely or comfortably do the posture the way the teacher or someone else is doing it. That's okay. Modify or change the position so it feels good for you. You will find out what works for you, what you are able to do, and what helps you to move in a positive direction.
When you are practicing a posture, do what you can without creating more pain. You may feel discomfort, but going to the point of sharp pain is not going to benefit you. Sometimes the postures are easier if you don't try as hard - if you actually do less. Ask yourself if you can let go of something: it could be tension or holding in the body, or it could be an expectation or judgment you have about yourself.
An important aspect of yoga is the integration of the breath with the movement or posture. To get a feel for this, you can gently squeeze and release the hands with coordination of the breath with the movement. Next, move to raising the arms at the rhythm of the breath. Then move on to practicing the postures attuned to the breath.
Breathing practices (also called pranayama) are also done for the benefit of improving efficient movement and lung capacity, as well as promoting calm and relaxation.
Remember to start slowly, and create a practice that is comfortable as well as challenging enough to keep you progressing toward a healthier, happier life.
What can you do for yourself that will help ease your symptoms, give you more energy, calm your mind, and give you tools for accepting, loving and motivating yourself? Try yoga as an adjunct to your medical treatment.
Yoga is an ancient practice of integrating the body, breath, and mind. There are many different styles and ways to practice yoga. For cancer recovery, try gentle yoga, yoga therapy, restorative yoga, yoga for healing, and yoga for beginners. There are several books and videos for different age groups, levels, and considerations. Another option you have is to take a group class or work with a yoga teacher or yoga therapist one-on-one. Go with what motivates you to continue to practice.
One big motivation may also be your body. It may be calling for your attention with fatigue, less range of motion, or pain. In yoga, the body is addressed by practicing physical postures (also called asanas). These stimulate and balance all the systems of the body: musculoskeletal, nervous system, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and urogenital. As we now know, the whole person is affected when something is out of balance, as a number of postures are practiced in a sequence to address the whole body.
Depending on what parts of your body are affected, what type of cancer you have (or had), and your physical abilities, your practice will be specific to you. You may not be able to safely or comfortably do the posture the way the teacher or someone else is doing it. That's okay. Modify or change the position so it feels good for you. You will find out what works for you, what you are able to do, and what helps you to move in a positive direction.
When you are practicing a posture, do what you can without creating more pain. You may feel discomfort, but going to the point of sharp pain is not going to benefit you. Sometimes the postures are easier if you don't try as hard - if you actually do less. Ask yourself if you can let go of something: it could be tension or holding in the body, or it could be an expectation or judgment you have about yourself.
An important aspect of yoga is the integration of the breath with the movement or posture. To get a feel for this, you can gently squeeze and release the hands with coordination of the breath with the movement. Next, move to raising the arms at the rhythm of the breath. Then move on to practicing the postures attuned to the breath.
Breathing practices (also called pranayama) are also done for the benefit of improving efficient movement and lung capacity, as well as promoting calm and relaxation.
Remember to start slowly, and create a practice that is comfortable as well as challenging enough to keep you progressing toward a healthier, happier life.
Yoga for your health and happiness
What is Yoga?
Since some years ago, many people were not aware of what yoga is. Some used to believe that practice of Yoga was akin to “magical performances” of the past such as bending bars and tearing plates, Breaking stones, walking on fire, remaining underground in a pit for several days, etc. In recent times, many people have begun to understand instead of wanting to know what yoga is, they are interested to know what among The different yoga practices should they follow for maintaining health, or for overcoming some common health problems.
Yoga is one of the very ancient Sanskrit works. It has two different meanings - a general meaning and a technical meaning. Both these meaning are not related with each other. In the general sense the word ‘yoga’ is deriven from the root “Yujir-yoge”, which means joining, coming together or union of any two or more things. The word ‘yoga’ has been used in the rigveda, one of the four vedas, of ancient test, to mean “unity of the intellect of the sages” or dheenam yogaminvati or “arrangement of verses” of Chhandasam yogam. In the Atharva veda, another of the four ancient texts, words such as ashtayogaih and shadyogebhih are used to indicate a plow pulled by eight for six bullocks respectively. Word such as viyoga, samyoga, agoga, prayoga, vinigoga, Sshayoga, are common examples of the use of the word ‘yoga’ even today in the general sense of ‘coming together’, derived from the root Yuji.
The technical meaning of the term 'Yoga' is derived from another root “yoji” (samadhau). Here the meaning of word is not “Union” ,but “a state of stability, stillness, and peace”. The word ‘yoga’ here indicates both the state of stillness and the means of practices which lead to that state. These practices include asanas, pranayama, dhyana, yana-niyanmas, etc. While in the Veds the word ‘yoga’ is used only in the general sense, there are texts ( such as the Bhagavad Gita) in which both the meanings are ascribed to that word. In the Gita, words such as buddhiyoga, Karmayoga are used which refer to the technical meaning . Many experts have said that at the time of Panini, the famous Sanskrit Garmmarian of the seventhcentury BC, both the meanings of the word – general and technical – yoga were already in use.
Since some years ago, many people were not aware of what yoga is. Some used to believe that practice of Yoga was akin to “magical performances” of the past such as bending bars and tearing plates, Breaking stones, walking on fire, remaining underground in a pit for several days, etc. In recent times, many people have begun to understand instead of wanting to know what yoga is, they are interested to know what among The different yoga practices should they follow for maintaining health, or for overcoming some common health problems.
Yoga is one of the very ancient Sanskrit works. It has two different meanings - a general meaning and a technical meaning. Both these meaning are not related with each other. In the general sense the word ‘yoga’ is deriven from the root “Yujir-yoge”, which means joining, coming together or union of any two or more things. The word ‘yoga’ has been used in the rigveda, one of the four vedas, of ancient test, to mean “unity of the intellect of the sages” or dheenam yogaminvati or “arrangement of verses” of Chhandasam yogam. In the Atharva veda, another of the four ancient texts, words such as ashtayogaih and shadyogebhih are used to indicate a plow pulled by eight for six bullocks respectively. Word such as viyoga, samyoga, agoga, prayoga, vinigoga, Sshayoga, are common examples of the use of the word ‘yoga’ even today in the general sense of ‘coming together’, derived from the root Yuji.
The technical meaning of the term 'Yoga' is derived from another root “yoji” (samadhau). Here the meaning of word is not “Union” ,but “a state of stability, stillness, and peace”. The word ‘yoga’ here indicates both the state of stillness and the means of practices which lead to that state. These practices include asanas, pranayama, dhyana, yana-niyanmas, etc. While in the Veds the word ‘yoga’ is used only in the general sense, there are texts ( such as the Bhagavad Gita) in which both the meanings are ascribed to that word. In the Gita, words such as buddhiyoga, Karmayoga are used which refer to the technical meaning . Many experts have said that at the time of Panini, the famous Sanskrit Garmmarian of the seventhcentury BC, both the meanings of the word – general and technical – yoga were already in use.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Eight Tips to Help Ease Your Dogs Arthritis Pain
* put him on a diet
* taking for a walk
* let him sleep in
* give them a soft cozy warm bed
* raises food and water bowls
* Build a ramp for him to use instead of stairs
* take him for a swim
* give him a coat or a sweater for winter.
* taking for a walk
* let him sleep in
* give them a soft cozy warm bed
* raises food and water bowls
* Build a ramp for him to use instead of stairs
* take him for a swim
* give him a coat or a sweater for winter.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
What is Depression?
What is Depression?
Depression is a medical Illness & not just a feeling of hopelessness. It's more then just feeling sad.
How common is Depression?
It's as common as the Common Cold. According to the World Health Organization, it's the Third Most Common Illness in the World after Infectious diseases & Heart disease. It's the 4th to the 10th most frequent diagnosis made by the family doctor.
Who is at risk to get Depression?
All of us are! An alive human being (with fair intelligence) is the greatest risk!! As confirmed by scientific data ¼ to 1/3 of us are going to have it once in lifetime. Every 3rd female and every 5th male will have it at least once.
What are the causes of Depression?
Biological
Psychological
Social
Biological causes:
I. Chemicals / Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers, which are critical in the transmission of nerve impulses in our brain and nerves. The level of certain neurotransmitters, NORADRENALINE & SEROTONIN are decreased in the brain. Most of the medications used for treating depression (Anti depressants) help in elevating the levels of these chemicals in the brain.
II. Genetic: For every possible physical and mental feature there is a gene in our cells. So is a gene for Depression. The parents of a depressed person are at a higher risk for depression. If a sibling has depressive illness then there is a 15% chance, that it will be there in another sibling .If the onset of depression is after the age of 40 yr. then chance of it being genetically transmitted is less.
Mental Health
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Depression
Visit to a psychiatrist
ECT
OCD
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III. Hormonal imbalance: Though the exact mechanisms are not understood but imbalance of female sex hormones can lead to depression. Depressions in the postmenopausal and post partum (after delivery) period are the examples.
Psychological causes:
I. Personality/ Attitudes: Following types of personality traits predispose to depressive illness.
Very ambitious
Anxious
Obsessive/perfectionist
Setting very high standards for self
Persons having above traits/attitudes are more likely to experience depressive episodes in their lives as compared to people who don't have such type of personality.
II. Coping strategies with life events: How we deal with stressful events like separation/divorce/death, etc. determines how predisposed we are to depression. People who are
Impulsive
Aggressive
Self centered
Are more likely to have depression.
Social causes and social supports:
A lot of stressful life events like death/divorce/disease predispose to depression.
Interpersonal relationships matter a lot - good relations with the friends / spouse / siblings have a positive effect in preventing depression.
Single people are more prone to depression than couples.
Similarly, studies have found divorced persons to be more prone to depression.
What are the features of depression?
Most of the people who feel low and depressed are given a lot of advice by friends and relatives. It is automatically assumed that these feelings of low energy / low mood are just a matter of time and would get better if the individual made a little effort to feel good and happy.
Persistence of such feelings of lethargy / low energy / low mood despite all this indicates that the person may be suffering from clinical depression. Following are the features that a depressed individual experiences.
Biological features (duration - 15 day or more)
Decreased sleep--- the person gets up very early in the morning say, at 3 am & can't sleep again. Frequent awakenings. Poor quality of sleep.
Decreased appetite/ weight
Dryness of mouth
Constipation
Reversed diurnal variation - everybody feels better in the morning but a depressed patient feels worst in morning & slightly better in noon to evening.
Generalized body ache - lot of poorly localized pains and aches like headaches, abdominal pains.
Easily fatigued & lethargic.
Panic features like palpitations and sweating.
Psychological features
I. Sadness of mood
II. Decreased pleasure & interest in activities which they enjoyed previously
III. Decreased attention, forgetfulness, like forgets where he/ she has kept things.
IV. Easily irritated
V. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OCCASIONALLY NO WISH TO LIVE.
BAD NEWS IS THAT THIS CONDITION CAN BE FATAL. 40% OF ALL SUICIDES REPORTED ARE IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION.
GOOD NEWS IS, IT IS EASILY DIAGNOSABLE & EASILY TREATABLE.
What are the treatments available for depression?
A number of medicines are available suitable to different Patients. Broadly these are termed as Anti Depressants. These drugs remain the mainstay of therapy for depression.
There are certain important things to be kept in mind regarding anti depressant use:
ADEQUATE DOSE, FOR ADEQUATE DURATION IS THE CARDINAL RULE.
SOMETIMES SMALL DOSES FOR LESS DURATION IS GIVEN BY NON SPECIALISTS It leads to incomplete recovery with frequent relapses.
Antidepressants are NOT sleeping pills.
THEY ARE NOT HABIT FORMING.
Depression is a medical Illness & not just a feeling of hopelessness. It's more then just feeling sad.
How common is Depression?
It's as common as the Common Cold. According to the World Health Organization, it's the Third Most Common Illness in the World after Infectious diseases & Heart disease. It's the 4th to the 10th most frequent diagnosis made by the family doctor.
Who is at risk to get Depression?
All of us are! An alive human being (with fair intelligence) is the greatest risk!! As confirmed by scientific data ¼ to 1/3 of us are going to have it once in lifetime. Every 3rd female and every 5th male will have it at least once.
What are the causes of Depression?
Biological
Psychological
Social
Biological causes:
I. Chemicals / Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers, which are critical in the transmission of nerve impulses in our brain and nerves. The level of certain neurotransmitters, NORADRENALINE & SEROTONIN are decreased in the brain. Most of the medications used for treating depression (Anti depressants) help in elevating the levels of these chemicals in the brain.
II. Genetic: For every possible physical and mental feature there is a gene in our cells. So is a gene for Depression. The parents of a depressed person are at a higher risk for depression. If a sibling has depressive illness then there is a 15% chance, that it will be there in another sibling .If the onset of depression is after the age of 40 yr. then chance of it being genetically transmitted is less.
Mental Health
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Depression
Visit to a psychiatrist
ECT
OCD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IndiaMART Network
IndiaMART Home
Gifts & Handicraft
Apparel & Textiles
Finance Investment
India News Online
Travel & Tourism
Online Shopping
Auto Junction
III. Hormonal imbalance: Though the exact mechanisms are not understood but imbalance of female sex hormones can lead to depression. Depressions in the postmenopausal and post partum (after delivery) period are the examples.
Psychological causes:
I. Personality/ Attitudes: Following types of personality traits predispose to depressive illness.
Very ambitious
Anxious
Obsessive/perfectionist
Setting very high standards for self
Persons having above traits/attitudes are more likely to experience depressive episodes in their lives as compared to people who don't have such type of personality.
II. Coping strategies with life events: How we deal with stressful events like separation/divorce/death, etc. determines how predisposed we are to depression. People who are
Impulsive
Aggressive
Self centered
Are more likely to have depression.
Social causes and social supports:
A lot of stressful life events like death/divorce/disease predispose to depression.
Interpersonal relationships matter a lot - good relations with the friends / spouse / siblings have a positive effect in preventing depression.
Single people are more prone to depression than couples.
Similarly, studies have found divorced persons to be more prone to depression.
What are the features of depression?
Most of the people who feel low and depressed are given a lot of advice by friends and relatives. It is automatically assumed that these feelings of low energy / low mood are just a matter of time and would get better if the individual made a little effort to feel good and happy.
Persistence of such feelings of lethargy / low energy / low mood despite all this indicates that the person may be suffering from clinical depression. Following are the features that a depressed individual experiences.
Biological features (duration - 15 day or more)
Decreased sleep--- the person gets up very early in the morning say, at 3 am & can't sleep again. Frequent awakenings. Poor quality of sleep.
Decreased appetite/ weight
Dryness of mouth
Constipation
Reversed diurnal variation - everybody feels better in the morning but a depressed patient feels worst in morning & slightly better in noon to evening.
Generalized body ache - lot of poorly localized pains and aches like headaches, abdominal pains.
Easily fatigued & lethargic.
Panic features like palpitations and sweating.
Psychological features
I. Sadness of mood
II. Decreased pleasure & interest in activities which they enjoyed previously
III. Decreased attention, forgetfulness, like forgets where he/ she has kept things.
IV. Easily irritated
V. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OCCASIONALLY NO WISH TO LIVE.
BAD NEWS IS THAT THIS CONDITION CAN BE FATAL. 40% OF ALL SUICIDES REPORTED ARE IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION.
GOOD NEWS IS, IT IS EASILY DIAGNOSABLE & EASILY TREATABLE.
What are the treatments available for depression?
A number of medicines are available suitable to different Patients. Broadly these are termed as Anti Depressants. These drugs remain the mainstay of therapy for depression.
There are certain important things to be kept in mind regarding anti depressant use:
ADEQUATE DOSE, FOR ADEQUATE DURATION IS THE CARDINAL RULE.
SOMETIMES SMALL DOSES FOR LESS DURATION IS GIVEN BY NON SPECIALISTS It leads to incomplete recovery with frequent relapses.
Antidepressants are NOT sleeping pills.
THEY ARE NOT HABIT FORMING.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
OVER WEIGHT
The prevalence of overweight & obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate.
There is a clear association between obesity / overweight and the risks in many diseases like:
Hypertension Diabetes Psychological Disturbances Hypercholestrolemia Osteoarthritis
Colonic cancer in men Skin Disorders
Gall stone formation Coronary artery diseases
Infertility and hirsutism (excess body hair)
Breast and Uterine Cancer in women Hyperlipidemia (excessive fats / lipids in blood)
How to Know your right body weight :
Body mass index (BMI) uses a mathematical formula and calculates your weight according to your height.
BMI is calculated as weight in Kgs. Divided by square of height in meters i.e. BMI = Kg / mtr2
Normal Range = 8.5 to 24.90
Over weight = 25 to 29.90
Obese = 30 to 39.90
Morbidly Obese = 40 and above
Guidance for Body Weight in Adults [ MEN AND WOMEN ] :
Height without Shoes Significantly Underweight Acceptable Range Obese Grossly Obese
In mtr. In Ft.in Wtin Kgs. Without clothes
1.45 4’9” 34 42 - 53 63 84
1.48 4’10” 35 44 – 55 66 88
1.50 4’11” 36 45 -- 56 68 90
1.52 5’0” 37 46 -- 58 69 92
1.54 5’1” 38 47 – 59 71 95
1.56 5’1” 39 49 -- 61 73 97
1.58 5’2” 40 50 – 62 75 100
1.60 5’3” 41 51 – 64 77 102
1.62 5’4” 42 52 – 66 79 105
1.64 5’5” 43 53 – 67 81 108
1.66 5’5” 44 55 -- 69 83 110
1.68 5’6” 45 56 – 71 85 113
1.70 5’7” 46 58 – 72 87 116
1.72 5’8” 47 59 – 74 89 118
1.74 5’8” 48 61 – 76 91 121
1.76 5’9” 50 62 – 78 93 124
1.78 5’10” 51 63 -- 79 95 127
There is a clear association between obesity / overweight and the risks in many diseases like:
Hypertension Diabetes Psychological Disturbances Hypercholestrolemia Osteoarthritis
Colonic cancer in men Skin Disorders
Gall stone formation Coronary artery diseases
Infertility and hirsutism (excess body hair)
Breast and Uterine Cancer in women Hyperlipidemia (excessive fats / lipids in blood)
How to Know your right body weight :
Body mass index (BMI) uses a mathematical formula and calculates your weight according to your height.
BMI is calculated as weight in Kgs. Divided by square of height in meters i.e. BMI = Kg / mtr2
Normal Range = 8.5 to 24.90
Over weight = 25 to 29.90
Obese = 30 to 39.90
Morbidly Obese = 40 and above
Guidance for Body Weight in Adults [ MEN AND WOMEN ] :
Height without Shoes Significantly Underweight Acceptable Range Obese Grossly Obese
In mtr. In Ft.in Wtin Kgs. Without clothes
1.45 4’9” 34 42 - 53 63 84
1.48 4’10” 35 44 – 55 66 88
1.50 4’11” 36 45 -- 56 68 90
1.52 5’0” 37 46 -- 58 69 92
1.54 5’1” 38 47 – 59 71 95
1.56 5’1” 39 49 -- 61 73 97
1.58 5’2” 40 50 – 62 75 100
1.60 5’3” 41 51 – 64 77 102
1.62 5’4” 42 52 – 66 79 105
1.64 5’5” 43 53 – 67 81 108
1.66 5’5” 44 55 -- 69 83 110
1.68 5’6” 45 56 – 71 85 113
1.70 5’7” 46 58 – 72 87 116
1.72 5’8” 47 59 – 74 89 118
1.74 5’8” 48 61 – 76 91 121
1.76 5’9” 50 62 – 78 93 124
1.78 5’10” 51 63 -- 79 95 127
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Green Tea for Long Life?
Japanese Study Shows Link Between Green Tea Drinkers and Lower Death Risk
People who drink at least a pint of green tea each day have a lower risk of death, a Japanese study shows.
The lower overall death risk among green tea drinkers appears to be due to a lower risk of death from heart disease. And the benefit of green tea is especially pronounced in women, find Shinichi Kuriyama, MD, PhD, Tohoku University School of Public Policy in Sendai, Japan, and colleagues.
Green tea is a very popular drink in Japan. But some people drink more than others do. Women who drink five or more 3.4-ounce cups of green tea every day cut their risk of heart disease by 31% compared with women who drink one or fewer 3.4-ounce cups. Men who drink this much green tea cut their heart disease risk by 22%.
"Green tea may prolong your life through reducing heart disease and stroke," Kuriyama tells WebMD. "Our findings might explain the differences in mortality profile between Japan and the United States. The Japanese age-adjusted rate of mortality due to [heart disease and stroke] is about 30% lower than that of the United States."
The findings appear in the Sept. 13 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Green Tea: Might Americans Benefit?
Kuriyama's study is based on data collected since 1994 among more than 40,000 healthy Japanese people aged 40 to 79. More than 86% of the study participants remained in the study for 11 years. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires about their daily diets and health.
The study was conducted with meticulous care. But Kuriyama is quick to point out that this kind of study can't prove green tea has any beneficial effect. Proof comes only from a clinical trial in which some people get green tea and others do not. The Kuriyama study shows only that there is a link between green tea and lower death risk -- not that green tea causes lower death risk.
More Benefits for Women?
Why do women seem to get more of a benefit from green tea than men do? Kuriyama and colleagues note that the men in their study smoked more cigarettes than women did. And smokers, overall, got less of a benefit from green tea than nonsmokers.
But Cheng says it's related to estrogen. Green tea studies consistently show a greater effect for women than for men, he says. He suggests that green tea's active ingredients may interact with the female sex hormone estrogen to boost a heart-protective effect.
Green Tea: No Effect on Cancer
Kuriyama and colleagues found no evidence that green tea protects against cancer death.
Kuriyama says that was a surprise to him, as "abundant" evidence from animal and test-tube studies suggests that green tea ingredients fight cancer.
But he notes that the current findings are in line with other, smaller studies that find green tea has no effect on several specific kinds of cancer.
Green Tea Warnings
While it's yet to be proved that green tea really will protect you against early death, there's a lot of evidence that green tea is safe -- with two major exceptions.
Cheng warns that green tea contains vitamin K. Vitamin K affects blood clotting. People taking the blood-thinning drug Coumadin, he says, should not start drinking more green tea.
And Kuriyama warns against drinking your green tea piping hot.
"Drinking green tea at high temperature may be associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer," he says. "Therefore, I recommend that green tea should be consumed at moderate or low temperature."
What's the bottom line? For Lichtenstein, the message is to go ahead and drink green tea if you like it. But to prevent heart disease and stroke, what really works is a healthy diet and daily exercise.
Neither Kuriyama nor Cheng would disagree with that. But they both recommend green tea, too.
"I personally drink two to three cups of green tea per day," Kuriyama says. "On the basis of our study results, I would like to recommend the drinking of green tea to my friends and my family because our findings are the best evidence at present."
Cheng says green tea is much better for you than oolong tea or black tea, which lose some healthy properties during fermentation. But that's not why he drinks it.
People who drink at least a pint of green tea each day have a lower risk of death, a Japanese study shows.
The lower overall death risk among green tea drinkers appears to be due to a lower risk of death from heart disease. And the benefit of green tea is especially pronounced in women, find Shinichi Kuriyama, MD, PhD, Tohoku University School of Public Policy in Sendai, Japan, and colleagues.
Green tea is a very popular drink in Japan. But some people drink more than others do. Women who drink five or more 3.4-ounce cups of green tea every day cut their risk of heart disease by 31% compared with women who drink one or fewer 3.4-ounce cups. Men who drink this much green tea cut their heart disease risk by 22%.
"Green tea may prolong your life through reducing heart disease and stroke," Kuriyama tells WebMD. "Our findings might explain the differences in mortality profile between Japan and the United States. The Japanese age-adjusted rate of mortality due to [heart disease and stroke] is about 30% lower than that of the United States."
The findings appear in the Sept. 13 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Green Tea: Might Americans Benefit?
Kuriyama's study is based on data collected since 1994 among more than 40,000 healthy Japanese people aged 40 to 79. More than 86% of the study participants remained in the study for 11 years. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires about their daily diets and health.
The study was conducted with meticulous care. But Kuriyama is quick to point out that this kind of study can't prove green tea has any beneficial effect. Proof comes only from a clinical trial in which some people get green tea and others do not. The Kuriyama study shows only that there is a link between green tea and lower death risk -- not that green tea causes lower death risk.
More Benefits for Women?
Why do women seem to get more of a benefit from green tea than men do? Kuriyama and colleagues note that the men in their study smoked more cigarettes than women did. And smokers, overall, got less of a benefit from green tea than nonsmokers.
But Cheng says it's related to estrogen. Green tea studies consistently show a greater effect for women than for men, he says. He suggests that green tea's active ingredients may interact with the female sex hormone estrogen to boost a heart-protective effect.
Green Tea: No Effect on Cancer
Kuriyama and colleagues found no evidence that green tea protects against cancer death.
Kuriyama says that was a surprise to him, as "abundant" evidence from animal and test-tube studies suggests that green tea ingredients fight cancer.
But he notes that the current findings are in line with other, smaller studies that find green tea has no effect on several specific kinds of cancer.
Green Tea Warnings
While it's yet to be proved that green tea really will protect you against early death, there's a lot of evidence that green tea is safe -- with two major exceptions.
Cheng warns that green tea contains vitamin K. Vitamin K affects blood clotting. People taking the blood-thinning drug Coumadin, he says, should not start drinking more green tea.
And Kuriyama warns against drinking your green tea piping hot.
"Drinking green tea at high temperature may be associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer," he says. "Therefore, I recommend that green tea should be consumed at moderate or low temperature."
What's the bottom line? For Lichtenstein, the message is to go ahead and drink green tea if you like it. But to prevent heart disease and stroke, what really works is a healthy diet and daily exercise.
Neither Kuriyama nor Cheng would disagree with that. But they both recommend green tea, too.
"I personally drink two to three cups of green tea per day," Kuriyama says. "On the basis of our study results, I would like to recommend the drinking of green tea to my friends and my family because our findings are the best evidence at present."
Cheng says green tea is much better for you than oolong tea or black tea, which lose some healthy properties during fermentation. But that's not why he drinks it.
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