What Kind Of Tea Prevents Heart Attacks?

Q. There was something on the news about how tea drinkers are less likely to have heart attacks. Does it matter if it is regular or decaffeinated tea? What about hot tea compared to iced tea? And is herb or green tea as good as black tea in this regard?

A. Harvard researchers report in the journal Circulation (May 28, 2002) that tea seems to have heart healthy properties. Almost 2000 heart attack patients were questioned about their tea-drinking habits. They were followed for roughly four years.

Heavy tea drinkers (14 cups or more each week) were 44 percent less likely to die of another heart attack compared with tea-totalers. Moderate tea drinkers (fewer than 14 cups weekly) were 28 percent less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack during follow-up.

The scientists only studied people's consumption of caffeinated black tea. Hot or iced shouldn't make a difference. Green tea may provide equal benefits, but that was not the focus of the study.

The researchers hypothesize that the effects are due to the antioxidant flavonoids in tea. These compounds improve the function of arterial linings and prevent bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. Flavonoids also keep blood platelets from sticking together to form blood clots, which could be another way they help prevent heart attacks.

Q. I am taking St. John's wort which has been very helpful to me. I read recently, however, that this herb could cause harm to eyes or skin exposed to bright sunshine. I am wondering if taking it at night would lessen the harmful effects of the sun during the day.

A. No one yet knows how dangerous St. John's wort is for the eyes. One component of the herb, hypericin, is activated by light and may increase the risk of damage to the lens. Over many years this might promote cataracts.

Sunglasses cannot protect the eye adequately, since the effect is caused by visible light as well as ultraviolet radiation. Taking the medicine at night might be a good idea, but until further research is conducted, there is no way to know if this would solve the problem.

St. John's wort does increase sensitivity to sunburn. So do many other medications. We are sending you our Guides to St. John's Wort and Skin Care, which provide pros and cons on the herb and list drugs that make people vulnerable to sunburn. Anyone who would like copies, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. SV-87, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. I've had success lowering cholesterol with the herb guggul. A physician recommended it because Lipitor caused severe muscle and joint pain. How does it work?

A. A recent report in Science Express (May 2, 2002) explained how the Indian herb guggul works to lower cholesterol. It facilitates production of bile acids that remove cholesterol from the body. This is quite different from the way statins like Lipitor, Zocor and Pravachol lower cholesterol.

Guggul extract (guggulsterone) has been approved in India for lowering cholesterol and preventing heart disease. This natural remedy has been used there for thousands of years. To learn more about guggul you may wish to visit our herb library (www.peoplespharmacy.org).