Dietary supplements and prostate cancer
Hi All~!
We have
recently published a systematic review of double-blind placebo controlled
trials of dietary supplements for prostate
cancer. Having searched five electronic databases, eight trials met our eligibility criteria and all of them were of high
methodological quality. Of those 5 reported no significant effects
compared with placebo. Only two manufacturer sponsored trials with a small
number of prostate cancer patients reported that a cocktail of vitamins,
minerals and other plant derived substances significantly decreased prostate
specific antigen levels (markers of cancer progression/regression) compared
with placebo; and one trial did not report between-group differences in prostate
specific antigen levels.
Following the publication I had an interview
with the Reuters
in which I said that “by no means is the
evidence [for the effectiveness of dietary supplements in prostate cancer]
conclusive. I was also asked whether any of these supplement
combinations could help? Well, I replied that these supplement combinations are rather useless in the treatment of
prostate cancer. I was also asked what sort of recommendations I would offer
for such patients? My
only recommendation for prostate cancer patients would be a healthy lifestyle
and balanced diet. This includes reduced caloric
intake, diet low in animal fats, animal proteins (including dairy), and rich in
fruits and vegetables. Other 'natural substances' might include green tea,
pomegranate seed, turmeric or capsaicin.
The main
message from our review would be that no miraculous supplement for PC exists
and no supplement can replace a balanced diet. I personally doubt that these
results would affect sales of supplements. Market or the internet is full of
bogus claims and I would not be surprised if companies were marketing these
supplements as effective for PC and generating large profits as a result.
Surely one
must consider that supraphysiological doses of vitamins or minerals can be
toxic/hazardous. In fact several studies have shown that supplementation with folic acid, calcium, vitamin E or multivitamins
actually increases the risk of prostate cancer in smokers. We also discussed
that in a survey,
79%
of physicians and 82% of nurses had reported recommending dietary supplements to their patients. This is quite striking finding
bearing in mind lack of benefit of supplements and their potential to harm.
The average
person should also refrain from alcohol, tobacco or excessive stresses,
maintain a healthy body weight, think positively and exercise regularly. As a
physio I was also taught that weak or imbalanced pelvic floor muscles might be
the contributing factor to the imbalances of prostate. If that is true (I do
not have any evidence in mind to support these claims) one could also prevent PC
by exercising regularly.
Thanks for reading this post. : )
Komentarze (1):
Interesting! My alternative treatments for prostate cancer center likes articles like this. Keep sharing!
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