Iron overload, a condition characterized by excessive iron absorption in the body, poses serious health risks such as liver damage and diabetes. While there are medicines like Desferal and Exjade, I am still always on the lookout for natural iron chelators. And I have heard and read a lot about green tea for iron chelation.
But does green tea truly aid in reducing iron levels and managing iron overload?
Let’s delve into the facts and fiction surrounding this topic.
Understanding Iron Overload and its Risks
If you have iron overload in any form, I am sure you are quite familiar with the risk.
Iron overload occurs when the body absorbs more iron than it needs, often due to genetic disorders or frequent blood transfusions. Symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, and abdominal discomfort, signaling the presence of this condition. If left untreated, iron overload can lead to severe organ damage, particularly affecting the liver and heart.
As a Thalassemia major patient on regular blood transfusions, it is one the biggest risks I face and hence I try my best to find natural iron chelators to supplement my current chelation therapy (I am on Jadenu at the time of writing this article).
If you haven’t heard of IP6 you read this article I wrote about IP6 for Iron Chelation.
Can Green Tea Reduce Iron Absorption in Iron Overload and Thalassemia Major?
Green tea is renowned for its rich antioxidant content and purported health benefits. Some initial studies suggest that green tea may interfere with iron absorption, primarily through its catechin compounds. For instance, research published in the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” indicates that green tea extracts can bind to dietary iron, potentially hindering its absorption in the body.
Exploring Research on Green Tea and Iron Chelation
Although promising, existing research on green tea and iron chelation remains limited. A study featured in “Blood Advances” investigated the effects of green tea supplementation in patients with thalassemia major and demonstrated a slight decrease in serum ferritin (a marker of iron storage) compared to the control group.
Even though the sample size was small, it shows that green tea can be a promising addition to our arsenal of natural iron chelators.
Green Tea vs. Traditional Iron Chelation: Comparison and Considerations
Traditional iron chelator medications, prescribed by healthcare professionals, are highly effective in managing iron overload. These medications directly bind to excess iron, facilitating its removal from the body. In contrast, green tea’s potential effects on iron absorption appear more subtle and indirect.
Therefore, our target should be to use it to complement our iron chelation regimen. It is a potent antioxidant and has many other health benefits for heart, liver and overall immunity. So I would definitely recommend you to add green tea to your daily diet. However, it is best to speak to your doctor before you do this.
How to Incorporate Green Tea into Your Diet
If deemed safe by your healthcare provider, moderate consumption of green tea (2-3 cups daily) can be integrated into a balanced diet. Various types of green tea, such as Sencha or Matcha, offer potential health benefits.
If you are not able to drink it, you can try a green tea supplement like Zazzee Extra Strength Green Tea (affiliate link). This supplement includes catechins, polyphenols and EGCG and has very good reviews.
Remember, this is only to supplement your iron chelation therapy so you don’t need to take high doses. Make sure you discuss with your doctor to get the most benefit out of this.
Here are all the supplements and vitamins I’ve been using. Don’t forget to check them out.
Side Effects of Green Tea
Most people don’t face any problems with green tea but it can cause some side effects due to its caffeine content. Some of these side effects are anxiety, upset stomach and sleeping problems. If you feel any changes you should discontinue green tea and speak to your doctor for further guidance.
I have generally seen that taking the green tea supplement during the day is better and helps with higher energy levels as well. This way you won’t have trouble sleeping at night either.
FAQs
Does Green Tea lower ferritin levels and chelate iron?
Yes, multiple studies have shown that Green Tea not only reduces iron absorption from the gut, but it also acts as an iron chelator and a potent antioxidant.
Is Green Tea the same as EGCG?
EGCG is a compound that is found in green tea. So if you have green tea you are automatically getting EGCG.
Should Green Tea be taken on an empty stomach?
Taking green tea on an empty stomach can cause problems due to its polyphenol content. So it is best to take it after a meal.
Is it safe to take green tea?
Studies have shown that green tea is generally safe for most people. But there is not a lot of research on taking high doses for longer periods. Hence you should talk to your doctor about this. I mostly take supplements intermittently so that any negative effects wear off.
Are there other natural iron chelators?
Yes there are! Read this article where I list out some great natural iron chelators.
