During the recent years, considering specific preventive role of astatines in patients at high risk of acute cardiovascular attacks, astatines are widely consumed. Considering respective statistics in 2006, 76% of unexpected sale has been allocated to Astatines for 26.- Billion Dollars.
As reported by the reporter for site of Borderless Physicians, various clinical studies recently contracted all over the world on astatines have shown advantages of controllers of 3 hydroxy 3 methylglutaryl coenzyme a hmg coa retractase inhibitors with astatines have been propounded for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. According to the results of studies, it has been found that in addition to its simple effect on decrease of blood cholesterol, astatine enjoys other remarkable advantages and these medical compounds may also be used for treatment and prevention of non-cardiac disorders such as cancers, infections, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic occlusive diseases, chronic occlusive pulmonary disorders and other functional pulmonary complications and polycystic ovary syndrome accordingly. It should be mentioned that role of astatines in treatment or prevention of the aforesaid diseases has not been proved yet.
Astatines prevent cellular multiplication and enjoy anti-inflammatory and immunity suppressing effect. Thus, we may use this group of medicines for recovery of specific diseases.
What is it?
Black tea is a product made from the Camellia sinesis plant. The aged leaves and stems are used to make medicine. Green tea, which is made from fresh leaves of the same plant, has some different properties.
Black tea is used for improving mental alertness as well as learning, memory and information processing skills. It is also used for treating headache and low blood pressure; preventing heart disease, including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) and heart attack; preventing Parkinson's disease; and reducing the risk of stomach and colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. It is also used for type 2 diabetes, stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, and as a diuretic to increase urine flow. Some people use black tea for preventing tooth decay and kidney stones. In combination with various other products, black tea is used for weight loss.
In foods, black tea is consumed as a hot or cold beverage.
How effective is it?
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
The effectiveness ratings for BLACK TEA are as follows:
Likely effective for...
Mental alertness. Drinking black tea and other caffeinated beverages throughout the day helps to keep people alert, even after extended periods without sleep.
Possibly effective for...
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Early research shows that people who drink black tea seem to have a reduced risk of having their arteries become hardened. This link is stronger in women than men.
Low blood pressure after eating (postprandial hypotension). Drinking beverages containing caffeine, such as black tea, helps increase blood pressure in older people who have low blood pressure after eating.
Kidney stones. Women who drink black tea seem to have an 8% lower risk of developing kidney stones.
Heart attacks. Some research shows that people who drink black tea have a lower risk of having a heart attack. Also, people who have been drinking black tea for at least a year before having a heart attack seem to be less likely to die after having a heart attack.
Brittle bones (osteoporosis). Early research shows that older women who drink more black tea seem to have stronger bones. Drinking more black tea also seems to be linked with a lower risk of hip fracture in older men and women.
Ovarian cancer. Women who regularly drink tea, including black tea or green tea, appear to have a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who never or rarely drink tea.
Parkinson's disease. Some research shows that people who drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and cola have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease. The lower risk seems to be directly related to the dose of caffeine in men but not women. Drinking black tea also appears to be linked with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease among people who smoke cigarettes.
Possibly ineffective for...
Breast cancer. People who drink black tea do not seem to have a lower risk of breast cancer.
Colon and rectal cancer. Some early research suggests that drinking black or green tea might be linked with a lower risk of colon and rectal cancer. However, most research shows that drinking tea is not linked with a lower risk of colon and rectal cancer. In fact, some early research suggests that drinking higher amounts of black tea might be linked with an increased risk of colon and rectal cancer.
Diabetes. Early research suggests that taking an extract of black and green tea does not improve HbA1C levels in people with diabetes. HbA1C is a measure of blood sugar control. Other early research suggests that drinking at least one cup of black tea per day is not linked with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in Japanese adults.
Stomach cancer. Some early research suggests that drinking black or green tea might be linked with a lower risk of stomach cancer. However, most research shows that people who drink black or green tea do not have a lower risk. In fact, some early research suggests that drinking higher amounts of black tea might be linked with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
High cholesterol. Some research shows that black tea might reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol in people with normal or high cholesterol levels. However, most research shows that drinking black tea does not have these effects.
High blood pressure. Some early research suggests that people who regularly drink green or black tea have a lower risk of having high systolic blood pressure, which is the top number of a blood pressure reading. However, most research shows that drinking black tea does not reduce blood pressure in people with normal or high blood pressure.
Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...
Bladder cancer. Some early research suggests that people who drink black or green tea might have a lower risk of urinary tract cancers. However, other research shows that drinking black tea is not linked with a reduced risk of bladder cancer.
Heart disease. Some early research suggests that people who regularly drink black tea have a lower risk of developing heart disease. However, other research suggests that drinking black tea is linked with an increased risk of heart disease becoming worse or causing death.
Cavities. Early research suggests that rinsing with a black tea extract might prevent cavities.
Kidney cancer. Early research suggests that people who drink more black or green tea have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer.
Lung cancer. Green tea and black tea contain chemicals called phytoestrogens. Some research shows that men who get more phytoestrogens in their diet have a lower risk of developing lung cancer than men who do not get these chemicals. However other early research suggests that drinking black tea is not linked with a reduced risk of lung cancer and may even be linked with an increased risk.
Mouth cancer. Early research shows that black tea might help prevent mouth cancer in patients with lesions in the mouth that may turn into cancer.
Pancreatic cancer. Some early research suggests that drinking black tea is linked with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer risk. However, other research shows conflicting results.
Prostate cancer. Early evidence suggests that drinking black tea is linked with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Stress. Early research suggests that drinking black tea for 6 weeks does not improve blood pressure, heart rate, or feelings of stress ratings while performing stressful tasks.
Stroke. Black tea contains chemicals called flavonoids. Early research suggests that eating a diet that contains flavonoids is linked with a lower risk of stroke.
Weight loss. Early research suggests that taking a combination product containing black tea extract plus green tea extract, asparagus, guarana, kidney bean, and mate along with a combination of kidney bean pods, garcinia, and chromium yeast for 12 weeks does not reduce body weight in overweight adults.
Stomach disorders.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Headache.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of black tea for these uses.
How does it work?
Black tea contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It also contains antioxidants and other substances that might help protect the heart and blood vessels.
Are there safety concerns?
Drinking moderate amounts of black tea is LIKELY SAFE for most adults.
Drinking too much black tea, such as more than five cups per day, is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. High amounts of black tea can cause side effects due to the caffeine in black tea. These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremor, heartburn, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and confusion. Also, people who drink black tea or other caffeinated beverages all the time, especially in large amounts, can develop psychological dependence.
Drinking very high amounts of black tea containing more than 10 grams of caffeine is LIKELY UNSAFE. Doses of black tea this high might cause death or other severe side effects.
Caffeine is PROBABLY SAFE in children in amounts commonly found in foods.
Special precautions & warnings:
Children: Black tea is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth by children in amounts commonly found in foods.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, drinking black tea in small amounts is POSSIBLY SAFE. Do not drink more than 3 cups a day of black tea. This amount of tea provides about 200 mg of caffeine. Consuming more than this amount during pregnancy is POSSIBLY UNSAFE and has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other negative effects, including symptoms of caffeine withdrawal in newborns and lower birth weight.
If you are breast-feeding, drinking more than 3 cups a day of black tea is POSSIBLY UNSAFE and might cause your baby to become more irritable and have more bowel movements.
Anemia: Drinking black tea may make anemia worse in people with iron deficiency.
Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in black tea might make these conditions worse.
Bleeding disorders: There is some reason to believe that the caffeine in black tea might slow blood clotting, though this hasn’t been shown in people. Use caffeine cautiously if you have a bleeding disorder.
Heart problems: Caffeine in black tea can cause irregular heartbeat in certain people. If you have a heart condition, use caffeine with caution.
Diabetes: The caffeine in black tea might affect blood sugar. Use black tea with caution if you have diabetes.
Diarrhea: Black tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in black tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.
Seizures: Black tea contains caffeine. There is a concern that high doses of caffeine might cause seizures or decrease the effects of drugs used to prevent seizures. If you have ever had a seizure, don’t use high doses of caffeine or caffeine-containing supplements such as black tea.
Glaucoma: Drinking caffeinated black tea increases the pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Black tea might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use black tea.
High blood pressure: The caffeine in black tea might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this doesn't seem to occur in people who drink black tea or other caffeinated products regularly.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Black tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in black tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.
Brittle bones (osteoporosis): Drinking caffeinated black tea can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. This might weaken bones. Don’t drink more than 300 mg of caffeine per day (approximately 2-3 cups of black tea). Taking extra calcium may help to make up for calcium losses. Older women who have a genetic condition that affects the way they use vitamin D, should use caffeine with caution.
Overactive bladder: The caffeine in black tea might increase the risk of developing an overactive bladder. Also, black tea might increase symptoms in people who already have an overactive bladder. Black tea should be used with caution in these people.
Are there interactions with medications?
Moderate
Be cautious with this combination.
Adenosine (Adenocard)
Black tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in black tea might block the effects of adenosine (Adenocard). Adenosine (Adenocard) is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop drinking black tea or other caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.
Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics)
The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Some antibiotics might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these antibiotics along with black tea can increase the risk of side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heart rate, and other side effects.
Some antibiotics that decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin (Raxar).
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are drugs that have calming effects. Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant. Taking black tea along with benzodiazepines might block the calming effects of can benzodiazepines. Some benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Carbamazepine is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in black tea can decrease the effects of carbamazepine. Taking black tea with carbamazepine might decrease the effects of carbamazepine and increase the risk of seizures in some people.
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can decrease how quickly your body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine (Tagamet) along with black tea might increase the chance of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and others.
Clozapine (Clozaril)
The body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril) to get rid of it. The caffeine in black tea seems to decrease how quickly the body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril). Taking black tea along with clozapine (Clozaril) can increase the effects and side effects of clozapine (Clozaril).
Dipyridamole (Persantine)
Black tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in black tea might block the affects of dipyridamole (Persantine). Dipyridamole (Persantine) is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop drinking black tea or other caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Disulfiram (Antabuse) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking black tea (which contains caffeine) along with disulfiram (Antabuse) might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine including jitteriness, hyperactivity, irritability, and others.
Ephedrine
Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine and ephedrine are both stimulant drugs. Taking black tea along with ephedrine might cause too much stimulation and sometimes serious side effects and heart problems. Do not take caffeine containing products and ephedrine at the same time.
Estrogens
The body breaks down the caffeine in black tea to get rid of it. Estrogens can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking estrogen pills and drinking black tea can cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects. If you take estrogen pills, limit your caffeine intake.
Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
Ethosuximide
Ethosuximide is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in black tea can decrease the effects of ethosuximide. Taking black tea with ethosuximide might decrease the effects of ethosuximide and increase the risk of seizures in some people.
Felbamate
Felbamate is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in black tea can decrease the effects of felbamate. Taking black tea with felbamate might decrease the effects of felbamate and increase the risk of seizures in some people.
Flutamide (Eulexin)
The body breaks down flutamide (Eulexin) to get rid of it. Caffeine in black tea might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of flutamide. This could cause flutamide to stay in the body too long and increase the risk of side effects.
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
The body breaks down the caffeine in black tea to get rid of it. Fluvoxamine (Luvox) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with fluvoxamine (Luvox) might cause too much caffeine in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
Lithium
Your body naturally gets rid of lithium. The caffeine in black tea can increase how quickly your body gets rid of lithium. If you take products that contain caffeine and you take lithium, stop taking caffeine products slowly. Stopping caffeine too quickly can increase the side effects of lithium.
Medications for asthma (Beta-adrenergic agonists)
Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the heart. Some medications for asthma can also stimulate the heart. Taking caffeine with some medications for asthma might cause too much stimulation and cause heart problems.
Some medications for asthma include albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin, Volmax), metaproterenol (Alupent), terbutaline (Bricanyl, Brethine), and isoproterenol (Isuprel).
Medications for depression (MAOIs)
The caffeine in black tea can stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can also stimulate the body. Drinking black tea and taking some medications for depression might cause too much stimulation of the body and serious side effects including fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, nervousness, and others.
Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.
Medications that change the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) inhibitors)
Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine is broken down by the liver. Some medications decrease how well the liver breaks down other medications. These medications that change the liver might decrease how fast caffeine in black tea is broken down in the body. This might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine in black tea. Some medications that change the liver include cimetidine (Tagamet), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine might slow blood clotting. Taking black tea along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Nicotine
Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the heart. Nicotine can also stimulate the heart. Taking caffeine with nicotine might cause too much stimulation and cause heart problems, such as increased heart rate or blood pressure.
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
The stimulant effects of the caffeine in black tea can block the sleep-producing effects of pentobarbital.
Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in black tea can decrease the effects of phenobarbital. Taking black tea with phenobarbital might decrease the effects of phenobarbital and increase the risk of seizures in some people.
Phenylpropanolamine
The caffeine in black tea can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. Taking caffeine and phenylpropanolamine together might cause too much stimulation and increase heartbeat, blood pressure, and cause nervousness.
Phenytoin
Phenytoin is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in black tea can decrease the effects of phenytoin. Taking black tea with phenytoin might decrease the effects of phenytoin and increase the risk of seizures in some people.
Riluzole (Rilutek)
The body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) to get rid of it. Drinking black tea can decrease how quickly the body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) and increase the effects and side effects of riluzole.
Stimulant drugs
Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. The caffeine in black tea can also speed up the nervous system. Drinking black tea along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with black tea.
Some stimulant drugs include diethylpropion (Tenuate), epinephrine, phentermine (Ionamin), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), and many others.
Theophylline
Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine works similarly to theophylline. Caffeine can also decrease how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. This might cause increased effects and side effects of theophylline.
Valproate
Valproate is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in black tea can decrease the effects of valproate. Taking black tea with valproate might decrease the effects of valproate and increase the risk of seizures in some people.
Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
The body breaks down the caffeine in black tea to get rid of it. Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Drinking black tea and taking verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can increase the risk of side effects for caffeine including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. Large amounts of black tea might decrease how well warfarin (Coumadin) slows blood clotting. Decreasing how well warfarin (Coumadin) slows blood clotting might increase the risk of clotting. It is unclear why this interaction might occur. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine, especially in excessive amounts, can reduce potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking caffeine-containing products along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.
Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDIURIL, Microzide), and others.
Minor
Be watchful with this combination.
Alcohol
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down the caffeine in black tea to get rid of it. Alcohol can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking black tea along with alcohol might cause too much caffeine in the bloodstream and caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.
Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking black tea along with birth control pills might cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects.
Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluconazole (Diflucan) might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. This could cause caffeine to stay in the body too long and increase the risk of side effects such as nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.
Medications for depression (Tricyclic antidepressants)
Black tea contains chemicals called tannins. Tannins can bind to many medications and decrease how much medicine the body absorbs. To avoid this interaction, avoid black tea 1 hour before and 2 hours after taking medications for depression called tricyclic antidepressants.
Some medications for depression include amitriptyline (Elavil) or imipramine (Tofranil, Janimine).
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine might increase blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. By increasing blood sugar, black tea might decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
METFORMIN (Glucophage)
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Metformin (Glucophage) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking black tea along with metformin might cause too much caffeine in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
Methoxsalen (Oxsoralen)
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Methoxsalen (Oxsoralen) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with methoxsalen might cause too much caffeine in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
Mexiletine (Mexitil)
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Mexiletine (Mexitil) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking Mexiletine (Mexitil) along with black tea might increase the caffeine effects and side effects of black tea.
Phenothiazines
Black tea contains chemicals called tannins. Tannins can bind to many medications and decrease how much medicine the body absorbs. To avoid this interaction, avoid black tea one hour before and two hours after taking phenothiazine medications.
Some phenothiazine medications include fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine).
Terbinafine (Lamisil)
The body breaks down the caffeine in black tea to get rid of it. Terbinafine (Lamisil) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine and increase the risk of side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heartbeat, and other effects.
Tiagabine
Black tea contains caffeine. Taking caffeine over a long time period along with tiagabine can increase the amount of tiagabine in the body. This might increase the side effects of tiagabine.
Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
The body breaks down the caffeine in black tea to get rid of it. Ticlopidine (Ticlid) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking black tea along with ticlopidine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine, including jitteriness, hyperactivity, irritability, and others.
Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?
Bitter orange
Using bitter orange along with other products that contain caffeine, such as black tea, can increase blood pressure and heart rate in otherwise healthy adults with normal blood pressure. This could increase the risk of serious heart problems.
Caffeine-containing herbs and supplements
Black tea contains caffeine. Using it along with other herbs and supplements that contain caffeine might increase the risk of caffeine side effects. Natural products that contain caffeine include coffee, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, guarana, mate, and others.
Calcium
High caffeine intake from foods and beverages, including black tea, flushes calcium out of the body in the urine.
Cordyceps
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Cordyceps might increase how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. This might decrease the effects of caffeine.
Creatine
There is some concern that combining caffeine, an ingredient in black tea, with ephedra and creatine might increase the risk of serious harmful effects. There is a report of stroke in an athlete who consumed 6 grams of creatine monohydrate, 400-600 mg of caffeine, 40-60 mg of ephedra, and a variety of other supplements daily for 6 weeks. Caffeine might also decrease whatever benefit creatine might have on athletic performance.
Danshen
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Danshen can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Drinking black tea and taking danshen might increase the risk of side effects for caffeine, including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.
Echinacea
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Echinacea can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Drinking black tea and taking echinacea might increase the risk of side effects for caffeine, including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.
Ephedra (Ma huang)
Ephedra and black tea are both stimulants. They speed up the central nervous system. Using them together might speed it up too much, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, seizures, and death. Don't take black tea with ephedra or other stimulants.
Folic acid
Black tea might reduce the amount of folate that the body can absorb and use.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting
Black tea might slow blood clotting. Using it along with other herbs and supplements that might also slow blood clotting could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in some people. Some of these herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, and others.
Iron
Black tea might interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron. This probably isn't a problem for most people, unless they are iron-deficient. If this is the case, drink tea between meals rather than with meals to lessen this interaction.
Kudzu
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Kudzu can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Drinking black tea and taking kudzu might increase the risk of side effects for caffeine, including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.
Magnesium
Drinking large amounts of black tea can increase the amount of magnesium that is flushed out in the urine.
Melatonin
Black tea contains caffeine. Taking caffeine and melatonin together can increase melatonin levels. Caffeine can also increase natural melatonin levels in healthy individuals.
Red clover
Black tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Chemicals in red clover can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Drinking black tea and taking red clover might increase the risk of side effects for caffeine, including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.
Are there interactions with foods?
Iron
Black tea might interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron. This probably isn't a problem for most people, unless they are iron-deficient. If this is the case, drink tea between meals rather than with meals to lessen this interaction.
Milk
Adding milk to black tea appears to reduce some of the heart health benefits of drinking tea. Milk might bind with the antioxidants in tea and keep them from being absorbed. However, not all research confirms this. More evidence is needed to determine just how important this interaction, if any, might be.
What dose is used?
An 8-ounce serving of black tea provides from 40-120 mg of caffeine, the active ingredient.
Beta carotene is a member of the carotenoid family belonging to the isoprenoid compounds, which are polyunsaturates with antioxidant properties. The formula for beta carotene is C40H56 and it can exist as cis- or trans-isomers. Most of the naturally-occurring and synthesized forms of beta exists as the all-trans isomer.
Where is beta carotene found?
Beta carotene is produced by plants and microorganisms, with the main sources being yellow or orange and green-leaved vegetables or fruits such as sweet potato, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, butternut squash and apricots.
Beta carotene is also available as supplements, which may be synthetic or derived from palm oil, algae or fungi. When taken as a vitamin or mineral supplement, the dose ranges form 0.4 mg to 20 mg per day.
When used as a medicine to treat vitamin A deficiency, a dose of up to 6 mg/day may be given and in cases of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), up to 300 mg/day may be taken. Beta carotene is also widely used as a yellow colouring agent (EC160a) in food and drink.
Although beta carotene is not classed as an essential nutrient, it is a precursor to vitamin A and the recommended daily intake is expressed as part of the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for vitamin A as retinol equivalents (RE).
Beneficial effects of beta carotene
As a provitamin of vitamin A, the importance of beta carotene in an individual depends on their level of pre-formed vitamin A. It is therefore difficult to define a beta- carotene deficiency. Beta carotene also interacts with other carotenoids during absorption and metabolic processes.
Studies have shown an association between high dietary intake of beta carotene and a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. This may be due to the antioxidant properties of the molecule.
Properties
The absorption of beta carotene is facilitated by dietary fats and bile salts in the small intestine. Around 10% to 90% of the total dietary beta carotene is thought to be absorbed in the gut, with absorption decreasing, the higher the intake is. Low fat diets also reduce the amount of beta carotene absorbed.
Smokers have a low blood level of beta carotene, as do individuals with a high alcohol intake and those with HIV infection. People with impaired fat absorption from diet due to conditions such as jaundice, liver cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis also have a low blood level of beta carotene. Beta carotene is excreted in the feces and sweat.
Reviewed by Sally Robertson, BSc
Sources
http://www.crnusa.org/safetypdfs/003CRNSafetybetacarotene.pdf
http://www.sunchlorellausa.com/pressroom/pdf/PR_10Facts%20About%20Beta%20Carotene.pdf
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/evm_bcarotene.pdf
http://www.govita.com.au/library/Vitamins/VitaminBetacarotene.pdf
http://www.mccordresearch.com/sites/default/files/pdf/Multivitamin/Multi-Vitamin-A.pdf
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI/DRI_Vitamin_C/325-382_150.pdf
http://www.usp.org/sites/default/files/usp_pdf/EN/USPNF/beta_carotene.pd
8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Fresh Cabbage Juice
Cancer
Cabbage juice is very effective in preventing and treating multiple cancers. Sulforaphane is found in cabbage which is effective in preventing cells from carcinogens. Juice of cabbage has isocyanate. isocyanate is helpful in avoiding lung cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. It also helps cancer patients in speedy recovery by increasing the healing process of body. It is a good health benefits of cabbage juice.
Immune system
Cabbage Juice boosts the immune system and also works to promote and regulate T cells, and helps in the treatment of allergies because of a chemical called histidine. Glucosinolates which is found in Cabbage Juice also stimulates the immune system.
Boost Brain Function
Cabbage is full of Vitamin K and anthocyanins. These contribute to mental function and concentration. Because these nutrients prevent nerve damage, it improves defense against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Red cabbage is the best for this.
Heart Disease
The selenium found in cabbage juice helps to protect your body from heart disease. In addition, high levels of the essential fatty acid Omega 3 help to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and high blood pressure.
Arthritis
Cabbage juice is naturally high in selenium, which helps to combat the symptoms of arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties of cabbage juice are also beneficial in combating a range of other degenerative inflammatory disorders.
Anti-aging
Drinking cabbage juice is like drinking from the fountain of youth. This anti-aging juice helps prevent dryness and fine lines.
Anemia
The high levels of folic acid in cabbage juice help your body to build new blood cells. In this way, drinking raw cabbage juice is a healthy and natural way to treat anemia.
Inflammation
Cabbage juice is a known anti-inflammatory; great for helping your body combat arthritis and other degenerative inflammatory diseases. The amino acids found in cabbage juice are also great for reducing skin inflammation.
How to make Cabbage Juice?
Purchase fresh cabbage from the market. Try to choose small cabbages its taste is good than bigger cabbages. Wash it with water carefully. Cabbages are grown in farms, there may be some bacteria on it. So wash it carefully. Cut the cabbage in two or four parts, then chopped them. Then use a juicer to make cabbage juice.
A Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine study in the November 22 issue of Journal of Biological Chemistry, explains how vitamin A is generated from beta carotene, its dietary precursors. The discovery sheds new light into how beta carotene’s enzymes are utilized differently contributing to the vitamin’s production. This insight will help guide solutions for vitamin A deficiency, a global public health problem affecting more than half of all countries, according to the World Health Organization.
The study, named a Paper of the Week, led by Johannes von Lintig, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology, demonstrates that beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A and not other metabolites, which some theorized were toxic compounds.
Vitamin A deficiency is especially prevalent in developing countries of Asia, due to largely rice-based diets which lack beta-carotene, a member of the micronutrient carotenoid family. The deficiency mainly affects pregnant women and children and leads to blindness and increases morbidity.
Understanding how vitamin A is produced in the body is essential to effective public health interventions. Efforts are underway by humanitarian groups to supplement young children and fortify foods, for example in the form of “golden rice,” rice genetically modified to contain beta-carotene. The von Lintig Laboratory’s discovery validates the benefits of fortifying foods to combat the worldwide deficiency problem. Some reports indicate the problem exists in areas of the U.S. where access to fresh fruits and vegetables is scarce.
The research team provided evidence that BCO1 directly converts beta-carotene to vitamin A. However, they discovered the second enzyme, BCO2, is also significant. It helps prepare carotenoids, other than beta-carotene, for vitamin A production. Specifically, BCO2 removes the part of the carotenoid that cannot be utilized for vitamin A production. The remaining portion of the carotenoid is then further processed by BCO1 to generate vitamin A.
“Our study shows that beta-carotene’s second enzyme does not produce a toxic compound, as had been proposed by some researchers. Rather, the enzyme aids in the metabolizing of carotenoids, aside from beta-carotene, to become vitamin A,” said von Lintig and concluded “that beta-carotene is an important and safe precursor for vitamin A in our diet. Our findings also suggest that golden rice plants are likely very safe for consumption.”
Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. The body needs calcium to maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and hardness.
The body also needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages between the brain and every body part. In addition, calcium is used to help blood vessels move blood throughout the body and to help release hormones and enzymes that affect almost every function in the human body.
Table of Contents
What is calcium and what does it do?
How much calcium do I need?
What foods provide calcium?
What kinds of calcium dietary supplements are available?
Am I getting enough calcium?
What happens if I don't get enough calcium?
What are some effects of calcium on health?
Can calcium be harmful?
Are there any interactions with calcium that I should know about?
Calcium and healthful eating
Where can I find out more about calcium?
Disclaimer
How much calcium do I need?
The amount of calcium you need each day depends on your age. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in milligrams (mg):
Life Stage Recommended Amount
Birth to 6 months 200 mg
Infants 7–12 months 260 mg
Children 1–3 years 700 mg
Children 4–8 years 1,000 mg
Children 9–13 years 1,300 mg
Teens 14–18 years 1,300 mg
Adults 19–50 years 1,000 mg
Adult men 51–70 years 1,000 mg
Adult women 51–70 years 1,200 mg
Adults 71 years and older 1,200 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding teens 1,300 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding adults 1,000 mg
What foods provide calcium?
Calcium is found in many foods. You can get recommended amounts of calcium by eating a variety of foods, including the following:
Milk, yogurt, and cheese are the main food sources of calcium for the majority of people in the United States.
Kale, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage are fine vegetable sources of calcium.
Fish with soft bones that you eat, such as canned sardines and salmon, are fine animal sources of calcium.
Most grains (such as breads, pastas, and unfortified cereals), while not rich in calcium, add significant amounts of calcium to the diet because people eat them often or in large amounts.
Calcium is added to some breakfast cereals, fruit juices, soy and rice beverages, and tofu. To find out whether these foods have calcium, check the product labels.
What kinds of calcium dietary supplements are available?
Calcium is found in many multivitamin-mineral supplements, though the amount varies by product. Dietary supplements that contain only calcium or calcium with other nutrients such as vitamin D are also available. Check the Supplement Facts label to determine the amount of calcium provided.
The two main forms of calcium dietary supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive, but is absorbed best when taken with food. Some over-the-counter antacid products, such as Tums® and Rolaids®, contain calcium carbonate. Each pill or chew provides 200–400 mg of calcium. Calcium citrate, a more expensive form of the supplement, is absorbed well on an empty or a full stomach. In addition, people with low levels of stomach acid (a condition more common in people older than 50) absorb calcium citrate more easily than calcium carbonate. Other forms of calcium in supplements and fortified foods include gluconate, lactate, and phosphate.
Calcium absorption is best when a person consumes no more than 500 mg at one time. So a person who takes 1,000 mg/day of calcium from supplements, for example, should split the dose rather than take it all at once.
Calcium supplements may cause gas, bloating, and constipation in some people. If any of these symptoms occur, try spreading out the calcium dose throughout the day, taking the supplement with meals, or changing the supplement brand or calcium form you take.
Am I getting enough calcium?
Many people don't get recommended amounts of calcium from the foods they eat, including:
Boys aged 9 to 13 years,
Girls aged 9 to 18 years,
Women older than 50 years,
Men older than 70 years.
When total intakes from both food and supplements are considered, many people—particularly adolescent girls—still fall short of getting enough calcium, while some older women likely get more than the safe upper limit. See our Health Professional Fact Sheet on Calcium for more details.
Certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough calcium:
Postmenopausal women because they experience greater bone loss and do not absorb calcium as well. Sufficient calcium intake from food, and supplements if needed, can slow the rate of bone loss.
Women of childbearing age whose menstrual periods stop (amenorrhea) because they exercise heavily, eat too little, or both. They need sufficient calcium to cope with the resulting decreased calcium absorption, increased calcium losses in the urine, and slowdown in the formation of new bone.
People with lactose intolerance cannot digest this natural sugar found in milk and experience symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea when they drink more than small amounts at a time. They usually can eat other calcium-rich dairy products that are low in lactose, such as yogurt and many cheeses, and drink lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk.
Vegans (vegetarians who eat no animal products) and ovo-vegetarians (vegetarians who eat eggs but no dairy products), because they avoid the dairy products that are a major source of calcium in other people's diets.
Many factors can affect the amount of calcium absorbed from the digestive tract, including:
Age. Efficiency of calcium absorption decreases as people age. Recommended calcium intakes are higher for people over age 70.
Vitamin D intake. This vitamin, present in some foods and produced in the body when skin is exposed to sunlight, increases calcium absorption.
Other components in food. Both oxalic acid (in some vegetables and beans) and phytic acid (in whole grains) can reduce calcium absorption. People who eat a variety of foods don't have to consider these factors. They are accounted for in the calcium recommended intakes, which take absorption into account.
Many factors can also affect how much calcium the body eliminates in urine, feces, and sweat. These include consumption of alcohol- and caffeine-containing beverages as well as intake of other nutrients (protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus). In most people, these factors have little effect on calcium status.
What happens if I don't get enough calcium?
Insufficient intakes of calcium do not produce obvious symptoms in the short term because the body maintains calcium levels in the blood by taking it from bone. Over the long term, intakes of calcium below recommended levels have health consequences, such as causing low bone mass (osteopenia) and increasing the risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Symptoms of serious calcium deficiency include numbness and tingling in the fingers, convulsions, and abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to death if not corrected. These symptoms occur almost always in people with serious health problems or who are undergoing certain medical treatments.
What are some effects of calcium on health?
Scientists are studying calcium to understand how it affects health. Here are several examples of what this research has shown:
Bone health and osteoporosis
Bones need plenty of calcium and vitamin D throughout childhood and adolescence to reach their peak strength and calcium content by about age 30. After that, bones slowly lose calcium, but people can help reduce these losses by getting recommended amounts of calcium throughout adulthood and by having a healthy, active lifestyle that includes weight-bearing physical activity (such as walking and running).
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones in older adults (especially women) in which the bones become porous, fragile, and more prone to fracture. Osteoporosis is a serious public health problem for more than 10 million adults over the age of 50 in the United States. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intakes as well as regular exercise are essential to keep bones healthy throughout life.
Cardiovascular Disease
Whether calcium affects the risk of cardiovascular disease is not clear. Some studies show that getting enough calcium might protect people from heart disease and stroke. But other studies show that some people who consume high amounts of calcium, particularly from supplements, might have an increased risk of heart disease. More research is needed in this area.
High blood pressure
Some studies have found that getting recommended intakes of calcium can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension). One large study in particular found that eating a diet high in fat-free and low-fat dairy products, vegetables, and fruits lowered blood pressure.
Cancer
Studies have examined whether calcium supplements or diets high in calcium might lower the risks of developing cancer of the colon or rectum or increase the risk of prostate cancer. The research to date provides no clear answers. Given that cancer develops over many years, longer term studies are needed.
Kidney stones
Most kidney stones are rich in calcium oxalate. Some studies have found that higher intakes of calcium from dietary supplements are linked to a greater risk of kidney stones, especially among older adults. But calcium from foods does not appear to cause kidney stones. For most people, other factors (such as not drinking enough fluids) probably have a larger effect on the risk of kidney stones than calcium intake.
Weight loss
Although several studies have shown that getting more calcium helps lower body weight or reduce weight gain over time, most studies have found that calcium—from foods or dietary supplements—has little if any effect on body weight and amount of body fat.
Can calcium be harmful?
Getting too much calcium can cause constipation. It might also interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron and zinc, but this effect is not well established. In adults, too much calcium (from dietary supplements but not food) might increase the risk of kidney stones. Some studies show that people who consume high amounts of calcium might have increased risks of prostate cancer and heart disease, but more research is needed to understand these possible links.
The safe upper limits for calcium are listed below. Most people do not get amounts above the upper limits from food alone; excess intakes usually come from the use of calcium supplements. Surveys show that some older women in the United States probably get amounts somewhat above the upper limit since the use of calcium supplements is common among these women.
Life Stage Upper Safe Limit
Birth to 6 months 1,000 mg
Infants 7–12 months 1,500 mg
Children 1–8 years 2,500 mg
Children 9–18 years 3,000 mg
Adults 19–50 years 2,500 mg
Adults 51 years and older 2,000 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding teens 3,000 mg
Pregnant and breastfeeding adults 2,500 mg
Are there any interactions with calcium that I should know about?
Calcium dietary supplements can interact or interfere with certain medicines that you take, and some medicines can lower or raise calcium levels in the body. Here are some examples:
Calcium can reduce the absorption of these drugs when taken together:
Bisphosphonates (to treat osteoporosis)
Antibiotics of the fluoroquinolone and tetracycline families
Levothyroxine (to treat low thyroid activity)
Phenytoin (an anticonvulsant)
Tiludronate disodium (to treat Paget's disease).
Diuretics differ in their effects. Thiazide-type diuretics (such as Diuril® and Lozol®) reduce calcium excretion by the kidneys which in turn can raise blood calcium levels too high. But loop diuretics (such as Lasix® and Bumex®) increase calcium excretion and thereby lower blood calcium levels.
Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium increase calcium loss in the urine.
Mineral oil and stimulant laxatives reduce calcium absorption.
Glucocorticoids (such as prednisone) can cause calcium depletion and eventually osteoporosis when people use them for months at a time.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other health care providers about any dietary supplements and medicines you take. They can tell you if those dietary supplements might interact or interfere with your prescription or over-the-counter medicines or if the medicines might interfere with how your body absorbs, uses, or breaks down nutrients.
Calcium and healthful eating
People should get most of their nutrients from food, advises the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Foods contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and other substances that benefit health. Dietary supplements might help in some situations to increase the intake of a specific vitamin or mineral. For more information on building a healthy diet, refer to the Dietary Guidelines for Americansexternal link icon and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food guidance system, ChooseMyPlateexternal link icon.