Green Tea Extract (EGCG) for LDL Particle Size Improvement
Green tea catechins lower LDL modestly with little specific evidence on particle size.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 250-500 mg EGCG daily with food
- Expected timeframe
- 12 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Extract standardised for EGCG, or 3-5 cups of brewed green tea daily
- duration
- 12 weeks, with a lipid panel at baseline and end
- co factor
- Take with food. Evidence is mixed, and the specific claim outruns the data. Meta-analyses show green tea catechins produce small but consistent reductions in total and LDL cholesterol - roughly 0.1-0.2 mmol/L - probably through reduced intestinal cholesterol absorption and micelle formation. LDL particle size and number, however, are measured by NMR lipoprotein analysis, which few green tea trials have performed, and the handful that examined particle characteristics report inconsistent findings. A fall in LDL concentration does not by itself indicate a shift toward larger, less atherogenic particles. Particle size is driven mainly by triglyceride levels, insulin resistance and carbohydrate intake.
- titration
- Up to 500 mg/day of extract; never above 800 mg/day EGCG
- starting dose
- 300 mg/day of standardised extract with food
Evidence
What the studies say
No studies are yet linked to both Green Tea Extract (EGCG) and LDL Particle Size Improvement.
Safety
Caveats
High-dose extracts on an empty stomach carry rare hepatotoxicity risk.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.