Green Coffee Bean Extract

Andy,

The health food and vitamin stores are recently promoting the health benefits of green coffee bean extract, claiming that there may be even more benefit than green tea extract.  Also, the caffeine levels are supposedly lower than roasted coffee.  What is your opinion on this product, and do you see it as possibly beneficial for adult thals?  (Majors, minors and intermedias).

Thank you,

Sharmin

Sharmin,

Good question. Green coffee bean extract is a strong antioxidant, high in polyphenols. It does have some metal chelation value, so it may have some value for a chelation supplement, like green tea extract and IP6. The caffeine content of a high daily dose is only about 20% of what is found in one cup of coffee, so that is no concern. What I found especially interesting about green coffee bean extract is that it has been shown to have an ability to create an improvement in vasoreactivity. What this means, is that it improves the flexibility of blood vessels, which we know is a key to long term health in thals. This property is the same reason L-carnitine etc are recommended. In fact, some brands combine both the extract and L-carnitine. Optimizing the circulatory system needs to be a goal of thals, both for the long term protection and also because it helps optimize the use of oxygen by the body, which should always be a goal in all forms of thalassemia.

One note. The value of coffee changes dramatically once the beans are roasted. This advice is relevant to only green coffee bean extract and not coffee in general.

Thank you Andy,

Even as a thal minor I think I could use some of those benefits - considering my crazy lifestyle these days.  In fact all thal minor parents who are taking care of thal major children need to consider taking good care of themselves.   Our kids need us to be strong and patient - if we are run down we can't take care of them and we will lose our patience with them when they don't comply with everything that is required for their well being.  The best way to teach our kids to take care of themselves is to take care of ourselves. 

Thanks again Andy,

Sharmin

Sharmin,

Good question. Green coffee bean extract is a strong antioxidant, high in polyphenols. It does have some metal chelation value, so it may have some value for a chelation supplement, like green tea extract and IP6. The caffeine content of a high daily dose is only about 20% of what is found in one cup of coffee, so that is no concern. What I found especially interesting about green coffee bean extract is that it has been shown to have an ability to create an improvement in vasoreactivity. What this means, is that it improves the flexibility of blood vessels, which we know is a key to long term health in thals. This property is the same reason L-carnitine etc are recommended. In fact, some brands combine both the extract and L-carnitine. Optimizing the circulatory system needs to be a goal of thals, both for the long term protection and also because it helps optimize the use of oxygen by the body, which should always be a goal in all forms of thalassemia.

One note. The value of coffee changes dramatically once the beans are roasted. This advice is relevant to only green coffee bean extract and not coffee in general.

Andy, what is exactly L-carnitine and arginine (if I'm correct)? What's it's benefits for thal majors? Because I've saw you referencing it a lot of times.

-P.

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/carnitine/

L-carnitine is a derivative of the amino acid, lysine...Under certain conditions, the demand for L-carnitine may exceed an individual's capacity to synthesize it, making it a conditionally essential micronutrient (3, 4).

L-carnitine, L-arginine and L-citrulline are used somewhat interchangeably to help correct nitric oxide deficiency in thals. Oxidation depletes NO in the blood and tissue and this leads to the long term problem of pulmonary hypertension (PHT or PAH), as the NO depleted blood vessels lose elasticity and cannot move blood efficiently through the vessels, placing added strain on the heart and increasing the pressure in the artery between the heart and lungs (this pressure is not related to overall blood pressure). Early symptoms are tiredness and breathlessness. Long term, PHT can kill.  The depletion of NO is a constant ongoing condition, so replacing NO is essential. Certain foods are high in NO but supplements are often required to correct the deficiency. L-carnitine etc., are all used to help fix NO and counter the depletion.

The problem of PHT has emerged as thals have grown older and encountered problems besides iron overload. It is a killer of older thals and should not be ignored. Patients diagnosed with PHT may be prescribed sildenafil (Viagra) as its effect is to fix NO, thereby causing better circulation of blood.

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/carnitine/
L-carnitine, L-arginine and L-citrulline are used somewhat interchangeably to help correct nitric oxide deficiency in thals. Oxidation depletes NO in the blood and tissue and this leads to the long term problem of pulmonary hypertension (PHT or PAH), as the NO depleted blood vessels lose elasticity and cannot move blood efficiently through the vessels, placing added strain on the heart and increasing the pressure in the artery between the heart and lungs (this pressure is not related to overall blood pressure). Early symptoms are tiredness and breathlessness. Long term, PHT can kill.  The depletion of NO is a constant ongoing condition, so replacing NO is essential. Certain foods are high in NO but supplements are often required to correct the deficiency. L-carnitine etc., are all used to help fix NO and counter the depletion.

The problem of PHT has emerged as thals have grown older and encountered problems besides iron overload. It is a killer of older thals and should not be ignored. Patients diagnosed with PHT may be prescribed sildenafil (Viagra) as its effect is to fix NO, thereby causing better circulation of blood.

I see. So all those 3 should be taken or only L-carnitine? What you recommend?

Also, from below:

http://www.seacoast.com/topic.php?health=l-carnitine

What is a good brand? I'm not familiar with USA's brand, so your opinion would be great.

I'm strange to hear that viagra is used to treat this, though.

-P.

PHT is the reason Viagra was first developed, as it helps to relieve PHT by helping blood vessels to operate more efficiently in moving blood. Because this improves blood flow, it is also useful for those with ED.

I am not familiar with all the brands in the link, but these companies all make good quality supplements, Jarrow, Twinlab, Nature's Way and Now. I am not saying the other brands aren't good. I just am not familiar with them. The three forms all fix NO. Some patients find that one specific form works best for them.

PHT is the reason Viagra was first developed, as it helps to relieve PHT by helping blood vessels to operate more efficiently in moving blood. Because this improves blood flow, it is also useful for those with ED.

I am not familiar with all the brands in the link, but these companies all make good quality supplements, Jarrow, Twinlab, Nature's Way and Now. I am not saying the other brands aren't good. I just am not familiar with them. The three forms all fix NO. Some patients find that one specific form works best for them.

http://www.seacoast.com/l-carnitine/jarrow-formulas/500-mg-50-capsules/p4821

So should I order above for now? It's always nice to seek your opinion as I'm not so used to hear American brand names, especially medical brands. The above one is by Jarrow.

-P.

Jarrow is a good quality brand, as are the others mentioned.

Food sources of L-carnitine include red meat, dairy, tempeh, wheat, nuts and seeds, legumes, certain fruits and vegetables such as asparagus and avocado, and peanut butter. Many whole grains contain carnitine, such as buckwheat, corn, millet, oatmeal, rice bran, and wheat germ. Lamb is especially high in L-carnitine.

Jarrow is a good quality brand, as are the others mentioned.

Food sources of L-carnitine include red meat, dairy, tempeh, wheat, nuts and seeds, legumes, certain fruits and vegetables such as asparagus and avocado, and peanut butter. Many whole grains contain carnitine, such as buckwheat, corn, millet, oatmeal, rice bran, and wheat germ. Lamb is especially high in L-carnitine.

Lamb as in a sheep/animal or it's a fruit/vegetable of some kind?

Also, would one capsule daily suffice or should I take two capsules?

-P.

Lamb as in a sheep/animal or it's a fruit/vegetable of some kind?

Also, would one capsule daily suffice or should I take two capsules?

-P.

Hi Andy,

Can you please tell me?

Also,

I plan to take L-carnitine and L-arginine, would both taking simultaneously be okay?

I also read today the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) effect of L-carnitine, a google search shows many results:

https://www.google.com/search?tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=does+l-arginine+increase+height&oq=does+l-arginine+increase+height&gs_l=hp.3..0.302691.313889.2.314138.48.26.4.12.13.14.344.6782.2-23j3.26.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.chQQjGziHaY&pbx=1&bpcl=39650382&biw=1600&bih=799&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.

Is it true? Can it benefit us thal majors especially to boost the HGH levels thereby increasing height?

-P.

Lamb is meat from a young sheep. You can take L-carnitine and L-arginine together but it may be redundant to do so. Keep in mind that this supplement is not something that will cause a noticeable effect in most people. The purpose is long term prevention of PHT. I don't know if it has an effect on height. It's hard to trust claims that come from the body building industry, but it can help optimize circulation, which would be needed for growth.

Lamb is meat from a young sheep. You can take L-carnitine and L-arginine together but it may be redundant to do so. Keep in mind that this supplement is not something that will cause a noticeable effect in most people. The purpose is long term prevention of PHT. I don't know if it has an effect on height. It's hard to trust claims that come from the body building industry, but it can help optimize circulation, which would be needed for growth.

So what do you suggest Andy? If I take only Arginine would it do the work that Carnitine would do? Because I'm more interested to try out Arginine because of the given discussions.

So what do you suggest Andy? If I take only Arginine would it do the work that Carnitine would do? Because I'm more interested to try out Arginine because of the given discussions.

Andy,

Can you please reply?

Thank you.

-P.

I don't see the need to use both. My personal preference is L-arginine. I've had problems with L-carnitine tabs falling apart before the bottle is finished.