Prospective double-blind crossover study of Camellia sinensis (green tea) in dyslipidemias.

BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have established an association between dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis. Nutritional therapy is a key point in the prevention strategy for individuals who present with risk factors for atherosclerotic disease. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in patients with dyslipidemias. METHODS The study included 33 patients aged between 21 and 71 years who had a low-fat diet (25-35% of total calories and 200 mg of cholesterol per day). They were randomized for two sequential treatments: 250-mg capsules of green tea dry extract or placebo for a total period of 16 weeks; each patient received green tea (Camellia sinensis) for eight weeks and placebo for another eight weeks. RESULTS Baseline lipid values (mg/dL) were: HDL-cholesterol 60.7 +/- 7.3; total cholesterol 255 +/- 30.9; LDL-cholesterol 158.8 +/- 29.0; triglycerides 169.0 +/- 61.3 and Apo-B 120.2 +/- 18.9. Mean lipid variations induced by the use of green tea (Camellia sinensis) showed a 3.9% reduction (p = 0.006) in total cholesterol concentrations and a 4.5% reduction (p = 0.026) in LDL-cholesterol. The intake of green tea did not significantly influence HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and Apo-B levels. Non-significant results were found in the assessment of blood lipids (total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) with the use of placebo. CONCLUSION A beneficial effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) was demonstrated, with a significant reduction of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in eight weeks, in the patients studied.