I received this life-saving information about prostate health from Dr. Mike Cutler’s newsletter from True Health. You can find below the natural supplement for prostate health problems that he recommends.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among males. According to research performed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 70 percent of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men aged 65 years or older.
The American Cancer Society reports that in the United States, more than 27,000 men died from the disease in 2007, with more than 218,800 NEW cases reported last year. Sadly, in the United States, prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men. These chilling statistics indicate a need for lifestyle changes in order to prevent—and save the lives of thousands!
There are several signs indicating your prostate may be in trouble. If you experience frequent urination—especially at night… difficulty starting or stopping a urinary stream… blood in your urine… weak urinary flow… painful urination… or even erectile dysfunction, you should see your doctor for a prostate screening test.
It’s important to note that a man will not have alerting symptoms until the prostate is either enlarged by benign hypertrophy or by cancer. So, if you’re a man over 40, DON’T wait until you have symptoms to have the basic screening tests—the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
Furthermore, it’s important to be aware that in up to 25 percent of cases, PSA levels do not rise—meaning the test may not detect cancer that is present. Thus, regular testing is recommended. If your doctor finds abnormal screening tests indicating cancer, a recommendation for further testing will follow.
The tests may be one or more of the following: Urine Analysis (UA); Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) and other bio-markers such as the carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA); transabdominal or transrectal ultrasound (U/S); Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP); and eventually cystoscopy with transurethral biopsy of prostate tissue.
Once it is determined how far the cancer spreads beyond the prostate, and a tissue grade is assigned (Gleason score for how close to normal it appears under a microscope), then your doctor may recommend a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), bone scan or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to image the size and spread of cancer.
Finally, if the evidence points to cancer that is still contained within the prostate, there is a decision to be made as to what type of treatment should follow. For clearly advanced stages of cancer, doctors recommend one or more of the following:
- Radiation with external beam or targeted 3D conformal beam
(for accuracy) - Radiation with internal pellets or implants (brachytherapy)
- Hormonal therapy with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists (Leuprolide, Goserelin and Buserelin)
- Hormonal therapy with anti-androgens (Flutamide and Bicalutamide)
- Hormonal therapy with adrenal-inhibiting drugs (Aminoglutethimide)
- Total androgen blockade (two above combined)
- Cryosurgical Ablation of the Prostate (CSAP)
- Surgery: transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Surgery: radical prostatectomy with variable extent of lymph
node dissection
Each of the conventional treatments listed above have harmful side effects. For example, in the case of radiation therapy, permanent loss of sexual function is a side effect that is highly likely.
An interesting study lead by Richard Valicenti,M.D., assistant professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia followed men for four years after radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. The results? Of the 128 patients that had 3D conformal therapy (a targeted 3-dimensional radiation beam), 33 percent of them reported significantly impaired sexual function. Of the 60 patients that had brachytherapy (radiation implants), 44 percent reported impaired function. And of the 26 who received a more rigorous treatment of external beam therapy plus implants, 74 percent of them lost sexual function!
Natural Alternatives
As an alternative to costly surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, I’d like to share some powerful remedies proven to help fight prostate cancer. In many cases, aggressive natural therapy interventions make all the difference—without the harmful side effects—and many patients have been able to successfully reverse the effects of cancer!
- Serenoa Repens (Saw Palmetto) inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and blocks the adverse effects of estrogen in men. Furthermore, it has been proven to reduce the growth effect of prolactin on prostate cancer cells (prolactin increases conversion of testosterone to DHT).
- Pygeum Africanum (Bitter Almond) is an evergreen tree native to Africa with similar properties to Saw Palmetto. It blocks the effects of prolactin on prostate cells.
- Urtica Dioica (Stinging Nettle) extracts have been proven to decrease prostate cancer cells in the laboratory.
- Micronized Progesterone blocks conversion of testosterone to di-hydro testosterone (DHT).
- Lycopene (tomatoes) has been shown in several studies to be a potent antioxidant that favors prostate tissue and reduces prostate cancer.
- Selenium has been shown to cut mortality rates in lung, prostate and colorectal cancers.
- Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 have been shown to slow the progression of early stages of prostate cancer.
- Vitamins A, C, E, B6, and B12, folate, zinc, copper (low dose), Coenzyme Q10, quercetin, green tea, indole-3-carbinol, and omega-3 fatty acid are all proven to have immune system boosting effects.
Before any treatment options are decided upon, the risks of treatment should be cautiously weighed against the expected benefits. The truth is—surgery, radiation and chemotherapy do nothing to reverse the underlying cause of the cancerous growth.
Moreover, cancer will likely return somewhere else in the body if this is your only treatment strategy. In many cases, aggressive natural therapy interventions make all the difference—WITHOUT the harmful side effects!
For my recommended prostate supplement containing 10 of these vital nutrients, check out Pros-Food™ from Health Resources.
Source: Dr.Michael Cutler, ezines@truehealth.com, June 18, 2008