by Harry Chrissakis Herbalist M.H. Natural Healing
HERBALIST AND HERBS
It seems natural this would follow the BREAST HEALTH OUTLINE blog.herbalist-herbs.com/ and oddly enough that a number of the supplements mentioned in that outline also apply to prostate cancer. If you refer to the article PROSTATE CANCER AND THREE DRIVERS blog.herbalist-herbs.com/2012/07/08/prostate-cancer-and-three-drivers.aspx it becomes clear why this is true.
PSA
PSA values have been questioned as to being useful or not. It is my opinion that they have importance in a number of areas. Grafted year against year they can tell us if we are getting in trouble when there is a jump in numbers even if it is still in the normal range. It is also a good test for those who are already diagnosed and need to be monitored. PSA is not definitive of cancer. A biopsy of the prostate is. There are a number of values in a frontline blood test (CBC, Lipid Panel, Metabolic ) that can also indicate that something is moving in the wrong direction and there are also some new tests that are proving to be of real value. PCA3, which is a urine test, and the Prostascint , are both used to help develop a clearer prostate profile, short of biopsy.
TESTOSTERONE AND DHT.
Grossly misunderstood area and insufficiently tested. Testosterone is converted to DHT via the 5 alfa reductase pathways. This is normal and necessary. The problem is too much is being converted too fast and DHT has 5 times the proliferative capacity of testosterone. This in turn becomes a driver of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) and prostate cancer. The other area of misunderstanding is what appears to be a need to reduce testosterone. Men need testosterone and often it is too low in prostate cancer patients. It is possible to both raise testosterone levels and reduce DHT.
Saw Palmetto
This herb normalizes the enzyme 5 alpha reductase and as a result lowers DHT production. Saw Palmetto historically was used as a restorative agent post flu or long term lung weakness. It is also a good fertility agent and anti inflammatory. Nettle root and Pygeum are often combined with Saw Palmetto. There is a lot of poor quality product out there i.e Saw Palmetto should be rated as having 85% fatty acids.
GTE
(Green Tea Extract) GTE does lots of good things for both breast and prostate cancer. A big problem in both these cancers is a growth factor called TGFb1 (Transforming Growth Factor beta1) which both accelerates cancer and helps set up metastasis. GTE helps normalize this problem as well as doing a lot of other good things. Drinking green tea is a good thing and should be consumed as well, but you really need the supplements if you want to get somewhere. GTE needs to be rated at 40-50 % EGCG and 80-90% cathechins.
EFA’s
Essential Fatty Acids ) EFA’s Omegas 3, 6,and 9. Fish Oil, Borage Oil and Virgin Olive Oil respectively. Could write whole papers on any one of the things I have mentioned and EFA’s are the same. I will just take it from the standpoint of anti-inflammatory action. Omega 3 and 6(GLA) directly effect the inflammatory pathway Pg2. Those omegas redirect that pathway to Pg1 and/or Pg3 both of which are anti inflammatory. Inflammation is a major driver of all cancers.
Lycopene
Found in tomatoes (highest known food source, made more accessible through cooking) watermelon, pink grapefruit and papaya. Can also be used as a supplement. Has application with other cancers as well as Prostate cancer. Two problems Lycopene helps with in prevention and treatment are strengthening of cell to cell communication( called gap junction ) and in normalizing the growth factor, IGF-1, which cancer upregulates in order to proliferate.
Curcumin (95% curcuminoids )
Helps everything when it comes to cancer. Absorption improved with the addition of high quality fats. Blood serum levels extended when used with Bromelien( needs to be taken on an empty stomach) 1 hour before or after meals. As a food, curcuminoids are part of the spice Tumeric.
Flax Lignans
Can be purchased as a supplement: is excellent for both prostate and breast health and cancer. Flax lignans are regulatory in the in the area of estrogen production from fat cells. This is a process called aromatization. This can be a problem in both overweight men and women, producing higher estrogen levels. Flax lignans anti- aromatase action is pronounced and is even better with GTE, Pomegranate extract, and or Reishi mushroom. Freshly ground flax seed can be used as well in the diet. No pre ground flax seed or pre pressed flax oil (too unstable). Flax lignans help stabilize cell division.
Resveratrol
The supplement needs to be rated for its trans-resveratrol content (at least 20%). Another amazing supplement. Resveratrol occurs naturally in wine and grape products, but its commercial source is Japanesse Knotweed. The short version is that it is balancing to some very important areas in terms of inflammation ( NfKb and COX 2 ) . It also modulates and balances communication molecules that set up proliferation and invasion (ILL 6 Ill 8 ).
There is much, much more,
Harry Chrissakis
Herbalist M.H. Natural healing
contact@herbalist-herbs.com
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