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 Submitted by DASH (5/2/2008 8:29:58 AM)
Hi. A friend, who is re-doing her pantry, recently asked me whether she
should throw away a whole bunch of old tea bags (some many years old) or
if they would still be OK to use. I told her I thought most of the
nutritional/health value might be gone but I didn't know whether there
could be any possible ill effects from drinking the tea if she chooses
to use them. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Dr. Paul's Reply (5/2/2008 9:24:02 AM)
Hello Dash,
Absolutely. Although tea does not lose its nutritional value it loses its vital flavors after a few months on a shelf. Green tea is even more sensitive to shelf time than black tea. Older teas taste dead and lifeless after a while. On the other hand, sitting on a shelf will not, in itself, produce ill effects. I would certainly throw it all out and start to explore the ever-changing world of teas now available. Try some loose-leaf teas and compare them with bagged teas. Often, they bring a more complex, interesting flavor profile than the boxed bagged teas. Thanks for your question. |
Submitted by Mrs. P (3/28/2008 8:09:30 PM)
About 6 years ago, the stiffness all over my body, interfered with my daily activities. After numerous tests, whch were inconclusive, I was put on Sinemet and Mirapex. It worked, I am still on it ; it was in late 2004. Everything was going fine, suddenly in April of 2007, I started to get dizzy spells; I was showing low blood pressure and was put on cortizone. It worked until 12/2007. I was also on Paxil since 2004, I suddenly stopped it in 11/2007, for 2 reasons--cardiologist told me Paxil and Mirapex could lower the BP and I was feeling so good that I felt like i din't need it any more. In 12/2007 I started to get episodes about twice a day, light headedness and uncoordination. I am fine now. What could be the reason for all?
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/29/2008 9:14:16 AM)
Hello Mrs. P.
I am sorry to hear about your illness but am totally not qualified to offer any advice. I suggest you see your doctor. I look forward to any questions you may have about tea in the future. Thanks for your question. Hope you find some answers.
Dr. Paul |
Submitted by Niyati (3/27/2008 10:15:05 AM)
re: CAN BLACK TEA HELP PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN? (update #38) - this study wasn't mentioned in class, but you have a question regarding it on the study guide. Do we go with the stuff mentioned in class or include this study even though it wasn't mentioned in class. thanks.
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/27/2008 10:28:53 AM)
Hello Niyati,
Yes, Update #38 and #9 of the Tea and Diabetes-Obesity Series are using the same reference and both say essentially the same thing: The theaflavins in black tea slow the liver cell's synthesis of fatty acids used to make fat. It is probably easiest to use #9, the one I referred to in class. Thanks for your question.
Dr. Paul
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Submitted by Jared (3/27/2008 3:06:26 AM)
Dr. Paul,
I recently read somewhere that tea helps with bad breath by affecting the bacteria that cause it. Have you heard of any evidence to support this idea?
Jared
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/27/2008 9:49:04 AM)
Hello Jared,
Yes, tea can help reduce the three things that most often cause bad breath: bacterial growth, residual food materials in the mouth and dry mouth. The polyphenols of tea (black and green) not only help remove bacteria from the mouth but they also slow bacterial build up on the tooth surfaces. That is, tea reduces bacterial numbers. The polyphenols of tea also work a little like a detergent cleaning the mouth of fermenting residual food materials much better than saliva. Thirdly, the water in tea helps to rehydrate the body and mouth so the latter is not so dry. Hope that helps. Dr. Paul
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Submitted by Niyati (3/26/2008 7:58:06 PM)
You mentioned update #10 - what I have in my notes is that glutathione peroxidase causes the oxidation; causing senescence - green tea catechins inhibit this enzyme activity. It went pretty fast, so I might have it wrong in my notes. So, I should just look at the other study?
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/26/2008 9:06:19 PM)
Hello Niyati,
It is possible that I miss spoke in class; I really don't know. Most important, let's go with Update #10 that glutathione peroxidase is an antioxidant that counters senescence but declines with age. Green tea appears to counter this decline in glutathione peroxidase and therefore counters senescence. Sounds complicated doesn't it. Thanks for your question. Dr. Paul
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Submitted by Niyati (3/26/2008 5:52:23 PM)
Glutahione perioxidase is good or bad for the brain - I have it that it is good in one study (a natural antioxidant) and bad in another (causes oxidation) and senescene. Obviously, I have it wrong in one of the cases. thanks.
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/26/2008 6:43:27 PM)
Hello Niyati,
Please use Update #10 (March 5 07) where it says that the natural antioxidant glutathione peroxidase declines with age. It also says that oxidation forwards senescence. The point of the study was that green tea appears to slow the decline in glutathione peroxidase so that it is a better antioxidant for the brain cells and this slows senescence. Would you please tell me what the other study "and bad in another (causes oxidation) and senescence" you are referring to?
Dr. Holmgren |
Submitted by Niyati (3/26/2008 2:43:50 PM)
Did you say in class that the text in the lectures would be available on your website? If so, where would I find them? thanks.
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/26/2008 3:38:59 PM)
Hello Niyati,
Not exactly? I did, however, present information using references--all of which are available to you in my website. For example, when we discussed the potential role of tea in preventing collagen breakdown I was using Update #4 (Jan 22, 07)as a reference which is available. All of the other references I used are available as well. Hope that helps. If not, ask again.
Dr. Paul |
Submitted by jon (3/26/2008 10:44:49 AM)
When you say that the paper shoule be about 2-3 pages long is that single spaced or double spaced?
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/26/2008 1:55:44 PM)
Hello Jon,
I was thinking that your papers would be double spaced but single spaced is fine too. Either way would be good.
Dr. Paul |
Submitted by Iona (3/25/2008 8:52:41 PM)
Dr. Paul,
My question is concerning the paper due on Thursday. I know you left the topic somewhat open but is there any specific criteria other than length?
Thanks for your help,
Iona
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/25/2008 10:07:10 PM)
Hello Iona,
No, there are no specific criteria. I'm just wanting to know that you learned something about tea and health using my website as your resource. I was thinking that the paper would be about 2-3 pages. That is about it. Hope that helps.
Dr. Paul |
Submitted by Niyati (3/25/2008 7:52:32 PM)
Dr. Paul,
Your #6 in 'oral' doesn't exist - it is the same as #5 - please check.
Dr. Paul's Reply (3/25/2008 8:15:03 PM)
Hello Niyati
I am not sure what you are asking. I just checked the "Tea & Oral Health" References and there are 6 of them. Although both 5 and 6 have the same title, they refer to different references. Hope that helps. If it doesn't, please try me again.
Dr. Paul |
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