Green Tea Supplement Overdose - How Much?

by Dianne

I've been taking anywhere from 1000-2000 mgs/daily of green tea capsules for approximately 2 months now. I recently had blood work done and was astonished to discover the area where blood was taken bruised the next day. I've never had this happen before.

I understand that green tea is an anticoagulant so it is advisable to inform your doctor you are taking it, particularly before a major surgery. It is recommended dosage should actually cease before actual surgeries.

I will now play with the dosage I'm taking, lowering it, to see if this makes a difference in my blood flow and bruising, but am wondering what your opinion on the subject? How much is too much green tea supplement?

Are there other side affects known that are worth mentioning, and that you could share, which I haven't discovered on my own yet? I also read excessive green tea extract could cause liver and kidney damage, but no article mentioned what "excessive dosage" was exactly.

Do you know how much is considered too much, and for how long? I enjoy the energy boost the dosage I now take gives me, and planned on taking this dosage forever, but am now wondering the dangers of what my doing so may produce. I would appreciate any insight anyone else has on the topic. Thanks.

Answer:

Dianne, I am not in any way medically qualified. I will make some suggestions below, please consult your doctor before you make any decision.

Consuming too much green tea can give rise to side effects. These side effects can be classified into 3 types:

- Those related to caffeine
- Those related to EGCG (i.e. pregnancy risk)
- Those related to supplements

The full list of side effects can be found here

Green Tea Side Effects

Supplement side effects are considered separately because it depends not just on tea, but whatever that get added on top during the manufacturing process.

- The quality of extract, which can depend on the processings involved, such as the use of chemical solvents, and the quality of the tea leaves (whether is it herbicide and fluoride free etc)

- The inclusion of other herbs and their quality

- Whether the extract contains caffeine

Read Green Tea Supplements Side Effects for further information.

1000 to 2000 milligrams of green tea extract is a lot to consume a day. But this is not the main point. What is important is to understand that the quality of your green tea supplement matters.

There are not too many mention of what's too much EGCG to consume because it is usually well tolerated during human trials. This probably reflects the fact that it is water soluble and so just gets excreted if there is too much.

On the other hand, studies conducted on test tube did observe that too much EGC can cause cancer. It is wise not to over-consume.

Personally, I regard consumption of 300 to 700 milligrams of catechins or EGCG as being safe. This is not the same as "green tea extract", as this word can mean anything. Such extract can be low potency.

The article below outline what to look for in a good green tea supplement.

Green Tea Supplements

I would suggest you speak to your doctor as you are taking a lot of supplement capsules and having a medical condition.

I hope my reply helps.