DEALING WITH PROSTATE CANCER FROM A NUTRITIONAL PERSPECTIVE

       In our October Newsletter, we discussed what can be done to prevent and treat breast cancer from a nutritional perspective.  We explained that cancer is uncontrolled cell division often caused by damaged DNA. We covered how you can protect yourself from developing cancer in general through dietary and immune enhancing initiatives.  Please go to www.milkandhoneyhealthfoods.com/archieves9.html to review this material.   

        Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer among men. Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and when it does occur it often grows at such a slow rate that the man dies from something other than the cancer.  Prostate cancer is predominantly a disease of men in their 60’s and beyond and affects African-American men in greater numbers than Caucasians.  Having a close relative such as a father or brother with prostate cancer also increases your risk which indicates some genetic dynamics may be involved.

        The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut and is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum.  The prostate makes and stores a milky fluid that combines with sperm from the gonads to produce semen.  The gland wraps around the upper part of the urethra which is the tube through which urine is carried from the bladder into the penis.  It is difficult to identify prostate cancer on the basis of symptoms alone as the same symptoms can indicate benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) which is a non cancerous swelling of the prostate. 

        Symptoms associated with prostate cancer and BPH are frequent urination, difficulty urinating, which may include weak or interrupted flow or a burning sensation, blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs.  A protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) will become elevated in the blood stream if prostate cancer is present.  This antigen can also become elevated with BPH, an infection of the prostate and things as innocuous as riding a bicycle.  If the blood test for PSA shows a reading above 4.0, you may want to have a more extensive medical exam to determine what is going on. This would be especially true if you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above.

 What Causes BPH and Prostate Cancer?

        While various factors are involved in the development of BPH and prostrate cancer, researchers have come to believe inflammation is a leading dynamic.  The essential fatty acid, alpha linoleic acid (omega 6) converts in the body to arachidonic acid. The body produces an enzyme called 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO).  When 5-LO combines with excessive arachidonic acid, a substance called 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) is formed.

       5-HETE produces inflammation which is thought to be a leading contributor to prostate problems.  Research shows that when the enzyme 5-LO is blocked from making 5-HETE, prostate cancer cells die off.  Therefore it appears 5-HETE is essential for the survival of prostate cancer. 

        Due to the excessive use of vegetable oils in processing food and our high consumption of animal products, the American diet is very high in omega-6 fatty acids while being low in omega-3 fats which reduce inflammation.  Adding flax and fish oil to your diet will increase your levels of omega-3.  Some high quality supplements that will add omega-3 to your diet are Fortified Flax from Omega Life, flax oil from Barleans and  fish oil from Carlson, Enzymatic Therapy and Coromega. 

        You can also reduce the body’s production of 5-LO by using herbs such as ginger, rosemary, saw palmetto and stinging nettle along with pumpkin seed and olive oil.  All these products have naturally occurring 5-LO inhibitors.  A supplement called Prostate 5lx, from the company New Chapter, combines these herbs into a single formula.

 MANAGING BPH AND PROSTATE CANCER:

        Managing and preventing BPH and prostate cancer involves the same dietary, nutritional and life-style dynamics as does managing and preventing disease in general.  You must maintain a strong immune system by eating a high quality whole food diet and avoiding processed, refined foods.  You must avoid refined sugars which will depress the immune system (See October essay on breast cancer).You must get adequate amounts of fiber in the diet to facilitate eliminating the wastes of metabolism.  To be healthy you must exercise.  Exercise lowers blood sugar, boasts immunity, strengthens all body tissues and reduces stress.  Stress reduction is critical as research shows consistently elevated stress levels increases the risk for degenerative disease, including cancer.   

        In addition to these general life style dynamics, there are specific foods, nutrients and supplements that have been shown to be effective in preventing and dealing with existing BPH and prostate cancer.  

 Calcium D-Glucarate:

        Calcium D-Glucarate is a botanical extract found in grapefruit, apples, oranges, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. It supports a detoxification mechanism in the body called glucuronidation, in which toxins and substances that can cause cell mutation are combined with water-soluble substances, thus making them more easily removed from the body. Calcium D-Glucarate has been shown to support this vital process by inhibiting an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. When levels of this enzyme become elevated, it reverses the glucuronidation process and releases the toxins back into the bloodstream. Researchers have discovered that increased beta-glucuronidase activity in the body is strongly associated with prostate cancer.  Studies have shown Calcium D-Glucarate to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. Calcium D-Glucarate is available as a supplement at Milk ‘N Honey.

 Cruciferous Vegetables:

        As mentioned above, broccoli is a food source for Calcium D-Glucarate. It’s been observed that men who eat a lot of broccoli have a lower risk of getting prostate cancer. Broccoli, as well as other cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, collards, kale, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, contains a compound called sulforaphane which has the ability to activate what are called phase 2 enzymes which deactivate cancer causing chemicals in the body. In laboratory experiments, prostate cancer cells exposed to sulforaphane inhibited the growth of cancer cells up to 80 percent.

 Selenium:

        Selenium is a trace mineral found in both plant and animal foods but often in insufficient amounts due to its depletion in our soil.  Selenium is required by the body to make an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase which protects us from cell breakdown caused by lipid oxidation and radiation. Selenium is necessary for the production of interleukin-2 which activates the T-cells of our immune system. Selenium will also block the effects of the toxic metal mercury.  In a recent double blind study of 974 men, researchers found that selenium supplementation cut the rate of prostate cancer by 63%.  Taking at least 200 micrograms of supplemental selenium per day will be beneficial in meeting your body’s needs. Selenium is available at Milk ‘N Honey.    

 Green tea:

        Green tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has a special affinity for prostate cancer cells.  Research has demonstrated EGCG will virtually stop the growth of prostate cancer.  Green tea also contains polyphenols and catechins which have been found to be cancer protective. In addition to using green tea as a beverage, it can also be taken as an extract in capsule or liquid form.  At Milk ‘N Honey we carry all forms of green tea including a liquid extract supplying 98 milligrams of polyphenols,  80 milligrams of catechins and 50 milligrams of EGCG. 

       At Milk ‘N Honey we carry a product called Healthy Cells Prostate from Enzymatic Therapy Company. This product contains calcium D-Glucarate, selenium, broccoli extract, green tea extract, lycopene and several other ingredients in one easy to take formula. 

Pomegranate:

       Like green tea, pomegranate fruit contains polyphenols which are cancer protective. A recent study shows that certain compounds in pomegranate juice lowered PSA levels in men.  Another study showed that mice receiving a high concentration of pomegranate extract had significant slowing of their cancer progression and a decrease in the levels of PSA.  While more research needs to be done, these preliminary findings should encourage one to add pomegranate juice to the diet.  At Milk ‘N Honey, we carry a pomegranate concentrate called Pomegranate Rx.  

Tomatoes:

       Tomatoes contain a plant chemical called lycopene which has been found to be very protective against prostate and lung cancer.  A study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found a 45% lowering of the risk for prostate cancer in men who regularly consumed ten or more servings of tomatoes or tomato based foods per week as opposed to men who did not.  In another study, thirty-two prostate cancer patients ate a pasta meal covered with three-fourths cup of tomato sauce every day for three weeks. Results showed a two point drop in PSA levels in just that short period of time.  Signs of DNA damage also dropped sharply.  Cooking tomatoes has been shown to more than double the effectiveness of lycopene.  Lycopene is also available as a supplement at Milk ‘N Honey. 

 Zinc:

        More zinc is concentrated in the prostate gland than any other area of the body.  Some research indicates zinc may prevent enlarged prostate by inhibiting the 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme that is responsible for the conversion of the hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excessive DHT as been implicated as a cause of enlarged prostate and also a possible dynamic in prostate cancer as it promotes the growth of prostate cells.  Extracts of the herb saw palmetto have also been shown to prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT.  Supplementing with 100 micrograms of zinc per day will contribute to overall zinc sufficiency.   Pumpkin seeds are a good dietary source of zinc and contain omega-3 fatty acids along with compounds that interfere with the conversion of testosterone to DHT.  Zinc, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto extracts are available at Milk ‘N Honey.

 ProstaCare:

        ProstaCare is a product from Himalaya USA which combines a number of Ayurevdic herbs into a blend that has a good track record of managing BPH.  Recent studies have shown ProstaCare helps maintain a normal PSA count, strengthens the bladder and out performs such traditional products as saw palmetto.  ProstaCare is available at Milk ‘N Honey

 Rye Pollen:  

        Rye pollen is known in Europe as Cernilton or Cernitin. Rye pollen has been used for the treatment of chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). There are a number of compounds in rye pollen including cyclic hydroxamic acid which prevents the growth of prostate cells. Other compounds in rye pollen include stigmasterol, quercetin, and cernitin.  Rye pollen has been shown to be very effective in managing BPH.  At Milk ‘N Honey we carry a product from the company Premier One called Prostate Pollen Power.  This product contains rye pollen, saw palmetto and pumpkin seed.

 Shark and Bovine Cartilage:

        Both shark and bovine cartilage taken as a supplement have been shown to enhance immunity and therefore be helpful in protecting against and fighting existing prostate cancer.  Some research indicates shark cartilage will inhibit angiogenesis, a process by which cancerous tumors grow new blood vessels to feed themselves. If you can stop a cancer from growing new blood vessels you will kill the cancer.  The compound genistein found in soy has also been found to inhibit angiogenesis.  Bovine cartilage must be take at nine grams per day to be effective and shark cartilage at much higher dosages.  Both shark and bovine cartilage are available at Milk ‘N Honey.

        As stated at the beginning of this essay, prostate cancer is often slow growing.  With appropriate dietary and life style changes and proper supplementation, prostate cancer and BPH can be effectively managed.