Suzy’s Top Tips To Protect Against Prostate Cancer
by Suzy Cohen RPh on 09/10/09 at 2:12 pm
Question: My father and brother both died of prostate cancer. I am still fine, but at age 45, I want to do everything I can now to avoid prostate cancer. Truthfully, I am terrified. I’m a faithful reader and I value your opinion. Can you give me more information? –M.M. Phoenix, Arizona
Answer : Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages, and most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75. You are smart to think ahead and so I’ve researched and prepared this list to help you and other proactive men:
1. Consider vitamin D. This antioxidant may help reduce overall cancer risk and lower PSA values by 25 to 50 percent in men with prostate cancer. Healthy amounts of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) are found in cold water seafood and in supplemental cod-liver oil.
2. Reduce free radical damage. I’ll be blunt: stop smoking and eating greasy burgers, French fries, beer, foods with MSG and other artificial chemicals, all of which assault your cells.
3. Test properly. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is America’s gold standard test but unfortunately it could be normal in the presence of prostate cancer, giving a man a false sense of security. A more accurate diagnostic lab test may be to measure the percentage of free PSA rather than absolute, total PSA. Also, evaluating levels of estrogen, androstanediol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, are important.
4. Don’t overmedicate: Prescribed medications suppress serum DHT but lowering it too much could backfire. It’s shocking, but very low DHT hormone will also suppress an anti-cancer hormone called androstanediol, causing more aggressive tumors. Progressive physicians know this, so they routinely measure the ratio between DHT and androstanediol, which is more important than the level of either hormone alone.
5. Consider insulin levels. Chronically elevated blood insulin levels are associated with prostate cancer, especially in men who are overweight.
6. Exercise. When you are overweight, your fat cells hold on to estrogen. Excessive estrogen in a man may cause erectile dysfunction, not to mention a higher risk of cancer.
7. Consider diet. Men who are heavy meat eaters (five times or more per week) are 2 ½ times more likely to develop prostate cancer than men who eat it once a week.
8. Consider natural supplements that support prostate health. Ask your doctor if these are right for you: Quercetin, curcumin, lycopene, beta sitosterol, melatonin and natural anti-fungals. Notice that saw palmetto is not on my list, because even though it can help, it could harm you if it’s not monitored.
Jeff Bell
Nov 1st, 2009
I also have never heard that saw palmetto requires monitoring. I would love any information on this.
BTW, I have also never found that saw palmetto, used by itself was particularly effective. In most people I have seen only minor improvements in BHP if any with the use of saw palmetto. Again, the biggest factor seems to be properly done hormone balance. Follow the terrific work of Dr. Lee.
To your health!
Jeff Bell
Bill Strandwitz, PhD
Oct 12th, 2009
The prostate is an organ of sex. For a healthy prostate, you need to use it. In our preventive medical clinic, we suggested males over 50 should have two orgasms a week.
Also besides saw palmetto, which helps block the formation of DHT, consider also, sting nettle which blocks conversion of estrogen to 16 alpha hydroxyesterone, another cause of BPH.
frances
Oct 11th, 2009
yes, what’s wrong w/saw palmetto???
Gerald Djuth
Oct 11th, 2009
What is wrong with saw palmetto? I haven’t read anything bad about it. Can you be more specific?
Donald Hawkins
Oct 11th, 2009
“. . . Notice that saw palmetto is not on my list, because even though it can help, it could harm you if it’s not monitored.”
Thank you for this most useful analysis. Could you please reveal what types of harm saw palmetto might do, and what type of monitoring is therefore advisable?
Also, I should be grateful for an indication of which “natural antifungals” you have in mind.
With thanks and regards . . .
April
Oct 10th, 2009
Hello Suzy,
Would you please explain why “Saw Palmetto” has to be monitored, and why?
I have never read anything bad about Saw Palmetto.
My Husband has taken it for years. He is 68.
What is DHT?
Thank you,
April