Prostate Cancer

In the United States, prostate cancer is the #2 cancer for men, right behind skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 200,000 new cases occur each year with 28,000 deaths recorded. 1 in 7 men will have prostrate cancer at some point in their lives and all men over 90 who have autopsies performed have some form of the disease. It is very rare to be diagnosed before 40 with the average age of discovery being 66. Those are some pretty startling facts.

No one knows why it happens, but increasing age, predisposition because of family history and diet will increase chances of developing this disease. As a matter of fact, prostate cancer is much more prevelant in the United States in comparison to Japan. The Japanese have diets rich in fruits and veggies which can lower your risk significantly.

The positive things about prostate cancer (if you have it, you HAVE to look at the positives), it is SLOW growing. A tumor in the prostate can double in 6 years, in comparison to breast cancer which can double in 3 to 3.5 years. Patients who are diagnosed early have nearly a 100% chance of survival. Please make sure to be screened…it can’t be any worse than what us girls go through, and screening could save your life!

In my research on the subject, I found several “natural” vitamins and supplements that have shown to make an improvement in prostate health and in some cases slow or reverse cancer or cancerous cells.

ZINC: The #1 element that comes up as a “natural” aid in prostate cancer. Fruits and veggies, especailly those rich in lycopene (tomato-especially cooked), zinc and selenium are said to be very beneficial.

STINGING NETTLE: This old remedy is touted as being able to protect you from prostate cancer before it develops.

VITAMIN D3: Exhibits antitumorigenic properties as well as anti-metastatic potential.

SAW PALMETTO: Shown to help relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy and may also help urine flow.

POMEGRANATE: In rodent studies, pomegranate has been shown to reduce cancer cell growth. Human cells have shown the same promise warranting more indepth research. (I am a HUGE fan of POM and it’s antioxidant properties!)

CBD: Experimental evidence seems to support that prostate tissue contains cannabinoid receptors. When CBD activates these receptors, testosterone blockers which are also called anti-androgens are stimulated which help decrease a cancer cells viability and increase cancer cell death, known as apoptosis.

A couple excellent supplements came up in my research, these supplements contain most if not all of the above and more (CBD is not in a lot of supplements yet, but it will not surprise me to see more and more. In the meantime, I have put a link at the bottom of the page):

PureNature Prostate Support: This one product contains pygeum, saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds, nettle, green tea, cats claw, shitake and reishi mushrooms (hmmmm…imagine that…MORE mushrooms!).

GAIA Prostate Health: This combination has green tea, nettle, pomegranate, pumpkin, rosemary, saw palmetto and sage. I am a HUGE fan of Gaia products! They are great quality and can be found in most of the vitamin and health food stores.

Full Spectrum CBD oils: healthelevate.com/kr.

A good multi-vitamin that contains selenium, vitamin a, vitamin e, vitamin b3, folic acid, b6 and b12, vitamin c and vitamin d.

Coenzyme CoQ10: Improves celluar oxygenation. Helps support the immune system.

Check out individual supplements or a great combination like the couple mentioned above. Please remember an annual screening, a few moments of discomfort could potentially save your life!

Next section: Roots (um, no pun intented) :-).