Knowledge is Healing

Most people think only of positive benefits of green tea. However, while this type of tea does offer some excellent benefits, many directly related to health, it is also important to understand there are some negative effects of green tea leaves. Just as with many foods and drinks we consume, green tea may not be good for everyone. Therefore, we wanted to address some of the negative effects of green tea leaves so you can determine if this is right for you.

Green tea comes from a bush in the Camellia family, which is why the official name for green tea is Camellia sinensis, which is Latin. This evergreen bush has shiny, pointed leaves that have a wonderful aroma. This particular bush also produces beautiful white flowers. Today, green tea is grown in more than 50 countries to include Argentina, Brazil, and Russia, among others.

The exciting thing about this tea is that study after study shows positive effects on the body, meaning the negative effects of green tea leaves is minimal. For instance, green tea contains powerful antioxidants that have been proven to help fight various forms of cancer, as well as tooth decay, obesity, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Because of the amazing benefits, the level of consumption for green tea has skyrocketed throughout the globe.

Now, when it comes to the negative effects of green tea leaves, we want to start with pregnant women. Although most doctors agree that a small consumption of green tea is fine but when large amounts are consumed, caffeine can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, low birth rate, and even growth retardation. Keep in mind that these risks are associated with the beverage of green tea, as well as supplements.

EGCG molecules, which are similar to a methotrexate compound, work by fighting off cancer cells by bonding with the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, which is good in non-pregnant women. However, in pregnant women, the negative effects of green tea leaves involves involve the epigallocatechins, otherwise known as EGCG. In this situation, EGCG can affect the way in which the body uses folate, which is vital in the prevention of neural tube birth defects.

Nursing women should also consider the negative effects of green lea leaves. Remember, green tea is high in caffeine. Therefore, a woman who is breastfeeding and consuming green tea would be passing the caffeine on to the baby. Even small amounts or green tea powder used for baking, smoothies, and other foods should be avoided while nursing a baby.

In addition, negative effects of green tea leaves would link to individuals who have allergies. In this case, someone who is caffeine sensitive could develop problems such as hives and rash from consuming green tea. With caffeine being a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, other problems could result such as insomnia, excessive urination, reduction of potassium levels, and even incontinence. Just keep in mind that if you have any concerns about negative effects of green tea leaves for you, we recommend that you talk to your doctor or a health food specialist.

Julie Health writes about the benefits of drinking green tea and the harmful problems of green tea. Visit her website to discover more about how a miracle in a cup can improve your health.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

Although Internet interactions can be freewheeling, certain rules of etiquette apply. As with most technology, early adopters tend to set the standards, and latecomers learn to adapt. So "netiquette" does vary, depending on the type of site -- general versus physician-specific, personal versus professional.

And there are a plethora of sites. Social networking no longer involves just a handful of general sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, but includes a network of sites specific to health care, physicians and even specialties.

The first step to social networking, experts say, is to decide what audiences you want to connect with, choose the most appropriate site for each purpose, and set clear boundaries between each one. But even if you opt for purely social networking, a stranger there potentially can become your employer, patient or colleague, and an etiquette blunder could be career-killing.

"There's no way people aren't going to Google a new contact," said Rusty Weston, chief blogger of the networking site My Global Career. "You have to be careful."

A recent survey conducted by Erika S. Fishman, director of research and client services for Manhattan Research, a marketing and research firm for health care and pharmaceutical companies, found nearly half of all physicians feel it is important to have a professional presence online.

This patient-centered pitch on electronic prescribing is being made by SureScripts, the nation's largest provider of electronic prescribing services, joined by nearly all of the nation's largest pharmacy chains.

The hope is that patients who are educated about the benefits of e-prescribing will start to demand that their physicians use the technology.

SureScripts chief marketing officer and lead campaign organizer Tammy Lewis said the main objective is to let patients know that more than 70% of pharmacies have e-prescribing connectivity, and show how e-prescribing might benefit them.

Part of the campaign involves signage at more than 26,000 pharmacies saying, "ePrescriptions filled here." Other signs will direct consumers to a Web site where they can learn about the benefits of e-prescribing, find a doctor who has the technology, and print information to bring to physicians who don't (www.learnabouteprescriptions.com).

The printed materials include information about a Web site where physicians can assess their e-prescribing needs and learn about available systems. Five physician organizations and the Medical Group Management Assn started that site (www.getrxconnected.com).

The agreements between the state's Dept. of Managed Health Care and the insurers are the latest development in a crackdown on what authorities have called illegal policy rescissions.

"While it's obviously terrific for those particular patients, that this had to be done reflects that there is a pattern and practice of behavior from those big insurance companies, and it hurts people who need health care," said California Medical Assn. President Richard Frankenstein, MD, a pulmonologist from Garden Grove.

Dept. of Managed Health Care Director Cindy Ehnes said she expected the state's two largest insurers of individuals, Blue Cross of California and Blue Shield of California, to follow Kaiser and Health Net by agreeing to offer coverage to as many as 4,000 former members.

At a May 15 news conference announcing agreements with Kaiser and Health Net, Ehnes said doctors or hospitals who provided free or uncompensated care to the people regaining coverage have a right to collect from the health plans, but doctors and hospitals may have to go to the patient to ask for payment.

However, hospitals generally underestimate the malicious intent and the financial damage involved in data breaches and are unaware they're being targeted by perpetrators wishing to commit identity theft or medical fraud.

That is the conclusion of a recent report by the Health Information and Management Systems Society. The report was based on responses to a January telephone survey from 263 hospital executives responsible for patient data.

"I think ... hospitals, they may stick their heads in the sand, and they don't want to acknowledge that people want to access people's data for personal gain," said Brian Lapidus, chief operating officer of Kroll Fraud Solutions. Kroll, which sells data protection and identity theft response solutions, commissioned the study by HIMSS.

The report did not look into breaches at physician practices. But some experts say physicians also underestimate their chances of being targeted.

Mike Spinney, spokesman for Ponemon Institute, a Traverse City, Mich.-based think tank that researches privacy and data security issues, said while breaches are commonly discovered at hospitals and large medical groups, too often physician practices adopt a mentality that they are too small to be targeted.

— Next Page »