How to keep your prostate healthy

November 3, 2005

Obviously, as vegans, it is not necessary to mention some of these.

Jo

All men have one, only half of them know where it is and none of them can

spell it. The prostate (not prostrate - which means 'lying flat') is a small

gland, about the size of a walnut, that sits under the bladder by the

urethra (the urine duct) and makes fluid that passes into the seminal duct

to help sperm swim along. It's a bit like the refuelling station in a

marathon for your sperm.

If it gets swollen it can act like a clamp, making it harder to urinate.

This is very common in men later in life. It's either caused by inflammation

of the prostate (prostates) or, more commonly, benign prostatic hyperplasia

(BPH) and affects one in three men over the age of 60. Although there is no

clear link between BPH and prostatic cancer, other than difficulty peeing,

too many men avoid going to their doctor. In both cases, the earlier you

know what's happening the better.

Prostate cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. Currently, roughly one in

ten men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, however the World Cancer

Research Fund estimates that one in four men will have a diagnosis of

prostate cancer during their lives by 2018. Prostate cancer can vary from a

relatively harmless condition to a serious illness, and its frequency

increases with age. A small amount of prostate cancer is commonly found in

older men who have died from other causes, with up to 80 per cent of 80 year

olds. According to Professor Jonathan Waxman of Imperial College, London,

little spots of cancer occur in 70 per cent of 70 year olds, 60 per cent of

60 year olds and 50 per cent of 50 year olds, but their relationship with

the development of aggressive cancer is unknown. A non-aggressive type of

prostate cancer is known as prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia or PIN.

Some doctors regard PIN as being a precursor of cancer, however not all

agree.

The most commonly used screening test for prostate health is a blood test

measuring PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This is produced by the prostate

gland. High levels of PSA may be an early indicator of prostate cancer.

However, it also gives many false positives. It is also raised in BPH so a

high level doesn't mean you have a problem. Generally, having a PSA below

2.5, if you're under 60, or 4 ng/ml if you are over 60 is consistent with

good health. Doctors also carry out a digital rectal examination, however

this is also prone to false positives.

How to keep your prostate healthy

Don't drink milk - the strongest dietary risk factor for prostate cancer is

dairy consumption. Switzerland, for example, has the highest dairy intake

and the highest numbers of deaths from prostate cancer. This is almost

certainly due to a hormone in milk called Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF).

Prostate tissue has receptors for IGF-I and IGF-II. Research shows clearly

that men with high levels of circulating IGF-I are at greater risk of

suffering from prostate cancer than those with lower levels. Research also

shows that circulating levels of IGF-I in the blood correlate with high

dairy consumption. A pint of milk a day, or the equivalent in other dairy

products, quadruples risk.

Reduce animal fats - fats from dairy products, meat, fish and eggs are the

highest sources of hormone-disrupting chemicals and high consumption of

these foods is more likely to increase risk. So, moving more towards a

vegetarian diet, using bean, lentil, nuts and seeds for protein is

consistent with keeping your prostate healthy. Fish, especially if organic

or wild, or omega-3 rich eggs are probably the best of these foods.

Increase omega-3 fats - Fish oils may be protective against prostate cancer.

A study published in the Lancet followed more than 6,000 Swedish men age 55

for up to 30 years. Its conclusion: eating fatty fish, such as salmon,

sardines, herring and mackerel, could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by

a third. The men who ate no fish had a two-fold to three-fold higher risk of

prostate cancer than those who ate moderate or high amounts. Supplementing

purified omega-3 fish oils (EPA and DHA) provides a guaranteed PCB free

source of these powerful anti-inflammatory agents. If you're suffering from

BPH or prostatitis supplement the equivalent of 1,000mg of EPA a day.

Eat more fruit and veg - The higher your consumption the lower your risk.

Particularly beneficial are tomatoes, rich in lycopene, and kale, cabbage,

broccoli, tenderstem and cauliflower. These are profoundly cancer

protective.

Take an antioxidant supplement - While individual antioxidants haven't

always come up trumps, with selenium being one of the most beneficial, a

recent trial giving over 5,000 men a combined antioxidant supplement

containing vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc daily for

eight years proved protective. However, the protective effect was far higher

in those men with a normal PSAlevel (below 3mug/l). The antioxidants did

not, however, appear to either lower PSA or IGF levels. (1)

Eat more beans, lentils, nuts and seeds - Soya produce is particularly

protective because it prevents excessive oestrogenisation. You need 15mg of

phytoestreogens a day from these foods for maximum protection. That means

eating either a small serving of tofu or tempeh, a third of a glass of soya

milk or a serving of chickpeas or other beans, plus a handful of seeds, nuts

or rye bread every day. Alternatively, you can supplement these.

Supplement Saw Palmetto - Saw palmetto has been proven to help inhibit

cancer growth and to reduce inflammation. This makes it the perfect herb for

both BPH, prostatitis and prostate cancer. Studies have shown reduction in

enlargement of the prostate will daily supplementation. It also inhibits an

enzyme, called 5-alpha reductase, which turns testosterone into DHT, which

is the form of testosterone that promotes prostate cancer.(2) Recent

research has also shown that saw palmetto inhibits the growth-promoting

effects of IGF-1 in milk, so that's an additional benefit.(3)

Personally, I think there's enough evidence now to recommend any man over 50

to supplement Saw Palmetto. Since it's the fatty acids is saw palmetto that

seem to be most biologically active choose a supplement that is standardised

to 45% fatty acids. This means it's high quality. I recommend 120mg a day

for prevention and 360mg a day if you have BHP or prostate cancer.

Supplement Pygeum - The other prostate-friendly herb that shows many similar

beneficial properties is the the African bark Pygeum. It also lessens the

harmful effect of too much IGF-I and, in studies, is profoundly

anti-cancer.(4)

November 3, 2005

And......alledgedly regular solo sex ( if you know what I mean )- although I dont understand what difference it makes if solo or not - is good for the prostate?, or so I`ve been told.............

The Valley Vegan............jo <jo.heartwork wrote:

Obviously, as vegans, it is not necessary to mention some of these.JoAll men have one, only half of them know where it is and none of them canspell it. The prostate (not prostrate - which means 'lying flat') is a smallgland, about the size of a walnut, that sits under the bladder by theurethra (the urine duct) and makes fluid that passes into the seminal ductto help sperm swim along. It's a bit like the refuelling station in amarathon for your sperm.If it gets swollen it can act like a clamp, making it harder to urinate.This is very common in men later in life. It's either caused by inflammationof the prostate (prostates) or, more commonly, benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and affects one in three men over the age of 60. Although there is noclear link between BPH and prostatic cancer, other than difficulty peeing,too many

men avoid going to their doctor. In both cases, the earlier youknow what's happening the better.Prostate cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. Currently, roughly one inten men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, however the World CancerResearch Fund estimates that one in four men will have a diagnosis ofprostate cancer during their lives by 2018. Prostate cancer can vary from arelatively harmless condition to a serious illness, and its frequencyincreases with age. A small amount of prostate cancer is commonly found inolder men who have died from other causes, with up to 80 per cent of 80 yearolds. According to Professor Jonathan Waxman of Imperial College, London,little spots of cancer occur in 70 per cent of 70 year olds, 60 per cent of60 year olds and 50 per cent of 50 year olds, but their relationship withthe development of aggressive cancer is unknown. A non-aggressive type ofprostate cancer is known as prostatic

intra-epithelial neoplasia or PIN.Some doctors regard PIN as being a precursor of cancer, however not allagree.The most commonly used screening test for prostate health is a blood testmeasuring PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This is produced by the prostategland. High levels of PSA may be an early indicator of prostate cancer.However, it also gives many false positives. It is also raised in BPH so ahigh level doesn't mean you have a problem. Generally, having a PSA below2.5, if you're under 60, or 4 ng/ml if you are over 60 is consistent withgood health. Doctors also carry out a digital rectal examination, howeverthis is also prone to false positives.How to keep your prostate healthyDon't drink milk - the strongest dietary risk factor for prostate cancer isdairy consumption. Switzerland, for example, has the highest dairy intakeand the highest numbers of deaths from prostate cancer. This is almostcertainly due

to a hormone in milk called Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF).Prostate tissue has receptors for IGF-I and IGF-II. Research shows clearlythat men with high levels of circulating IGF-I are at greater risk ofsuffering from prostate cancer than those with lower levels. Research alsoshows that circulating levels of IGF-I in the blood correlate with highdairy consumption. A pint of milk a day, or the equivalent in other dairyproducts, quadruples risk.Reduce animal fats - fats from dairy products, meat, fish and eggs are thehighest sources of hormone-disrupting chemicals and high consumption ofthese foods is more likely to increase risk. So, moving more towards avegetarian diet, using bean, lentil, nuts and seeds for protein isconsistent with keeping your prostate healthy. Fish, especially if organicor wild, or omega-3 rich eggs are probably the best of these foods.Increase omega-3 fats - Fish oils may be protective against

prostate cancer.A study published in the Lancet followed more than 6,000 Swedish men age 55for up to 30 years. Its conclusion: eating fatty fish, such as salmon,sardines, herring and mackerel, could reduce the risk of prostate cancer bya third. The men who ate no fish had a two-fold to three-fold higher risk ofprostate cancer than those who ate moderate or high amounts. Supplementingpurified omega-3 fish oils (EPA and DHA) provides a guaranteed PCB freesource of these powerful anti-inflammatory agents. If you're suffering fromBPH or prostatitis supplement the equivalent of 1,000mg of EPA a day.Eat more fruit and veg - The higher your consumption the lower your risk.Particularly beneficial are tomatoes, rich in lycopene, and kale, cabbage,broccoli, tenderstem and cauliflower. These are profoundly cancerprotective.Take an antioxidant supplement - While individual antioxidants haven'talways come up trumps, with selenium

being one of the most beneficial, arecent trial giving over 5,000 men a combined antioxidant supplementcontaining vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc daily foreight years proved protective. However, the protective effect was far higherin those men with a normal PSAlevel (below 3mug/l). The antioxidants didnot, however, appear to either lower PSA or IGF levels. (1)Eat more beans, lentils, nuts and seeds - Soya produce is particularlyprotective because it prevents excessive oestrogenisation. You need 15mg ofphytoestreogens a day from these foods for maximum protection. That meanseating either a small serving of tofu or tempeh, a third of a glass of soyamilk or a serving of chickpeas or other beans, plus a handful of seeds, nutsor rye bread every day. Alternatively, you can supplement these.Supplement Saw Palmetto - Saw palmetto has been proven to help inhibitcancer growth and to reduce inflammation. This

makes it the perfect herb forboth BPH, prostatitis and prostate cancer. Studies have shown reduction inenlargement of the prostate will daily supplementation. It also inhibits anenzyme, called 5-alpha reductase, which turns testosterone into DHT, whichis the form of testosterone that promotes prostate cancer.(2) Recentresearch has also shown that saw palmetto inhibits the growth-promotingeffects of IGF-1 in milk, so that's an additional benefit.(3)Personally, I think there's enough evidence now to recommend any man over 50to supplement Saw Palmetto. Since it's the fatty acids is saw palmetto thatseem to be most biologically active choose a supplement that is standardisedto 45% fatty acids. This means it's high quality. I recommend 120mg a dayfor prevention and 360mg a day if you have BHP or prostate cancer.Supplement Pygeum - The other prostate-friendly herb that shows many similarbeneficial properties is the the African

bark Pygeum. It also lessens theharmful effect of too much IGF-I and, in studies, is profoundlyanti-cancer.(4)

November 3, 2005

LOL - well I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be good.

Jo

-

peter hurd

Thursday, November 03, 2005 9:48 PM

Re: How to keep your prostate healthy

And......alledgedly regular solo sex ( if you know what I mean )- although I dont understand what difference it makes if solo or not - is good for the prostate?, or so I`ve been told.............

The Valley Vegan............jo <jo.heartwork wrote:

Obviously, as vegans, it is not necessary to mention some of these.JoAll men have one, only half of them know where it is and none of them canspell it. The prostate (not prostrate - which means 'lying flat') is a smallgland, about the size of a walnut, that sits under the bladder by theurethra (the urine duct) and makes fluid that passes into the seminal ductto help sperm swim along. It's a bit like the refuelling station in amarathon for your sperm.If it gets swollen it can act like a clamp, making it harder to urinate.This is very common in men later in life. It's either caused by inflammationof the prostate (prostates) or, more commonly, benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and affects one in three men over the age of 60. Although there is noclear link between BPH and prostatic cancer, other than difficulty peeing,too many men avoid going to their doctor. In both cases, the earlier youknow what's happening the better.Prostate cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. Currently, roughly one inten men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, however the World CancerResearch Fund estimates that one in four men will have a diagnosis ofprostate cancer during their lives by 2018. Prostate cancer can vary from arelatively harmless condition to a serious illness, and its frequencyincreases with age. A small amount of prostate cancer is commonly found inolder men who have died from other causes, with up to 80 per cent of 80 yearolds. According to Professor Jonathan Waxman of Imperial College, London,little spots of cancer occur in 70 per cent of 70 year olds, 60 per cent of60 year olds and 50 per cent of 50 year olds, but their relationship withthe development of aggressive cancer is unknown. A non-aggressive type ofprostate cancer is known as prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia or PIN.Some doctors regard PIN as being a precursor of cancer, however not allagree.The most commonly used screening test for prostate health is a blood testmeasuring PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This is produced by the prostategland. High levels of PSA may be an early indicator of prostate cancer.However, it also gives many false positives. It is also raised in BPH so ahigh level doesn't mean you have a problem. Generally, having a PSA below2.5, if you're under 60, or 4 ng/ml if you are over 60 is consistent withgood health. Doctors also carry out a digital rectal examination, howeverthis is also prone to false positives.How to keep your prostate healthyDon't drink milk - the strongest dietary risk factor for prostate cancer isdairy consumption. Switzerland, for example, has the highest dairy intakeand the highest numbers of deaths from prostate cancer. This is almostcertainly due to a hormone in milk called Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF).Prostate tissue has receptors for IGF-I and IGF-II. Research shows clearlythat men with high levels of circulating IGF-I are at greater risk ofsuffering from prostate cancer than those with lower levels. Research alsoshows that circulating levels of IGF-I in the blood correlate with highdairy consumption. A pint of milk a day, or the equivalent in other dairyproducts, quadruples risk.Reduce animal fats - fats from dairy products, meat, fish and eggs are thehighest sources of hormone-disrupting chemicals and high consumption ofthese foods is more likely to increase risk. So, moving more towards avegetarian diet, using bean, lentil, nuts and seeds for protein isconsistent with keeping your prostate healthy. Fish, especially if organicor wild, or omega-3 rich eggs are probably the best of these foods.Increase omega-3 fats - Fish oils may be protective against prostate cancer.A study published in the Lancet followed more than 6,000 Swedish men age 55for up to 30 years. Its conclusion: eating fatty fish, such as salmon,sardines, herring and mackerel, could reduce the risk of prostate cancer bya third. The men who ate no fish had a two-fold to three-fold higher risk ofprostate cancer than those who ate moderate or high amounts. Supplementingpurified omega-3 fish oils (EPA and DHA) provides a guaranteed PCB freesource of these powerful anti-inflammatory agents. If you're suffering fromBPH or prostatitis supplement the equivalent of 1,000mg of EPA a day.Eat more fruit and veg - The higher your consumption the lower your risk.Particularly beneficial are tomatoes, rich in lycopene, and kale, cabbage,broccoli, tenderstem and cauliflower. These are profoundly cancerprotective.Take an antioxidant supplement - While individual antioxidants haven'talways come up trumps, with selenium being one of the most beneficial, arecent trial giving over 5,000 men a combined antioxidant supplementcontaining vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc daily foreight years proved protective. However, the protective effect was far higherin those men with a normal PSAlevel (below 3mug/l). The antioxidants didnot, however, appear to either lower PSA or IGF levels. (1)Eat more beans, lentils, nuts and seeds - Soya produce is particularlyprotective because it prevents excessive oestrogenisation. You need 15mg ofphytoestreogens a day from these foods for maximum protection. That meanseating either a small serving of tofu or tempeh, a third of a glass of soyamilk or a serving of chickpeas or other beans, plus a handful of seeds, nutsor rye bread every day. Alternatively, you can supplement these.Supplement Saw Palmetto - Saw palmetto has been proven to help inhibitcancer growth and to reduce inflammation. This makes it the perfect herb forboth BPH, prostatitis and prostate cancer. Studies have shown reduction inenlargement of the prostate will daily supplementation. It also inhibits anenzyme, called 5-alpha reductase, which turns testosterone into DHT, whichis the form of testosterone that promotes prostate cancer.(2) Recentresearch has also shown that saw palmetto inhibits the growth-promotingeffects of IGF-1 in milk, so that's an additional benefit.(3)Personally, I think there's enough evidence now to recommend any man over 50to supplement Saw Palmetto. Since it's the fatty acids is saw palmetto thatseem to be most biologically active choose a supplement that is standardisedto 45% fatty acids. This means it's high quality. I recommend 120mg a dayfor prevention and 360mg a day if you have BHP or prostate cancer.Supplement Pygeum - The other prostate-friendly herb that shows many similarbeneficial properties is the the African bark Pygeum. It also lessens theharmful effect of too much IGF-I and, in studies, is profoundlyanti-cancer.(4)