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Every man I know worries about getting prostate cancer. And that's understandable. According to the National
Cancer Institute, it's the second most common cancer among men. Almost 200,000 men this year alone will learn they have prostate
cancer. And nearly 30,000 men a year will die of it.
In most men
with prostate cancer, the disease progresses very slowly. Watchful waiting is often the prescribed treatment. But in some
men, the disease is much more aggressive. Treatment options for this group -- ranging from radical prostatectomy to radiation
therapy -- often come with life-changing side effects which can include incontinence and sexual impairment.
Even with so-called "nerve-sparing" techniques commonly used today, up to 60 percent of men will experience
devastating sexual problems following their prostatectomy.
Wouldn't it be great to avoid prostate
cancer all together?
That's why a new
study out this month caught my attention. Scientists found that a man's vitamin A intake may play a role in preventing the
aggressive type of prostate cancer that's often treated by removing the prostate gland.
In this study, scientists looked at levels of retinol (an active form of vitamin A found in the blood) in 692 men
who had prostate cancer and compared it to 844 men who didn't have the disease.
While high concentrations of retinol didn't reduce a man's overall risk of developing prostate cancer, it did provide
protection against the deadliest forms of the disease. In fact, the men with the highest concentrations of retinol in their
blood had a 42 percent reduced risk of "aggressive prostate cancer" compared to the subjects with the lowest levels
of retinol in their blood.
Translation? Well, the men with the
most vitamin A were 42 percent less likely to suffer from really aggressive prostate cancer. And that's huge, especially when
you consider the type of treatment you're often facing when they discover your cancer is a fast-growing type.
Interestingly, the study authors wrapped up their conclusions with this statement: "Our results suggest that
higher circulating concentrations of retinol are associated with a decreased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Further research
is needed to better understand the significance of elevations in serum retinol concentrations and the possible biological
mechanisms through which retinol affects prostate cancer."
Why scientists don't make good historians
Of course, I had to laugh when
I read this.
The authors made it sound like they are the first
to ever determine that vitamin A can reduce a man's risk of getting prostate cancer. The truth is, we've known for at least
30 years (maybe even 80 years) that vitamin A can be a man's best friend in preventing prostate cancer.
According to Robert E. Willner, M.D., Ph.D. in his authoritative book The Cancer Solution, "Shortly after its
discovery in 1922, Vitamin A was found to be effective in the prevention of cancer."
Dr. Willner also reminds us of a massive vitamin A study conducted in 1974 by the National Cancer Institute. Scientists
followed 25,000 men over the age of 50 for ten years to see if they developed prostate cancer. (Yes--25,000 men! That's a
huge study with results you just can't ignore.)
Surprise, surprise...
they found a direct correlation between vitamin A intake and prostate cancer. In fact, the scientists at the NCI confirmed
that the lower the level of vitamin A in the blood, the higher the risk of prostate cancer. And that was more than 30 years
ago!
Isn't anyone listening?
In 1974 scientists knew that low vitamin A could put you at risk for prostate cancer. But this month scientists put out
a study that "suggests" a connection between vitamin A and cancer?
So what gives? Why isn't anyone listening? How many times do we need to turn up the same results before someone starts
to listen? Heck, 2,000 years ago Hippocrates said: "Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food."
If we all just followed his advice, there certainly would be fewer cases of prostate cancer today. Urologists should be handing
out vitamin A, well, like candy!
In any case, to get more vitamin A in your diet (and you should if you're a man
who'd like to lower his risk of prostate cancer and possible prostatectomy), here are some good food sources: - Carrots
(keep a cup of them out on your countertop; fill the bottom with an inch of water to keep them fresh)
- Sweet potatoes
- Beef
& chicken (another reason to keep some organic meat and poultry in your diet)
- Kale
- Spinach
- Cantaloupe
- Winter
squash
- Egg yolks
Supplementing safely with Vitamin A
Vitamin
A is a fat-soluble vitamin and protects your cells against abnormalities. There are four things to be aware of when supplementing
with vitamin A. First, you can technically get too much, though it's very rare. The symptoms of excess vitamin A aren't hard
to spot: dry hair, headaches, etc. But I've found if you're supplementing with vitamin A in conjunction with vitamin C (at
least 1,000 mgs 2x per day), you won't run into any problems.
Secondly,
beware of synthetic vitamin A. All the hype about vitamin A toxicity was due to synthetic A, which you should never take.
Also, don't assume beta-carotene is the same as vitamin A. Go for natural fish oil vitamin A.
Thirdly, the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin A is too low, in my opinion. Many good supplements will include
10,000 IUs of A. But that's probably not enough if you're looking to treat a specific problem. Believe it or not, the starting
threshold for the therapeutic use of vitamin A for acne, for example, is 50,000 IUs daily. (I usually recommend trying 100,000
IU for two to three months and if the acne improves, go lower.) Some practitioners who use vitamin A therapy with their cancer
patients prescribe in the neighborhood of 1,000,000 IU per day (yep, a million).
Lastly, there is a definite risk of birth defects due to high-dose A use during conception and the first trimester.
So if you're a young woman of childbearing years, I would recommend exercising caution and, of course, working closely with
your obstetrician or naturopath.
I take 50,000-75,000 IUs a day
of vitamin A and have for decades. It's just another safeguard we as men can -- and should -- take to protect ourselves against
this all too common form of cancer.
Until next time,
Allan Spreen, M.D.
NorthStar Nutritionals
Your
Health: Walnuts, Broccoli and Pomegranates Cut Risk of Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer represents one of the most significant health threats to American men. According to the American Cancer
Society, one in six men in the U.S. will develop the cancer, and one in 35 men will die of the disease.
The good news is that prostate cancer often responds favorably to positive lifestyle changes, especially changes in
diet.
The results of a recent study at UC Davis and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture demonstrated that consumption of walnuts can slow the progression of prostate tumors. Walnuts are rich in beneficial
omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and other cancer-fighting plant nutrients known as polyphenols.
For the study, the researchers fed a diet with whole walnuts to mice that had been genetically programmed to develop
prostate cancer. After 18 weeks, tumor growth was reduced by as much as 40 percent in mice consuming the human equivalent
of 2.4 ounces of walnuts daily compared to mice fed nut-free rations.
Human studies show that eating at least one serving of broccoli each week can reduce the risk of developing prostate
cancer in the first place. In men who have the disease, regular consumption of broccoli can help prevent the cancer from spreading.
According to a scientific review published last year in the Journal
of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, diets rich in plant foods are beneficial in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
Regular consumption of tomatoes and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, kale and cauliflower, was linked to a significantly
lower risk of developing the disease and a slowing of its progression.
The results of a study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh suggest that the polyphenols found in cruciferous
vegetables act by impairing the growth of prostate cancer cells. These powerful plant compounds also inhibit the formation
of new blood vessels that feed the tumors and allow the cancer to spread.
Regular consumption of broccoli offers excellent cancer protection, but the protection provided by a combination of
broccoli and tomatoes may be even better. Researchers at the University of Illinois found that prostate tumors shrank more
in animals fed extracts of both broccoli and tomatoes than in those fed either substance alone.
While raw broccoli appears to offer greater cancer protection than cooked broccoli, heated tomato products may be
more beneficial than raw tomatoes. Slicing, dicing and heating tomatoes makes their primary cancer-fighting compound, lycopene,
easier for the body to absorb.
Numerous studies have proven the
benefits of lycopene in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. In a six-year trial involving nearly 48,000 male
health professionals, Harvard researchers found that those who consumed tomato products more than twice weekly lowered their
risk of developing prostate cancer by as much as 34 percent.
At
the Karmanos Cancer Institute, researchers found that when men with prostate tumors were treated with lycopene, the cancer
was significantly less likely to grow or spread throughout the body. Treatment with lycopene from tomatoes also lowered blood
levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), a biomarker used to evaluate the progression of prostate cancer.
Like tomatoes, pomegranate juice has proven benefits in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. The pomegranate,
a fruit native to the Middle East, is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols with powerful anticancer properties.
In a three-year UCLA study, researchers evaluated the effects of daily consumption of pomegranate juice in 50 men
with prostate cancer. The men had undergone treatment with surgery or radiation, but quickly experienced ominous rises in
PSA levels.
The researchers measured the "doubling time,"
or the length of time in which PSA levels double, a signal that the cancer is progressing. Doubling time is critically important
in prostate cancer, because men who exhibit short doubling times in PSA are more likely to die from the disease.
The men in the study who drank an 8 ounce glass of pomegranate juice daily experienced a nearly fourfold increase
in the period during which PSA levels remained stable, rather than rising. Compared to an average doubling time of roughly
15 months, the men treated with pomegranate juice exhibited much more favorable doubling times of 54 months.
A diet rich in pomegranate juice, walnuts, broccoli and tomatoes can't be considered a cure for prostate cancer, but
it might help prevent a recurrence in men with a history of the disease. For men who have never had the condition, regular
consumption of these and other plant foods could dramatically reduce the risk of getting prostate cancer in the first place.
Don't Gamble When It Comes To Your Prostate!
By Dr. Mark Rosenberg By the time you are 60 -- if you're a man -- there's a fifty-fifty chance that
you'll be suffering from an enlarged prostate. If you live long enough, your chances climb to 90%. An enlarged prostate -- a condition called benign prostate hyperplasia
(BPH), is a non-cancerous swelling of the prostate. As your prostate begins to swell, you'll find that you need to make more
frequent trips to the bathroom, your urine stream will be weak, and you'll have a hard time finishing what you started...
if you know what I mean. Of course, annoying
bathroom urges are only part of the problem. An enlarged prostate can also interfere with your sex life and your overall quality
of life. Often an enlarged prostate is a symptom of a hormone imbalance that could be having a more significant impact on
your health than you realize. Most doctors
take a wait-and-see approach to an enlarged prostate. They figure if it doesn't grow too fast and the symptoms don't become
too severe, then it's something you can live with. If the symptoms become unmanageable, then the next option is surgery. This approach ignores several middle-ground options. In fact,
you can begin treating your enlarged prostate right away. Many of the same steps you take now can also protect you from prostate
cancer in the future -- an unrelated condition. You'll also relieve a lot of the symptoms that come with an enlarged prostate
-- it's a win-win strategy. Caring for an Enlarged Prostate...
How to Slow Its Growth and Keep it From Becoming
a BIG Problem Most
doctors chalk up prostate growth to a natural part of the aging process. And that's why they feel comfortable taking a hands-off
approach until things get real bad! I'd
much rather see my patients take action to slow their prostate growth and to attempt to prevent the need for surgery from
ever arising. This strategy improves the quality of your life and has the added bonus of cutting your risks of cancer. So, just how do you keep your prostate from growing out-of-control? Your first step is to start eating the foods that can most help your prostate.
I suggest that you include a quality protein with every meal and then have cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower,
or cabbage four to five times a week. Snacks that are high in zinc and magnesium are also beneficial to your prostate. But there's more you can do. It's important that you be physically active. I'm not saying you have to
kill yourself working out for 90 minutes at a time, but anything you can do to increase your daily physical activity will
help. Research shows that men who get the most exercise reduce their risks of an enlarged prostate by 40%.1 You can also help reduce your risks of an enlarged prostate or slow the
growth of your prostate by taking a supplement that contains saw palmetto. Saw palmetto contains compounds that help slow
prostate growth. It can help prevent your prostate from becoming enlarged, or if you already have an enlarged prostate, it
can help reduce your symptoms. I recommend
that you choose a supplement that's been standardized to at least 85% active fatty acids and sterols. Take between 300 and
350 mg each day. Of course, you've
probably already heard of saw palmetto and know that it can help your prostate, but it isn't the only supplement that can
ease prostate problems. A lesser known supplement called beta sitosterol can also be of help... especially when it comes to
preventing cancer. In laboratory tests, beta sitosterol slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells.2 Another good supplement to help prevent prostate cancer is
cranberry extract. Cranberries contain several natural compounds that stop cancer cells from multiplying. In lab tests, cranberry
extract effectively slowed all types of prostate cancer by an impressive 50%.3 When it comes to an enlarged prostate, it's important to take action and
to take control of your health. You can slow down or even stop your prostate from continuing to grow, and while you're at
it, you'll be giving yourself some extra protection against prostate cancer. All told, these steps can make a big, big difference
in your quality of life later on. Stay well, Mark Rosenberg, MD
This Cancer Fighter Isn't Even on their Radar
Screen By
Al Sears, MD If you're a man in this country, you've probably
heard a lot about skyrocketing rates of prostate cancer. With good reason: it's the second leading cause of cancer death in
American men. Today I'll tell you about a little-known weapon in the
battle against this man killer. It's a basic, plentiful mineral, but few doctors know much about it -- or its health benefits.
It's called boron. Boron is one of nutritional science's ugly stepchildren.
It's a "trace element," meaning it's toxic in high doses, but vital to health in small amounts. It's also toxic
to animals and insects, which is why it's still used as a commercial pesticide in the form of boric acid. That's one reason people don't know about boron. Another is that researchers didn't even recognize
its role as an essential nutrient until the late 1980s. They stumbled on it by chance while conducting animal studies. Add that to the mainstream medical establishment's focus on drugs and surgery to deal with prostate
cancer, and you can see why boron's not on the radar screen. You won't find it in most multi-vitamins. And most men don't
get enough of it through diet alone. That's a big problem, because all
men really need it. Boron's one of your prostate's most potent
allies. Scientific research has revealed that it can cut your risk of prostate cancer in half. One recent study compared the
eating habits of 76 men with prostate cancer with those of 7,651 men who were cancer-free. The men whose diets were the most
boron-rich were 64% less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who got the least boron in their diet.1 Boron's power is not only preventive; it may become an alternate form of prostrate cancer treatment
in the future. In mice, boron shrank prostate tumors by 25-38% and reduced PSA levels by 86 to 88%.2 What's more, boron has the power to reverse the signs of aging. It acts like an iron shield
against arthritis by blocking the enzymes that cause pain and inflammation.3 It's crucial to bone strength
and brainpower, with increasing benefits as people age. Boron keeps bones from losing calcium and magnesium. It also keeps
your mind razor-sharp by improving eye-hand coordination, attention span, and even short- and long-term memory.4 Now you can understand why you should know about boron. But how can you get enough of it? One way is through diet, of course. Foods rich in boron include fruits, nuts, and legumes. Plums
(and prunes), red grapes, apples, pears, and avocados all contain boron. I tell my patients to make all-natural trail mix
their snack food of choice -- all those raisins and nuts are a great source of boron. Another surefire way to get enough boron is to take a supplement. I recommend 3-6 mg per day.
Risk of extraprostatic prostate cancer decreased with increasing
vegetable intake
I'm seriously allergic to broccoli.
If my food is even cooked with it, I'm out of commission with a killer migraine for at least three days.
That's
why I'm always a little envious when I tell you about a health benefit linked to broccoli intake. But today, no envy, because
today I have some news about broccoli that primarily affects those with prostate glands.
So men, get out your
broccoli forks.
Here's how my research day went…
A colleague sent me a UPI article
titled "Why Eating Broccoli Cuts Prostate Cancer" – a promising start to the morning. The article led me to
a recent study published online in the journal titled PLoS ONE (Public Library of Science).
Here's a sentence
from the opening paragraph: "Some studies have specifically demonstrated that consuming one or more portions of broccoli
per week can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer, and also the progression from localized to aggressive forms of prostate
cancer."
Even more promising!
So I followed a couple of footnotes and suddenly found myself knee
deep in "signaling pathways" and "insulin peptides." In other words, you'd need to be Mr. Science to get
it all on the first pass. I'm neither Mr. nor Mrs. Science, but over time I've figured out how to drill down to the good stuff.
STUDY ONE
Researchers at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York conducted food frequency interviews with
nearly 1,000 men. More than 500 had prostate cancer. (There was a genetic aspect to this study, but I'll assume, gentlemen,
that you haven't paid the thousands of dollars required to map your complete genetic profile, so we'll set aside the genetics
for today.)
Results: "Intakes of cruciferous vegetables and broccoli…were associated with decreased
prostate cancer risk." And: "Two or more servings per month of cruciferous vegetables may reduce prostate cancer
risk. (Cruciferous vegetables include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and, of course, broccoli.)
STUDY TWO
Much like the researchers in Study One, researchers at Cancer Care Ontario collected data gathered
from food frequency questionnaires completed by well over 29,000 men. More than 1,300 had prostate cancer.
Results:
"Vegetable and fruit consumption was not related to prostate cancer risk overall; however, risk of extraprostatic prostate
cancer (stage III or IV tumors) decreased with increasing vegetable intake. This association was mainly explained by intake
of cruciferous vegetables, in particular, broccoli and cauliflower."
And: "High intake of cruciferous
vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower, may be associated with reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer."
Granted, these aren't clinical studies, but taken together (along with a number of other studies cited in that original
research that started things off) you've got to feel pretty good about regular broccoli consumption if you own a prostate.
So let's go back to that original research, and, again, clear away the genetic chit chat (or most of it) to see
where the researchers (from the UK's Norwich Research Park) took the broccoli/prostate ball.
The Norwich team
recruited 22 men between the ages of 57 and 70 who had been diagnosed with pre-invasive prostate cancer. For one year, all
the men followed their normal diets, but half the group added 14 ounces of broccoli each week, while the other half added
14 ounces of peas each week. Tissue samples were taken from each subject's prostate gland at the beginning of the study, again
at six months, and again at 12 months.
Results showed that steady broccoli intake interacted with a specific gene,
prompting changes to signaling pathways associated with prostate cancer and inflammation.
And here's how the Norwich
team concluded their PLoS write up: "This study provides, for the first time, experimental evidence obtained in humans
to support observational studies that diets rich in cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and other
chronic disease."
And that concluded my research day. But before we turn out the lights and lock the door,
you might want to check the e-Alert "Throttle Up" (10/6/05), for an additional broccoli bonus that may be very
beneficial to men AND women in their later years.
Alternative Approaches to Prostate Cancer Care
Mark Stengler, ND
La Jolla Whole Health Clinic
 ver the course of a lifetime, one man in six eventually will be diagnosed with prostate cancer... one in 35 will die from
it. Despite how common the disease is, the treatment path for prostate cancer is seldom clear. Even conventional doctors who
specialize in prostate cancer frequently disagree about the best course of action. Surgery to remove the prostate gland and perhaps the nearby lymph nodes often is recommended, yet
it can have onerous side effects -- including incontinence that lasts for months or years and lifelong erectile dysfunction.
What's more, statistics show that surgery does not necessarily increase a man's life span. For these reasons, many doctors now recommend a "watch and wait" approach rather than surgery.
Prostate cancer usually is slow-growing, and more than 70% of the men who develop it are over age 65. The older a man is,
the more likely he is to die of some other condition before his prostate cancer becomes a real threat. The American Cancer
Society (www.cancer.org) states, "At this time, watchful waiting is a reasonable option for some
men with slow-growing cancers because it is not known whether active treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy and hormone
therapy, prolongs survival." The holistic view:
For prostate cancer patients age 65 and older, as well as for some younger men whose cancer does not appear to be fast-growing,
I support the decision to watch and wait before pursuing aggressive conventional treatment -- with one important caveat. Instead
of waiting passively and doing nothing, I recommend a proactive approach using natural therapies that may slow or halt
cancer growth or even cause the cancer to diminish. My
regimen includes various nutritional supplements -- including two new ones being researched at major university medical centers.
Several of my patients with localized prostate cancer are using these natural therapies under my care -- and now, up to 12
years after diagnosis, they continue to do well. Unless
noted otherwise, all supplements described below are available at health-food stores, generally are safe to take indefinitely
and cause no significant side effects. Important: It is vital that men who have prostate cancer be monitored by an oncologist.
Show your doctor this article, and discuss your desire to incorporate these natural therapies. CUTTING-EDGE PROSTATE CARE Aaron E. Katz, MD, associate professor of clinical urology and director of the Center of Holistic
Urology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, is heading the research on two new supplements that are showing
promise in the fight against prostate cancer. Studies are still in progress. Here is what we know so far...  Zyflamend. This unique formula from New Chapter (800-543-7279, www.newchapter.com, about $50 for 120 capsules) combines phytochemicals (beneficial plant chemicals)
with herbal extracts from turmeric, ginger, green tea, rosemary, hu zhang (Japanese knotweed), Chinese goldthread, barberry,
oregano, baikal skullcap and holy basil.
Dr. Katz's
laboratory study, published in 2005, found that Zyflamend reduced prostate cancer cell proliferation by up to 78% and may
even have killed some existing prostate cancer cells. How it works: Chronic inflammation is linked to the formation of cancerous
cells... and Zyflamend inhibits activity of two enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that promote inflammation. Last year, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center published their own laboratory
study showing that Zyflamend reduces activity of a family of proteins called NF-kappa B. When overactive, these proteins stimulate
abnormal prostate cell growth. Dr. Katz's team is now
analyzing results of a clinical trial of Zyflamend among men at high risk for prostate cancer. Preliminary findings are encouraging.
The trial included 23 men, ages 46 to 75, who were diagnosed via biopsy with a type of precancerous cell proliferation called
high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) -- a marker suggesting an 80% chance that cancer will develop within
10 years. The men also had elevated levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) -- a substance produced by prostate gland cells
and often elevated when cancer exists. Participants took one Zyflamend pill three times a day for 18 months. Blood tests and
biopsies then showed... The PIN disappeared in 62% of patients. Half of the men had decreases in PSA levels -- some by more than 50% -- indicating a return to more normal prostate cell activity.
For all of the nine patients who did develop cancer, the disease was the slow-growing type and confined to a small area.
If you are at risk: Based on the evidence that Zyflamend can reverse PIN and reduce PSA, I recommend
taking three Zyflamend capsules daily (with meals to avoid gastric upset), continuing indefinitely, if you have any of the
following... An enlarged prostate (as detected during a doctor's exam) Any abnormal prostate PIN PSA that is elevated for your age. PSA is considered elevated if it is at or above 2.5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) in
your 40s... 3.5 ng/ml in your 50s... 4.5 ng/ml in your 60s... or 6.5 ng/ml in your 70s. An ultrasound or other imaging test showing prostate lesions One or more immediate family members with a history of prostate cancer, if you are over age 50.
If you have high-grade PIN or prostate cancer: In addition to taking Zyflamend, consider taking a
second new supplement, Prostabel, described below... Prostabel. Available on-line from Natural Source International (888-308-7066, www.natural-source.com, $145 for 100 capsules), Prostabel combines extracts from the barks of the Amazonian
Pao pereira tree and the sub-Saharan plant Rauwolfia vomitoria. In 1980, scientists from the Pasteur Institute in France identified
the cancer-fighting properties of these substances. Dr.
Katz's team at Columbia is now conducting a clinical trial on Prostabel. The study currently has 25 men, ages 40 to 75, with
negative biopsy reports but elevated PSA levels. Participants were assigned to take from two to eight capsules of Prostabel
daily for 12 months. Findings are preliminary -- eight
men have completed the 12-month course of treatment to date. Prostabel significantly lowered PSA in five of the eight men.
While four of the men have developed cancer, their cancers are small and slow-growing. Researchers are waiting to see if Prostabel
suppresses cancer cell growth in the remaining 17 participants. Just one patient, who was on the highest dosage, developed
liver enzyme problems as a side effect. Surprising: Patients experienced significant improvements in urination problems common
among older men, such as frequent need to urinate and slowed stream. To inquire about the clinical trial, call 212-305-3790. Recommended dosage: Three Prostabel capsules daily. Take on an empty stomach to maximize absorption -- if
it causes digestive upset, take with meals instead. MORE CANCER FIGHTERS In addition to
taking Zyflamend and/or Prostabel, I recommend that men who have had a diagnosis of prostate cancer take all of the following,
continuing indefinitely... Zinc. The prostate gland is extremely sensitive to hormones, especially estrogen. Although estrogen is primarily a female
hormone, as men age and their testosterone levels decrease, an enzyme called aromatase converts some of the remaining testosterone
to estrogen, thereby increasing risk for prostate cancer. Zinc helps to slow the activity of aromatase. Dosage: 50 mg daily. Caution: Check with your doctor before taking zinc if you are undergoing chemotherapy
-- zinc may not be compatible with some chemotherapy drugs. Copper. Long-term zinc supplementation can lead to a copper deficiency, so also take 2 mg of copper daily. Selenium. This mineral appears to protect against prostate cancer, perhaps by providing antioxidants (chemical compounds that
protect cells from free radicals that can damage cell DNA). Dosage:
200 micrograms (mcg) daily. Note: Although evidence is not conclusive, selenium has been linked to increased risk for diabetes
-- so have your blood sugar monitored regularly. Vitamin E. This provides antioxidants that guard against cell damage. Dosage: 200 international units (IU) daily of "mixed" vitamin E (as indicated on label). Calcium limit. Take no more than 500 mg of supplemental calcium daily. Some evidence links high doses to increased prostate
cancer risk. Men who have been diagnosed with prostate
cancer and who want a more aggressive approach can add the following and continue taking them indefinitely... Indole 3-carbinol. Supplementing with this plant chemical found in cruciferous vegetables helps the liver metabolize and excrete
estrogen. Dosage: 400 mg daily. Maitake mushroom extract. This enhances immune function. Use capsules or tincture labeled "standardized MD-fraction." Dosage: 1 mg per day for every 2.2 pounds of body weight (for instance, a 165-pound man would take
75 mg daily... a 200-pound man would take 90 mg daily). Take in two divided doses on an empty stomach. Beta glucan. Beta glucan is a complex sugar. The most beneficial form is derived from baker's yeast and sold under the brand
name WPG 3-6. It boosts the immune system's effectiveness against cancer and other diseases. Dosage: 500 mg twice daily. The brand I recommend is ImmunotiX 3-6, the potent and purified WGP 3-6
product from Xymogen (800-647-6100, www.xymogen.com).
Seeds of Youth Pomegranates have always been intimidating,
haven’t they? They're beautiful but dangerous, squirting their permanent red juice everywhere when you try to wrestle
the seeds out. But this holiday season, some local markets have gotten smart and hung a how-to sign next to baskets of the
knobby red fruit. The secret, it turns out, is
to break apart pomegranates underwater. Here’s the trick: Score the leathery rind, and then submerge the fruit in a
bowl of water while you break apart the segments and tease the seeds free from the white pith. The pith floats, so it's easy
to skim off. Pour the rest through a colander and in minutes you'll have hundreds of seeds and no stains! Pomegranate seeds are worth the trouble because they're an antiaging,
skin-protecting, cancer-fighting powerhouse -- a true RealAge food. Each bittersweet seed is packed
with anthocyanins, vitamin C, lycopene, and resveratrol. Research in humans has shown that the juice reduces several risk
factors for heart disease and inhibits tumor growth. But the star of the show, beauty-wise, is ellagic acid. "Ellagic acid increases the body's built-in
supply of glutathione, an antioxidant that both protects DNA and helps recycle estrogen, which protects skin cells. It also
inhibits certain enzymes in ways that give cells time to divide normally," explains Los Angeles dermatologist Howard
Murad, MD, who has been putting pomegranate extract in his line of skin care products for nearly 20 years. The ancient Greeks believed that eating this "apple of many seeds" might lead to immortality. And, hey,
anything that keeps skin cells plump a little longer, maintains a healthier heart, and holds promise for preventing cancer
has got to be good, right? Pomegranate power! Learn more about how pomegranates protect your health.
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