Natural Approaches For Prostate Cancer Support By Belle Mccaleb, Consultant

By Author: Copa Reena
Total Articles: 87
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Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) leads to enlargement of the prostate and higher levels are associated with prostate cancer. But we also know that prostate cancer is influenced by estrogen. As men age there is an increase in estrogen relative to DHT. In response to the rising estrogens, the prostate upregulates the androgen receptor to increase its sensitivity to androgens. In animal studies it has been shown that estrogens, only in the presence of androgens, induce benign prostatic hypertrophy and stimulate prostate cancer. Estrogens are known to increase the local production of growth factors that encourage cellular proliferation. (Steiner M, Raghow S 2002, World J Urol, 21;31-36.)
Natural approaches are available to help manage levels of both DHT and estrogen levels. Saw Palmetto has a long standing history of use in prostate conditions including prostate cancer. It works by inhibiting the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT (5 alpha reductase).
In addition to blocking the production of DHT it is useful to minimize the level of estrogens in the body. One way is ...
... to consume natural aromatase inhibitors that prevent the conversion of androgens to estrogens in fat cells. These include lignans, soluble fibres found in seeds, whole grains, fruit. Lignans also block the conversion of testosterone to DHT, increase apoptosis (cancer cell death), down-regulate hormone receptors, inhibit angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and inhibit both androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer cell lines (Katz AE, 2007 Integrative Medicine, 6(3)). Flaxseed meal (not oil) has a high concentration of lignans.
Other naturally occurring aromatase inhibitors include resveratrol (found in red grapes, and the herb Polygonum cuspidatum); chrysin found in the herb Passiflora incarnata; apigenin found in the herbs Chamomile and the isoflavones genistein and diadzein found in soy. There are cautions regarding soy as a 2007 in vitro study (Miekus K et al, Genistein inhibts the contact stimulated migration of prostate cancer cells, Cellular and Mol Biol Letters, 12(3):348-61.) found at high concentrations genistein inhibited prostate cancer but at lower (more physiologic levels) it increased cancer cell growth.
Several other herbs and nutrients have been found to have anti-prostate cancer effects as summarized below:
St Mary's Thistle upregulates the protein that binds insulin like growth factors and inhibits androgen independent prostate cancer cells. (Zi X et al (2000). Cancer Research, 60(20);5617-5620.)
Green Tea (EGCG) Suppresses cell growth and induces cell death in human prostate cancer cells (Gupta S et al (2003), Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 410(1):177-8).
Curcumin is a potent inducer of apoptosis in both androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer cells (Dorai T et al (2000), Molecular Urology, 4(1):1-6.)
Grape seed extract inhibits growth & metastasis in both androgen-sensitive and - insensitive prostate cancer (Singh RP et al (2004) Int J Cancer. Feb 20; 108(5):733-41).