Epicatechin

NAME: Epicatechin [Acacia catechu extract]

Epicatechin, a major polyphenolic component of Cocoa and green tea. It is also present in Acacia plants. It is a strong antioxidant, has insulin mimic action and improves heart health.

Potential Uses

• Epicatechin extends life span in fruit flies and diabetic mice
• Cardiac Health and Cholesterol Lowering
• Exercise endurance

Anti – diabetic activity:

Epicatechin on administration reduced the degeneration of aortic vessels and blunted fat deposition and hydropic degeneration in the liver caused by diabetes. Epicatechin has increased the longer lifespan, including improved skeletal muscle stress output, reduced systematic inflammation markers and serum LDL cholesterol, and also promoted survival and increased mean lifespan of Drosophila. Therefore, epicatechin may be a novel food-derived, anti-aging compound. (Hongwei Si 2011)

Cardiac Health and cholesterol lowering activity:-

A new study has revealed that dark chocolate may have a significant effect on cholesterol levels in diabetics and may also reduce the chance of heart disease. On administration of epicatechin. has shown to have reduced levels of cholesterol and the lower blood pressure, which may make it a very healthy supplement for those with diabetes. (The International Business time 2010). Epicatechin may improve blood flow and has potential for cardiac health. These results demonstrate the unique capacity of (-)-epicatechin to confer cardioprotection in the setting of a severe form of myocardial ischemic injury. (Yamazaki G.K 2010).

Exercise endurance:-

On administration of (-)-epicatechin alone or in combination with exercise induces an integrated response that includes structural and metabolic changes in skeletal and cardiac muscles resulting in greater endurance capacity. (Nogueira L, 2011).