I’ve written a couple of articles on supplements for prostate health.
So why another one?
This one comes directly from the National Cancer Institute and provides a very objective and balanced approach to this issue about using supplements for prostate health.
Prostate cancer is the most common internal cancer affecting men. Here in the United States approximately 12% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
An even greater number of men are affected by prostate concerns like an enlarged prostate.
In the introduction for this large PDF (86 pages), the National Cancer Institute notes that the use of vitamins and other supplements are widely used by men for both prevention and prostate health. Almost 60% of men that have a family history of prostate cancer use some form of supplementation to reduce their risk.
Here is a list of what they cover:
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Calcium
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Green Tea
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Lycopene
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Modified Citrus Pectin
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Pomegranate
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Selenium
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Soy
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Vitamin D
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Vitamin E
In this article I’m going to give you the primary conclusion the National Cancer Institute has for each of these ingredients. Then I’ll provide some of my thoughts at the end.
Calcium – the most abundant mineral in the body.
“Some studies suggest that high total calcium intake may be associated with increased risk of advanced and metastatic prostate cancer, compared with lower intake of calcium. “
Green Tea- catechins are the key ingredient.
“Some research suggests that green tea may have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease and against various forms of cancer, including prostate cancer.
Catechins are polyphenol compounds in tea that are associated with many of tea’s proposed health benefits.
Green tea catechins (GTCs) include (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), (−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and oligomeric proanthocyanidins derived from these catechin monomers.
Laboratory, preclinical, and early-phase clinical trials have identified EGCG as one of the most potent modulators of molecular pathways thought to be relevant to prostate carcinogenesis. EGCG has been shown to act as an androgen antagonist and can suppress prostate cancer cell proliferation, suppress production of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) by prostate cancer cells, and demonstrate potent and selective proapoptotic activity in prostate cancer cell lines in vitro.”
Lycopene – is a phytochemical known as a carotenoid in the pigment of several fruits and vegetables.
“Lycopene inhibits androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer cells in vitro and, along with some of its metabolites, reduces prostate cancer cell proliferation and may modulate cell-cyle progression.
Lycopene may also affect the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) intracellular pathway in prostate cancer cells.
Results from several in vitro and animal studies have indicated that lycopene may have chemopreventive effects for cancers of the prostate, skin, breast, lung, and liver; however, human trials have been inconsistent in their findings.”
Modified Citrus Pectin – is a complex polysaccharide found in the peel and pulp of citrus fruit.
“Preclinical research suggests that modified citrus pectin (MCP) may have effects on cancer growth and metastasis through multiple potential mechanisms.”
Pomegranate – this fruit contains various minerals and polyphenolic compounds that provide multiple health benefits.
“The only fully reported clinical trial of the use of pomegranate juice in men with prostate cancer showed that, on average, study participants who drank the juice had an increase in their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT) and it was associated with improve survival (i.e., slower progression of the disease).”
Selenium – is an essential trace mineral needed for enzyme regulation, gene expression, and immune function.
“In 2011, update results from SELECT showed no significant effects of selenium supplementation on risk, but men who took vitamin E alone had a 17% increase in prostate cancer risk compared with men who took placebo.”
Soy – is a plant food that contains a number of phytochemicals, but isoflavones have gotten most of the attention.
“Early-phase clinical trials with isoflavones, soy, and soy products for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer have been limited to relatively short durations of intervention and sample sizes with low statistical power. These studies targeted heterogeneous prostate cancer patient populations (in high-risk, early- and later-stage disease) and varying does of isoflavones, soy, and soy products, and have not demonstrated evidence of reducing prostate cancer progression.”
Vitamin D – is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role is multiple health issues.
“Preclinical studies suggest that vitamin D may have effects on prostate cancer cells through various pathways.”
Vitamin E – is a fat-soluble vitamin that can come in 8 different forms.
“in 2011, updated results from SELECT showed that men who took vitamin E alone had a 17% increase in prostate cancer risk compared with men who took placebo.”
Supplements for Prostate Health – Concluding Thoughts
When you examine this information from the National Cancer Institute there are 3 key nutrients that stand out. They are:
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Green Tea
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Lycopene
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Pomegranate
If you are not already incorporating these ingredients into your diet, then I would recommend that you do. Besides showing promise for prostate health, they also provide a wide variety of other health benefits.
Regarding vitamin D, I was a bit surprised by the lack of studies on this nutrient and prostate health. By itself, vitamin D supplementation is critical to your immune health. If interested, then click here to my new video titled, “Vitamin D Deficiency” for more information on this key nutrient.
If you use selenium, be careful not to over consume this trace mineral. It’s a trace mineral for a reason.
Finally, I would recommend beta carotene as the source for any vitamin E needs. The reason why is that beta carotene is water soluble so you will not have to worry about toxicity since it’s not stored in your body. And your body will convert beta carotene to vitamin E as it needs it. This then gives you the best of both worlds. Beta carotene as a powerful antioxidant. And vitamin E for heart health when your body needs additional amount of this vitamin.
Editor’s Note:
Ronald, the main editor at Qi Supplements ask me to review an article titled “What is the best thing to drink for your prostate?” I have read this article and it contains useful information on both what to drink and what NOT TO drink. Here is the link to this article: https://qisupplements.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-best-thing-to-drink-for-your-prostate
Hey Dan,
I have a question about Selenium, particularly SelenoExcell (from high-selenium yield). I take 2 supplements; SelenexGSH by North American Nutra, and a similar product by NatureCity: True Milk
Thistle which has Selenium (from high-selenium yeast) (SelenoExcell). The Milk Thistle by NatureCity
has 100 mcg = 182% Daily Value and the other product GSH uses 200 mcg = 364% Daily Value. So daily
I take 300 mcg of this particular type of Selenium. What is your opinion on my intake please. Btw, I need to order more of your ProArgi- 9, same as I normally get, can I get it set up on re occurring shipments? I would like to have it debited out around the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If not, I will keep ordering.
I usually get the packets monthly. Thank you,
Charles Lasley