by Royce Bailey M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.C.

BPH/Prostate Cancer Causes

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) or enlarged prostate gland affects more than 60% of men ages 50 to 60. When sleep is disrupted from frequent trips to the bathroom at night with little to show for it, it is time to seek treatment for your BPH. This is because of progressive prostate enlargement obstructing the outflow of urine from your bladder. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), that binds to the prostate tissue and causes it to abnormally enlarge. Remember, symptoms of BPH are similar to early cancer of the prostate symptoms.

1. Obesity increases prostate cancer risk 2.5 times above normal. Men who have had prostate surgery who were obese at ages 25 to 40 or gained a lot of weight between the ages of 25 and the diagnosis of cancer were twice as likely to have a five year recurrence then non obese men. -Clinical Cancer Research, October 2005.

2. Heavy smoking doubles the risk of aggressive prostate cancer compared to those that never smoked. Said another way; men under age 65 with a cigarette smoking history of 40 or more pack/years face a 100 % increase risk of getting a lethal form of cancer. -Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Aug 3, 2003

3. Breast and prostate cancers are linked to consumption of dairy products. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) is found in cow’s milk and is increased in the blood of individuals consuming dairy products on a regular basis. Cow’s IGF-1 and human’s IGF-1 is identical, so your body just--plug and play. Other nutrients that increase IGF-1 are found in cow’s milk, also. Men with the highest levels of IGF-1 had four times the risk of prostate cancer compared with those with the lowest levels. -Science 1998;279:563-5

Navaho Indians Had No Cancer Except...

There was only one person to get prostate cancer among the 5,000 Navaho Indians between 1950 and 1985 in San Juan County, Utah. This Navaho was the only Indian to raise chickens and eat eggs. (Navaho’s have a taboo about birds–a fearful reverence). Chickens have an extremely high cancer incidence. The ‘carcinogen’ in chickens is avian leukosis virus, a close relative of HIV (AIDS). It was discovered in 1911 by Rous and is passed in eggs. Be warned about eating raw or easy over eggs for it may cause prostate cancer. -Internal Medicine News, Feb 15, 1992.

Adventist Health Study 1980

6763 white male Seventh-day Adventists were studied between 1960 and 1980. The dead ones showed us that overweight men had a significantly higher risk of fatal prostate cancer (2.5 times more) then men near their desirable weight. Dietary associations were seen in fatal prostate cancer in the consumption of milk (ice cream), cheese, eggs and meat. There was an orderly dose-response between each of the four animal products and the risk. The risk of fatal prostate cancer was 3.6 times higher for those that heavily consumed all four animal products. Thus, the Adventist Health Study suggests that consumption of animal products and obesity are risk factors for fatal prostate cancer. -Am J Epi 1984;120:244-250.

Physician Health Study 2001

20,885 men in the Physician’s Health Study over 11 years found 1,012 cases of prostate cancer. Those with the highest dairy product and calcium intake had a 30% increased risk of prostate cancer. Each additional 500 mg of calcium from diary products taken each day increased the risk of prostate cancer by 16% (P=0.03). The higher the dairy calcium intake the lower the vitamin D levels [1,25(OH)₂D₃] in the blood. Vitamin D hormone protects against prostate cancer. As I’ve said before, milk should not be a source for your calcium. It doesn’t help your bones and increases your risk for glandular (adenocarcinoma) cancer (breast, colon and prostate). -Am J Clin Nutr 2001;74:549-554.

What Should We Do?

“Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs. Milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth.

God will give His people ability and tact to prepare wholesome food without these recipes. Let the people discard all unwholesome recipes. Let them learn how to live healthfully, teaching to others what they have learned. Let them impart this knowledge as they would Bible instruction. Let them teach the people to preserve the health and increase the strength by avoiding the large amount of cooking that has filled the world with chronic invalids. By precept and example make it plain that the food which God gave Adam in his sinless state is the best for man’s use as he seeks to regain that sinless state.” How did she know that? Testimonies to the Church, vol.7; 1902:132-137 and Counsels on Health: 478-479.

Treatments For BPH:

PROSTATECTOMY

Prostatectomy or removal of prostate tissue (the reem job) is very effective in releiving most of the symptoms of BPH. 33% of all males in the US have undergone surgical removal of their prostate gland by the time they are 85 years old.

SAW PALMETTO

Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) is an extract from the berry of a small palm tree (South Carolina state tree, the tree is even on their flag). Saw Palmetto prevents the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by blocking an enzyme and by inhibiting DHT binding to hormone receptors on the prostate cells. Take 162 mg twice a day of a standardized saw palmetto extract of 85% fatty acids and sterols (the active ingredients). 18 studies with 3000 men found saw palmetto just as effective as prescription meds in reducing BPH symptoms.

-Benefits Of Saw Palmetto Reviewed, JAMA, 1999.

PYGEUM

Pygeum africanum is a large evergreen tree native to central and southern Africa. Pygeum inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 100mg a day of standardized extract (containing 14% terpenes and sterols and 0.5% ferulic acids) can reduce the symptoms of urgency and painful urination caused by an enlarged prostate (BPH) by 46%. Works better when combined with 320mg/day of saw palmetto. It can take up to six weeks to see results as opposed to prescription BPH meds (cardura/doxazosin, hytrin or uroxatral/quinazoline, flomax/tamsulosin). In large doses pygeum can cause intestinal irritation such as nausea and stomach pain.

-Urology, Sept 1999.

ZINC

Zinc deficiency has been linked not only to prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) but also to BPH. A hand full of pumpkin seeds (1/4 cup-126 calories) supplies 20% of your daily zinc requirement. Taking too much zinc (more than 100mg a day) increases the risk of advanced prostate cancer.

-J Natl Cancer Inst, July 2003.

ISOFLAVONES: MORE SOY AND BEANS

Countries that eat more soy and other legumes (red, green, black and other beans) have prostate cancers occur later in life and grow more slowly. Isoflavones (genostein, diadzein, biochanin A and formononetin) found in many beans are weakly estrogenic. Isoflavones can block estrogen like compounds in our environment in the forms of plastics, pesticides and other synthetic compounds. Genistein, best known from soy, but found in most beans, reduced the proliferation of prostate tumors. Biochanin A inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells. Sources of isoflavones should come from the natural source and not from a pill. The recommendation is 45mg a day of isoflavones in a variety of foods.

-“Isoflavones And The Prevention And Treatment Of Prostate Disease: Is There A Role?” Cleveland Clin J Med, March 2003;70:203-216.

VITAMIN E

Multiple studies have not found a benefit in taking vitamin E, in cancer or cardiovascular health. Full vitamin E (tocotrienols and tocopherols-all eight parts) caused cancer cell growth and the ability to form new cells to decrease by 50%. Get your vitamin E in seeds. A hand full of sunflower or pumpkin seeds/day is a good natural source of vitamin E. Another good source is in peanuts.

LYCOPENE

Bright red carotenoid phytochemical, lycopene, found in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit, may prevent macular degeneration, sun damage to the skin, cancer and even osteoporosis. Lycopene is ten times more effective than vitamin E, in the pill form, at preventing malignant cell transformations of the prostate, cervix and GI tract. Absorption of lycopene is better in cooked tomatoes, than in fresh and still better when you add a little olive oil to your tomato sauce. Dietary protection of cancer and cardiovascular health is found in 3 mg of lycopene (100 gm of fresh or cooked tomatoes/about 1/5 of a pound). Watermelon has more lycopene than tomatoes (½ cup of cubed watermelon). 20mg of lycopene, for treatment of BPH, a day is recommended. Eating 3/4 cup of tomato sauce a day (30 mg lycopene) can cut your risk of exercise induce asthma in half.

-Letsliveonline.com, June 2004:28.

-Men’s Health, May 2001:34.

SELENIUM

Men with the greatest selenium (Se) intake, from natural sources, had about a 66% lower risk of developing advanced prostate cancer over the next decade than those that had a lower intake amount 33,000 men. This is because selenium is known to interfere with binding of the toxic trace mineral cadmium(Cd). Cadmium stimulates the growth of prostate epithelial cells and their malignant transformations. Cadmium is found in many foods, in drinking water, and in the environment. Your Se/Cd ratio may predict your chance of prostate cancer in the future. Selenium is found in seeds and nutritional (brewer’s) yeast. Recommended 200mcg of selenium a day.

-Natl Cancer Inst, 1998; 90(16):1219-24

-Biological Trace Elements Research, Feb 2005;103,2:103-108.

OMEGA-3

Flaxseed, a source of omega-3 fatty acids (alpha linolenic acid-ALA) and lignan, has been shown to inhibit melanoma, breast cancer and prostate cancer growth. Two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed a day decreased free testosterone and cholesterol levels, by day 21-43. Low grade prostate disease had a decreased cell proliferation in the flaxseed groups, but a recent study of 47,000 men showed that flaxseed oil may worsen advanced prostate cancer. The reason was high levels of ALA did not convert to the beneficial EPA/DHA omega-3. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are part of the omega-3 family and found in cold water fish. The enzyme delta six desaturase converts ALA to EPA/DHA, but delta six desaturase is severely inhibited by elevated insulin levels. Thus, anyone: with diabetes type 2, that is over weight, having high cholesterol or high blood pressure can have elevated insulin levels and should not take flax seed oil for their prostate!

-Am J Clin Nutr, July 2004;80(1):204-216.

BUCHU LEAF

Barosma betulina has a pungent aroma, due to its highly volatile oils. Buchu’s actions are mostly anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antiseptic. It is effective in the treatment of painful urination, kidney/bladder inflammations and infections and “irritable bladder.” Buchu is very soothing to the pelvic nerves. Take 100mg to 300mg a day.

COUCH GRASS ROOT

Agropyron repens helps reduce uncontrollable urination, pain and burning. Couch grass in loaded with carotene, potassium and vitamin C. Take 100mg to 300mg a day or as a tea. Avoid couch grass if you have blood in your urine. Use Horsetail or South African Star Grass extract instead.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

Take phytosterols (plant sterols) to reduce urinary symptoms associated with BPH. Found in all plants, but is in the highest amounts in seeds, beans and grains. Recommended 20mg a day.

STATINS

Cholesterol reducing statin drugs lowered the risk of prostate cancer by 62%.

-Am J Epidemiol 2005;162:318-325.

INDIAN FRANKINCENSE

Boswellia serrata is a gum resin of a tree native to India. It inhibits prostate cancer by blocking the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 and 5-HETE. It also down regulates tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) to normal. Recommended 400mg of standardized boswellia extract (containing 60% boswellic acid) three times a day.

GARLIC

Both fresh and garlic supplements prevent prostate cancer by interfering with the initiation and promotion phases and by blocking arachidonic acid metabolism. The quality of garlic varies so choose a standardized extract or the real thing. Two fresh cloves a day for cancer patients.

STINGING NETTLES

Urtica dioica is used a first line in the treatment of BPH in Germany. There are over fifty compounds in stinging nettle. Stinging nettles works by blocking the effect of estrogen and free androgen, thus lowering the serum estrogen levels, reducing inflammation. Recommended 600-1,200mg of a 5:1 extract or 120mg twice a day of a 10:1 extract (standardized amino acid content). Some people are allergic to stinging nettle and it can cause stomach upset.

TURMERIC (Curcumin)

Curcuma longa is the major ingredient of curry powder. Turmeric inhibits prostate cancer by blocking the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 and 5-HETE, by inducing cell death and regulating the tumor suppressor gene p53. Recommended 400-600mg three times a day. Works great for arthritis too. This is a spice and can cause stomach upset.

-“Therapeutic Potential Of Curcumin In Human Prostate Cancer. II Curcumin Inhibits Tyrosine Kinase Activity Of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Depletes The Protein,” Mol Urol, Spring 2000;4(1):1-6.