What a pity!
After taking green tea capsules, the American needed a liver transplant
Evgenia Sokolovskaya, "Snob"
Jim McCants, a resident of the United States, took green tea capsules, a dietary supplement that he believed would help him maintain his health. Because of this, the man needed an urgent liver transplant, writes the BBC
When McCants turned 50, he decided to start leading a healthy lifestyle – lose weight, eat right and exercise regularly. "My father died of a heart attack at 59. He missed a lot, and I was determined to do everything I could to take care of myself," says Jim.
But at the school graduation of the youngest son, his wife noticed that his face and the whites of his eyes turned yellow. After graduation, Jim was hospitalized with suspected liver damage.
The man did not abuse alcohol, never smoked and did not take any medications, only dietary supplements – the very capsules of green tea that he thought would help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also in the advertising of these popular supplements in the USA it was said that they contain antioxidants and that they prevent cancer and help to lose weight.
Jim McCants took dietary supplements for about three months. His doctor suggests that they caused the disease. After three weeks of tests, Jim was informed that he needed a liver transplant. Urgently.
What is the danger of green tea
Capsules with green tea extract are approved for ingestion in the United States and Europe, but they are not considered a medicinal product. Therefore, their safety and side effects have never been tested.
"Drinking green tea in moderation is absolutely safe," says Herbert Bonkowski, professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who has been researching diseases caused by green tea for 20 years. "Concentrated extracts are dangerous."
Presumably, the compound with antioxidant properties of epigallocatechin gallate, which is contained in large quantities in green tea, is toxic to humans. Susceptibility to it depends on many factors, including genetics and the method of application. Millions of people take green tea capsules without harm to their health, but at least 80 cases of liver damage with these dietary supplements have been recorded.
The European Food Safety Agency has concluded that any dose equal to or exceeding 800 milligrams of epigallocatechin gallate per day is dangerous to health.
What happened to Jim McCants
The very next day after Jim was announced that he needed a transplant, a suitable liver was found. Four years have passed since the operation, but the man still has health problems, including kidney problems. He may need a kidney transplant in the future.
"My life used to be much more active," says Jim. He complains of chronic fatigue, constant abdominal pain and is suing Vitacost, a retailer of green tea capsules that he took.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru