BASIC PROSTATE NUTRITION



Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a potent water-soluble antioxidant. By
strengthening the cellular matrix, vitamin C is
understood to protect against the ability of cancer
cells to invade tissues. In lab studies, vitamin C has
been demonstrated to kill certain cancer cells most
likley by producing hydrogen peroxide within the cell.
A 1987 study found that vitamin C decreased the risk
of prostate cancer. A second study in 1999 found a 23%
decrease in the risk of prostate cancer development
from vitamin C supplementation.
Source: Wei Shen Yan Jiu. 1997;26(2):122-5
Source: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev
1999;8:887-892


Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a nutrient with hormonal activity having
a profound effect on calcium metabolism. Vitamin D has
been shown in studies to halt the cellular development
and division of prostate cancer cells. In fact, low
blood levels of vitamin D in men correlate with
increased risk of prostate cancer incidence.
Inadequate levels of natural sunlight account for a
portion of Vitamin D deficiency. ( prostate cancer
vitamin d )
Source: Cancer Metastasis Rev. 1998-99;17(4):353-60
Source: Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev 1993;2:467-472
Source: J Androl. 2002;23(1):9-17

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant with substantial
benefit to prostate health. A 1996 lung cancer study
involving 29,000 male smokers inadvertently found that
those who took vitamin E had 32% fewer new cases of
prostate cancer compared to those in the study who
were given fake vitamin E. Strong evidence from a
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health study involving
over 20,000 men found that higher blood levels of the
gamma form of vitamin E appeared to decrease risk of
developing prostate cancer. A recent animal study
involving mice found that vitamin E, in conjunction
with other nutrients reviewed here, "dramatically
inhibits prostate cancer development and increases the
disease free survival." ( prostate cancer vitamin e)
Source: J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90:440-446
Source: Am J Epidemiol. 2003 Feb 15;157(4):335-44
Source: Cancer Res. 2004 Aug 15;64(16):5891-6

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
In a 1987 study, thiamin was inversely related to
prostate cancer among men 30-50 years old. That is,
higher levels of thiamin were associated with lower
levels of prostate cancer development. In 1997,
another study further supported this finding.
Source: Nutr Cancer. 1987;9(2-3):123-8
Source: Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1997;26(2):122-5

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Healthy levels of riboflavin appear to inhibit 5
alpha-reductase, the enzyme which converts
testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT
stimulates cellular growth of the prostate gland
contributing to the the development of benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly referred to a
prostate enlargement. In general, any nutrient that
inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT is
considered beneficial for prostate health.
Source: J Antibiot. 1990;43(12):1615-6
Source: J Steroid Biochem 1984;21(3):305-14

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxione)
Research has suggested that vitamin B6 reduces levels
of prolactin hormone in men. This decreases the amount
of testosterone hormone that is converted to the more
active, more dangerous form called dihydrotestosterone
(DHT). It is understood that this decreases the
likelihood of developing prostate problems like BPH.
Source: Altern Med Rev. 2001;6(2):167-87
Source: Prostate 1994;24(3):162-6

Magnesium
Magnesium is found in the prostate in remarkably high
concentrations relative to other body tissues.
Magnesium, along with zinc, are released into the
seminal fluid produced by the male prostate. It is
understood that low levels of magnesium and zinc may
lead to fertility problems. A 2003 study found that
concentrations of magnesium in seminal fluid samples
were significantly decreased in patients with chronic
prostatitis. It is conceivable that restoring proper
magnesium levels may contribute to prostate health and
function.
Source: Cell Mol Biol. 2003;49 Online Pub:OL419-23

Zinc
The zinc concentration of cancerous prostate tissue
has been found to be significantly lower than that of
normal prostate tissue and BPH prostate tissue. Zinc
has been found to inhibit the growth of prostate
cancer cell lines in lab studies. Men who take zinc
were found in one study to have a 45% reduction in
prostate cancer risk. Zinc inhibits the activity of
prostatic 5-alpha-reductase and may inhibit prostatic
uptake of cadmium (a potential cancer-causing agent).
( prostate zinc )
Source: Altern Med Rev. 2001;6(2):167-87
Source: Int Urol Nephrol 1997;29:565-574
Source: Prostate 1999;40:200-207

Selenium
The evidence correlating low selenium levels and a
higher incidence of prostate cancer (and several
others) is quite strong. A 10-year study of the effect
of selenium supplements on skin cancer prevention in
1,300 men inadvertently discovered a 63% lower
incidence of prostate cancer in those men. ( selenium
prostate )
Source: J Amer Med Assc. 1996;276:1957-1963

Green Tea Catechins
A 2004 study firmly stated that green tea catechins
are an effective preventive agent to human prostate
cancers. The primary active ingredient in green tea is
epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. EGCG has clearly
been shown to induce apoptosis (i.e cell dealth) in
human prostate cancer cell progression by inhibiting
enzyme activity necessary for cancer growth.
Source: J Agric Food Chem. 2004;52(3):462-6

Quercetin
Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound
that can be found in apples, onions, tea, and red
wine. Through various mechanisms, quercetin exhibits
anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effects on human prostate
cancer cells.

A 2001 study in the journal Carcinogenesis found that
quercetin inhibited two prostate-specific,
hormone-related tumor markers, PSA & hK2. The study
concludes that quercetin has the potential to become a
preventive agent for prostate cancer.
Published medical studies also demonstrate quercetin's
value in prostatitis.
Source: Carcinogenesis. 2001 Mar;22(3):409-14
Source: Urology. 1999 Dec;54(6):960-3

Grape Seed Extract
A 2002 study found that grape seed extract killed
human prostate cancer cells implanted into lab
animals. A second study in 2004 further supported this
finding. Grape seed extract inhibited the prostate
cancer's growth and blood supply causing significant
reductions in tumor volume and weight.
Source: Int J Cancer. 2004;108(5):733-40
Source: Carcinogenesis. 2002;23(11):1869-76

Citrus Bioflavonoids
A 2000 study, in collaboration with the US Department
of Agriculture (USDA), found that citrus bioflavonoids
appear to have some effect against prostate cancer. Of
the 22 flavonoids studied, tangeretin and nobiletin
were found to be the most effective inhibitor of human
prostate cancer cells. Cranberry flavonoids have also
been shown to inhibit the development of human
prostate cancer cells.
Source: J Agric Food Chem. 2002.50(21):5837-43
Source: J Nutr. 2004 134(6):1529-35

Soy Isoflavones
Soy isoflavones are powerful antioxidants demonstrated
to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase (5AR), an enzyme
implicated in prostate disease development. In one
study, men who consumed soy milk more than once per
day decreased their prostate cancer risk by 70%
compared to those men who did not consume soy milk.
Lab studies have also found soy isoflavones to inhibit
the growth of prosate cancer cells.

Research suggests that soy isoflavones may inhibit
prostate disease development by stimulating your
body's binding protein that keep testosterone hormone
bound. Bound testosterone exerts less hormonal effect
on the prostate gland. It is theorized that bound
testosterone reduces the amount of free testosterone
being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the more
active and dangerous form of testosterone.
Source: J Endocrinol. 1995 147(2):295-302
Source: Cancer Causes Control. 1998 9(6):553-7
Source: Br J Urol. 1998 82(4): 560-3
Source: Nutr Cancer. 1999;35(2):130-6

Inositol
Inositol, also known as phytate or phytic acid, in
found primarily in plant-based foods. Inositol is in
particularly high concentrations in legumes. Lab
studies using human white blood cells have shown
inositol to enhance immune response. Similar studies
have demonstrated anti-tumor effects of inositol in
prostate cancer models.
Source: Anticancer Res 1999;19:3711-3716
Source: Shamsuddin AM. IP6: Nature's Revolutionary
Cancer Fighter. New York: Kensington; 1998.

Lycopene
Lycopene is a powerful carotenoid antioxidant that has
substantial evidence linking higher lycopene intake to
a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Lycopene
is the most efficient of the carotenoid antioxidants
and is the dominant carotenoid in prostate tissue.
Tomatoes, and tomato-based foods, are excellent food
sources of lycopene. Researchers from the US National
Cancer Institute found that men with the highest
levels of lycopene had a 35% lower risk of developing
prostate cancer than those in the study with the
lowers levels of lypopene. A 2004 animal study
involving mice found that lycopene, in conjunction
with other nutrients reviewed here, "dramatically
inhibits prostate cancer development and increases the
disease free survival." ( lycopene prostate )
Source: J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995;87(23):1767-76
Source: Am J Epidemiol. 2002;155(11):1023-32
Source: Cancer Res. 2004;64(16):5891-6
Source: Cancer Res. 1999;59:1225-1230

Boron
Boron is a trace mineral that helps the body retain
other minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Three
exciting new studies in 2004 have all demonstrated the
potential value of dietary boron in prostate health.
In one study increased dietary boron was associated
with a decrease in prostate cancer risk. In a second
study, boron was found to inhibit PSA levels in lab
animals. Among those animals, PSA levels decreased
more than 80%. In the third study, boron inhibited the
development of prostate cancer cells.
Source: Oncol Rep. 2004;11(4):887-92
Source: Toxicol Pathol. 2004;32(1):73-8
Source: Cancer Lett. 2004;216(1):21-9



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