Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and fifth leading cause of death in men. Diet, lifestyle, environment, and genetics are all regarded as risk factors for this deadly disease. Understanding it, and identifying warning signs early are key to controlling — and even reversing — its progression.
Men who suffer from an enlarged prostate gland often experience frustrating and uncomfortable urinary symptoms and sexual difficulties. An overaccumulation of androgens (sex hormones) can promote the unbridled growth of cells in the prostate gland, increasing its size and causing it to block the bladder’s flow of urine. Prostate obstruction can be a result of benign prostatic enlargement (BPH) or prostatic cancer. Although it is quite common among older men, the good news is that the condition is avoidable and even reversible.
Take Skip Stein for example. I recently interviewed this 15+ year cancer survivor who was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2010 and was told he had three years to live. Skip describes how he went on his “Last Hurrah” trip across the U.S. with his wife, and came home free of cancer. How did he do it? He describes in this video interview why one of the first things he did was to throw out all the food in their house that wasn’t plant-based, and how they began sourcing fresh, whole foods at their local farmers markets.
Skip and his wife learned about the virtues of a whole-food, plant-based diet – The Gerson Miracle — from the PBS series entitled “The Incurables.” They also found a book called, “A Thousand Vegan Recipes” by Robin Robertson – and cooked all 1,000 of them! His inspirational story continues to influence millions of people around the world.
Which Diet Is Best?
One thing I learned on my personal journey back to health is that the diet that got me well was not the diet that kept me well. That said, when you are in the throes of a knock-down, drag-out fight against cancer, you first have to drastically change your ways – and that includes your diet. Your body desperately needs all the help it can get, and a diet free of as many toxins and commercially prepared foods as possible can be a lifesaver. Strategically chosen herbs and supplements can also be enormously beneficial.
Natural remedies for an uncomfortably enlarged prostate include:
Saw Palmetto – The berries of the saw palmetto palm were used by Native Americans as both food and medicine. These berries were commonly used to treat urinary tract problems, as well as to boost libido and increase the production of sperm (source: Mount Sinai). Today, saw palmetto is a popular natural remedy for enlargement of the prostate gland, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce the levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are credited for its role in reducing prostate enlargement (and hair loss) and may aid in the prevention of prostate cancer.
Lycopene – A study published in Medicine (Baltimore), indicated that Lycopene is an antioxidant agent with potential anticancer properties. Lycopene is the pigment that makes tomatoes and watermelon red, carrots and apricots orange, and gives certain other fruits and vegetables their deep, rich color. In fact, the deeper the color of a pink or red fruit or vegetable, the higher its lycopene content. Tomatoes which are rich in lycopene, are particularly recommended for the prevention of prostate cancer, as cited in the aforementioned study.
Green Tea – With its high levels of antioxidants and ability to fortify the body’s immune system and inhibit the growth of cancer cells, green tea is a winner for fighting all kinds of cancer, including prostate cancer. According to research published in Life Sciences, a compound in green tea known as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is the mechanism that supports the inhibition of cancer cell growth. You can learn more about the benefits of EGCG in my book, I Used to Have Cancer.
Zinc – Research published in Frontiers in Oncology found that a chronic zinc deficiency may increase the likelihood of BPH and prostate cancer in men over 50 years. Zinc is essential mineral for older adults. You’ll find it in poultry, seafood, eggs, avocados, pomegranate, blackberries, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food. Because your body doesn’t store zinc, you should eat enough every day to meet daily requirements.
Cranberries – The results of a study of 777 men diagnosed with prostate cancer (published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research Nov 2016) should have men rushing to the produce department! Researchers proved that participants those who consumed more fruits and vegetables had higher survival probability at the 15-year mark. Cranberries, in particular, are brimming with phytonutrients and extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties. Two particular proanthocyanidins from cranberries (and also grape seeds) are toxic to tumor cells. In addition, one flavonol, quercetin, has been linked with prevention of prostate cancer – and cranberries are one of the best food sources of this compound (source: An Apple or Cranberry a Day Keeps Prostate Cancer Away).
Ann Louise Gittleman has written extensively about the virtues of cranberries for a variety of issues, including weight loss, detoxification, and more. Check out her article, “Protecting the Health of the Prostate” and learn why there’s so much more you can do to protect the health of your prostate than just getting an annual blood test.
Resources:
Chen P, Zhang W, Wang X, Zhao K, Negi DS, Zhuo L, Qi M, Wang X, Zhang X. Lycopene and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015 Aug;94(33):e1260. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000001260. PMID: 26287411; PMCID: PMC4616444.
Guo Y, Zhi F, Chen P, Zhao K, Xiang H, Mao Q, Wang X, Zhang X. Green tea and the risk of prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Mar;96(13):e6426. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000006426. PMID: 28353571; PMCID: PMC5380255.
Tepedelen BE, Soya E, Korkmaz M. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces the proliferation of benign prostatic hyperplasia cells via regulation of focal adhesions. Life Sci. 2017 Dec 15;191:74-81. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.10.016. Epub 2017 Oct 12. PMID: 29032114.
Sauer AK, Vela H, Vela G, Stark P, Barrera-Juarez E, Grabrucker AM. Zinc Deficiency in Men Over 50 and Its Implications in Prostate Disorders. Front Oncol. 2020 Aug 6;10:1293. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01293. PMID: 32850402; PMCID: PMC7424038.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/the-growing-problem-of-an-enlarged-prostate-gland
See: 10 natural remedies for an enlarged prostate https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321231
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10 natural remedies for an enlarged prostate https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321231