Study to determine if green tea helps
in weight loss
by Mary
Helen YarboroughPublic Relations
Whether green tea holds any promise for helping people lose weight will be determined in an 18-week study conducted at the General Clinical Research Center and MUSC’s Weight Management Center.
The researchers are recruiting people for a double-blind study that will include the use of a placebo or capsules of green tea extract containing epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a chemical in green tea that could aid in weight loss.
To participate, study subjects must be obese, and be between 18 and 45 years old. They cannot be using prescription medications and must have no significant illness or disease, such as diabetes or heart disease. Volunteers must also be able to meet with researchers nine times over the course of the study.
Dr. Jennifer DonovanEGCG has been proven effective in boosting metabolism in animal studies.
“A small amount of research on green tea and weight loss has been performed using animals or overweight people, but we need to investigate it further,” said Jennifer Donovan, Ph.D., the principle investigator of the study. “We think green tea decreases appetite, and will help people follow a sensible diet. We also believe it increases people’s metabolic rate.”
Study participants will also benefit by the battery of tests that come with the study for free. Donovan said 36 men and women will be selected and undergo measurements that include body fat and muscle measurements, bone density tests, and blood chemistry analysis. Information about individuals’ metabolic rates will be measured, and each participant will receive a customized diet and professional advise on how to follow it. Donovan said losing weight is not just about vanity; it can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack, diabetes and help you live longer. We hope the results of the study will help us understand how green tea works and who it will work for, she said.
Underwritten by a seed grant from the S.C. Nutrition Research Consortium,. Donovan also is working with Patrick O’Neil, Ph.D., of the Weight Management Center, and Bob Malcolm, M.D., of the Department of Psychiatry.
For more information call 792-5577 or send an e-mail with “green tea” in the subject line to the Weight Management Center at wmc@musc.edu.
Friday, March 9, 2007
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