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The commonly suggested prostate health nutrients are selenium, calcium D-glucarate, green tea, broccoli, grape seed, maitake mushroom,lycopene, fish oil, garlic, vitamin D, pomegranate juice, red clover, Quercetin and Zyflamend (but see red wine above!).
Selenium is an essential trace mineral found in the soil. Both plant foods like oatmeal, and meats like chicken and beef, contain selenium. A major antioxidant, selenium has a myriad claims made for it such as it slows down aging, keeps our blood vessels healthy, protects us from heart disease, keeps skin supple and helps prevent dandruff. One study showed that selenium cut the rate of prostate cancer by 63% and its effects have been the subject of research since.
There is strong evidence that a combination of vitamin E and selenium is highly effective in preventing prostate cancer. The daily dosage used in an ongoing clinical trial is 400 IU of vitamin E and 200 micrograms of selenium.
Calcium D-glucarate (CDG) is a natural substance found in fruits and vegetables that reduces the activity of glucuronidase, a chemical found in out bodies whose increased activity is strongly associated with prostate cancer. Studies have shown that by taking CDG the body can get rid of the toxic chemicals and excess hormones that might stimulate cancer formation.
The American Association for Cancer Research found that the polyphenols present in green tea help prevent the spread of prostate cancer by targeting molecular pathways that shut down the proliferation and spread of tumour cells, as well as inhibiting the growth of tumour nurturing blood vessels. A common component of green tea, epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, has been found to stop the growth of prostate cancer.
OK, there had to be a counterweight to the red wine: men who eat lots of broccoli have a lower risk of getting prostate cancer. Sulforaphane, a compound in broccoli, increases certain enzymes in the body called phase 2 enzymes that deactivate cancer-causing chemicals. Lab experiments that exposed prostate cancer cells to sulforaphane found that it inhibited the growth of the cancer cells by up to 80 percent.
"Findings suggest that Grape seed extract possesses in vivo anti-cancer efficacy against hormone-refractory human PCA, which is associated with its antiproliferative, proapoptotic and antiangiogenic activities". In other words, if you take it, it helps your body fight cancer.
No surprises here, maitake mushrooms have been well-regarded as beneficial to health for centuries. However, the relevance here is that a study at New York Medical College showed that maitake D-fraction destroyed 95% of human prostate cancer cells in lab experiments.
Next page: More supplements that may reduce the risk of or treat prostate cancer