Antioxidant levels key to prostate cancer risk in some men
Greater levels of selenium, vitamin E and the tomato carotenoid lycopene have been shown to reduce prostate cancer in one out of every four Caucasian males, or those who inherit a specific genetic variation that is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress, say US researchers.
Conversely, if carriers of this genetic variant have low levels of these vitamins and minerals, their risk of aggressive prostate increases substantially, as great as 10-fold, over those who maintain higher levels of these nutrients, they write in today’s issue of Cancer Research.
"This large prospective study provides further evidence that oxidative stress may be one of the important mechanisms for prostate cancer development and progression, and adequate intake of antioxidants, such as selenium, lycopene and vitamin E, may help prevent prostate cancer," said Dr Haojie Li, a researcher at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
The new findings are based on an analysis of 567 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1982 and 1995, and 764 cancer-free men from the Physicians Health Study.
The initial goal of this study was to assess the effect of aspirin and beta-carotene on men's health. Li’s team decided to check for variants of the gene that codes for manganese superoxide dismutatase (MnSOD), an important enzyme that works as an antioxidant in human cells to defend against disease.
The MnSOD gene is passed from parents to offspring in one of three forms: VV, VA or AA.
"Compared with men with the MnSOD VV or VA genotype, people with the AA genotype seem to be more sensitive to the antioxidant status," said Li. "Men with the AA genotype are more susceptible to prostate cancer if their antioxidant levels are low."
The study's results found that a quarter of the men in the study carried the MnSOD AA genotype, half carried the VA genotype, and the remaining quarter carried the VV genotype.
The results indicated that the VA and VV men were at equivalent risk for developing prostate cancer across all levels of antioxidants in their blood.
But compared to MnSOD VV or VA carriers in the lowest quartile of selenium levels, MnSOD AA males had an 89 per cent greater risk for developing aggressive prostate cancer if they had low blood levels of the mineral.
On the other hand, MnSOD AA carriers with high selenium – those men in the highest quartile – had a 65 per cent lower risk than the MnSOD VV or VA males who maintained low levels of selenium.
"The levels of selenium in the highest quartile of these men are not abnormally high," Li said. "Our range is neither extremely high nor extremely low."
While similar trends were observed for lycopene and vitamin E when tested independently, the contrast in relative risk was most pronounced for the men who had high blood levels for all three antioxidants combined, said the researchers.
"Among men with the MnSOD AA genotype, we observed a 10-fold difference in risk for aggressive prostate cancer, when comparing men with high versus low levels of antioxidants combined,"said Li. "In contrast, among men with the VV or VA genotype, the prostate cancer risk was only weakly altered by these antioxidant levels."
"Our study, as well as many other epidemiological studies, encourages dietary intake of nutrients such as lycopene from tomato products, or supplements for vitamin E and selenium to reduce risk of prostate cancer," said Li.
Prostate cancer is one of the biggest cancer killers in industrial countries and affects more than 500,000 men worldwide every year. This number is expected to increase with the ageing population.
Similar interactions between dietary antioxidants and the variations in the MnSOD gene have previously been linked to risk for breast cancer.
For more information visit: http://mhlnk.com/F40C9111?cid=01
Fiber Lowers Prostate Cancer
Fiber Lowers Prostate Cancer
MILAN, Italy--New research published in the March 20 edition of the International Journal of Cancer (109, 2:278-280, 2004) (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/106586506/ABSTRACT) shows vegetable fiber may lower the incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers noted this is the first study to look into fiber’s role in prostate cancer.In an 11-year multicenter case-control study, researchers investigated 1,294 men with incident, histologically confirmed prostate cancer and 1,451 controls with acute nonmalignant conditions. They found the risk for prostate cancer was inversely related with soluble fiber, cellulose and vegetable fiber, with vegetable fiber seen as the most protective--men who consumed the highest amount of vegetables were 18-percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount of vegetables. These relationships were consistent across all ages, family histories of prostate cancer, body mass indexes and education.
According to a Reuter’s write-up, study researchers reported that because vegetables were seen to provide the most benefits of all the fibers investigated, it may be possible that some of their other nutrients could be the reason behind their prostate benefits.
These abstracts provided courtesy of Natural Products Industry Insider, published by Virgo Publishing Inc.
While four out of five older adults have a chronic health condition and many experience limitations in activities as a result, substantial and growing evidence indicates much can be done to delay progression and lessen risk factors.
For instance, the most common joint disease in humans, osteoarthritis is a universal affliction: virtually everyone who lives past age 75 has it to some degree.
In osteoarthritis the production of glucosamine, which is vitally important in maintaining healthy, flexible joints, takes a downturn. Fortunately it can be replaced by glucosamine supplements. More than 20 years of research in humans, including controlled trials and reports from physicians, indicates that glucosamine effectively decreases joint pain and improves joint mobility.
Glucosamine has another related benefit in addition to supporting health of joints and tissues. It also functions as an anti-inflammatory. Studies of glucosamine’s anti-inflammatory properties suggest that it may treat two common types of arthritis, gonarthritis and osteoarthritis
Calcium has received much attention for its role in supporting bone health, particularly in postmenopausal women. Although research suggests that calcium can slow, but not completely stop, the progression of osteoporosis, its importance for maintaining strong, healthy bones and slowing bone loss cannot be overstated. Studies have suggested that during perimenopause calcium absorption decreases and thus calcium supplements are a prudent dietary measure during menopause.
Calcium is also necessary for a wide array of other functions, such as initiating muscle contractions. For this reason it plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy heartbeat. On the cellular level, calcium regulates the passage of nutrients and wastes through cell membranes. It also regulates the transmission of nerve impulses.
To learn more about these dietary supplements and others, including research citations, information on basic use, dosage, and contraindications, written in layman’s terms, visit the DSIB Web site at www.supplementinfo.org. Finding the information is as easy as clicking on the name of a supplement or condition.
For more information visit: http://mhlnk.com/F40C9111?cid=01
MILAN, Italy--New research published in the March 20 edition of the International Journal of Cancer (109, 2:278-280, 2004) (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/106586506/ABSTRACT) shows vegetable fiber may lower the incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers noted this is the first study to look into fiber’s role in prostate cancer.In an 11-year multicenter case-control study, researchers investigated 1,294 men with incident, histologically confirmed prostate cancer and 1,451 controls with acute nonmalignant conditions. They found the risk for prostate cancer was inversely related with soluble fiber, cellulose and vegetable fiber, with vegetable fiber seen as the most protective--men who consumed the highest amount of vegetables were 18-percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount of vegetables. These relationships were consistent across all ages, family histories of prostate cancer, body mass indexes and education.
According to a Reuter’s write-up, study researchers reported that because vegetables were seen to provide the most benefits of all the fibers investigated, it may be possible that some of their other nutrients could be the reason behind their prostate benefits.
These abstracts provided courtesy of Natural Products Industry Insider, published by Virgo Publishing Inc.
While four out of five older adults have a chronic health condition and many experience limitations in activities as a result, substantial and growing evidence indicates much can be done to delay progression and lessen risk factors.
For instance, the most common joint disease in humans, osteoarthritis is a universal affliction: virtually everyone who lives past age 75 has it to some degree.
In osteoarthritis the production of glucosamine, which is vitally important in maintaining healthy, flexible joints, takes a downturn. Fortunately it can be replaced by glucosamine supplements. More than 20 years of research in humans, including controlled trials and reports from physicians, indicates that glucosamine effectively decreases joint pain and improves joint mobility.
Glucosamine has another related benefit in addition to supporting health of joints and tissues. It also functions as an anti-inflammatory. Studies of glucosamine’s anti-inflammatory properties suggest that it may treat two common types of arthritis, gonarthritis and osteoarthritis
Calcium has received much attention for its role in supporting bone health, particularly in postmenopausal women. Although research suggests that calcium can slow, but not completely stop, the progression of osteoporosis, its importance for maintaining strong, healthy bones and slowing bone loss cannot be overstated. Studies have suggested that during perimenopause calcium absorption decreases and thus calcium supplements are a prudent dietary measure during menopause.
Calcium is also necessary for a wide array of other functions, such as initiating muscle contractions. For this reason it plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy heartbeat. On the cellular level, calcium regulates the passage of nutrients and wastes through cell membranes. It also regulates the transmission of nerve impulses.
To learn more about these dietary supplements and others, including research citations, information on basic use, dosage, and contraindications, written in layman’s terms, visit the DSIB Web site at www.supplementinfo.org. Finding the information is as easy as clicking on the name of a supplement or condition.
For more information visit: http://mhlnk.com/F40C9111?cid=01
Plant Based Diet Prevents Prostate Cancer
Plant Based Diet Prevents Prostate Cancer
Dietary changes should be on the prescription pads of doctors treating men with prostate cancer. New research shows that eating more whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and legumes while eating less meat, dairy, and refined carbohydrates could slow the progression of the deadly disease.
“Studies have associated the Western diet not only with prostate cancer incidence but also with a greater risk of disease progression after treatment,” said Gordon A. Saxe, MD, PhD, lead author of the study and assistant professor of Family and Preventive Medicine at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego. “Conversely, many elements of plant-based diets have been associated with reduced risk of progression.”
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a marker for prostate cancer recurrence and often the earliest sign of spread of the disease beyond the prostate gland, even in people with no symptoms. Saxe and colleagues conducted a six-month preliminary study to investigate whether a plant-based diet, reinforced with stress-management training, could prevent or lessen a rise in PSA among ten men with recurrent prostate cancer.
The men and their spouses or other support person participated in intensive group and individual diet and stress-reduction trainings. The men were taught to shift their diet to more whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and legumes and to eat less meat, dairy, and refined carbohydrates (such as white rice, white flour, and sugar). The people took cooking classes, participated in group discussions and meals, and were counseled regarding calorie intake (1,600 calories per day) and portion sizes.
Compared with the rate of PSA rise in the prestudy period, there was a significant reduction on the rate of rise throughout the intervention period. Nine of the ten men had a slower progression of PSA levels. Four of the ten men had a lower PSA level than when they started the diet. The time it took the men’s PSA levels to double increased nearly tenfold over six months, suggesting a strong protective effect.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men in the Western world after skin cancer. About 35% of men who are treated for the disease will experience a recurrence within ten years. These men are at higher risk for life-threatening metastases. Prevention of such recurrences is, therefore, an essential element of therapy. Unfortunately, the conventional treatments to prevent recurrence, such as hormone therapy, cause many undesirable side effects, such as hot flashes, loss of libido, and loss of bone mass.
“These findings have significant therapeutic potential for recurrent prostate cancer,” concluded Dr. Saxe. “A natural dietary- and lifestyle-based approach may serve as an adjunct or alternative to hormonal therapy.”
For more information visit: http://mhlnk.com/F40C9111?cid=01
Dietary changes should be on the prescription pads of doctors treating men with prostate cancer. New research shows that eating more whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and legumes while eating less meat, dairy, and refined carbohydrates could slow the progression of the deadly disease.
“Studies have associated the Western diet not only with prostate cancer incidence but also with a greater risk of disease progression after treatment,” said Gordon A. Saxe, MD, PhD, lead author of the study and assistant professor of Family and Preventive Medicine at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego. “Conversely, many elements of plant-based diets have been associated with reduced risk of progression.”
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a marker for prostate cancer recurrence and often the earliest sign of spread of the disease beyond the prostate gland, even in people with no symptoms. Saxe and colleagues conducted a six-month preliminary study to investigate whether a plant-based diet, reinforced with stress-management training, could prevent or lessen a rise in PSA among ten men with recurrent prostate cancer.
The men and their spouses or other support person participated in intensive group and individual diet and stress-reduction trainings. The men were taught to shift their diet to more whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and legumes and to eat less meat, dairy, and refined carbohydrates (such as white rice, white flour, and sugar). The people took cooking classes, participated in group discussions and meals, and were counseled regarding calorie intake (1,600 calories per day) and portion sizes.
Compared with the rate of PSA rise in the prestudy period, there was a significant reduction on the rate of rise throughout the intervention period. Nine of the ten men had a slower progression of PSA levels. Four of the ten men had a lower PSA level than when they started the diet. The time it took the men’s PSA levels to double increased nearly tenfold over six months, suggesting a strong protective effect.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men in the Western world after skin cancer. About 35% of men who are treated for the disease will experience a recurrence within ten years. These men are at higher risk for life-threatening metastases. Prevention of such recurrences is, therefore, an essential element of therapy. Unfortunately, the conventional treatments to prevent recurrence, such as hormone therapy, cause many undesirable side effects, such as hot flashes, loss of libido, and loss of bone mass.
“These findings have significant therapeutic potential for recurrent prostate cancer,” concluded Dr. Saxe. “A natural dietary- and lifestyle-based approach may serve as an adjunct or alternative to hormonal therapy.”
For more information visit: http://mhlnk.com/F40C9111?cid=01
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