Is there a suplement that lowers PSA

I found an interesting study involving 200 men with localized PCa who were enrolled in a 6 month study. Half took a capsule containing Pomegranate, Green tea, Turmeric, Broccoli; the other half a placebo. After 6 months the treatment group had increases in PSA of 15% while the other placebo group had 78% increase. It's a small group with a limited test period. It is not known if the lower rate of PSA increase would continue. I've decided to drink 8 ounces of pomegranate juice and at least one cup of green tea daily along with 2 capsules daily of Pomi-T which contain the Pomegranate, Green tea, Turmeric, Broccoli. It's not really expensive and appears safe so I figure what do I have to lose.

hrpufnstuf said...
I found an interesting study involving 200 men with localized PCa who were enrolled in a 6 month study. Half took a capsule containing Pomegranate, Green tea, Turmeric, Broccoli; the other half a placebo. After 6 months the treatment group had increases in PSA of 15% while the other placebo group had 78% increase. It's a small group with a limited test period. It is not known if the lower rate of PSA increase would continue. I've decided to drink 8 ounces of pomegranate juice and at least one cup of green tea daily along with 2 capsules daily of Pomi-T which contain the Pomegranate, Green tea, Turmeric, Broccoli. It's not really expensive and appears safe so I figure what do I have to lose.

i took Pomi-T for a few years, but found it was cheaper to buy the four individual ingredients separately, especially if you want larger doses. Tumeric curcumin can lower the PSA a bit. There is no question that many polyphenols are effective in the lab when in direct contact with PCa cells. The problem is one of bioavailability when ingested: you can't deliver a high concentration to the cancer lesions. There is a good amount of research in the area of deliver methods. In any case, most of the better supplement probably reduce inflammation, which is good.

Pomegranate studies have yielded varying results. It was found in one study that, although there was there was no overall benefit; about 1/4 ot the men with a specific genotype had PCa lesions that did reduce in size on imaging when taking pomegranate. If you want to try it, I suggest take a product that is made from all parts of the fruit--not just the juice. Always read the labels when deciding on a brand of supplement. IMO this is better (and cheaper) than drinking large amounts of pure pomegranate juice. Of course, you could use both.

Djin

Sr Sailor said...
I don't know what the background is for the original question, but I will repeat halbert's comment:

suppressing PSA through drugs or supplements can give a man a false sense of security that he doesn't have cancer--when, in fact, he might

I believe that any reduction in PSA from supplements is not very large. In any case, if you develop PCa, your PSA will rise--supplements will not keep it down. However, it's a good idea to let your uro know what supplements you are taking. The medical literature (not ads) can guide you to the better ones. Some have been shown to be ineffective, some may have beneficial effects, and some are even toxic. Do your research! Search for studies on individual ingredients in PubMed or Google Scholar.

Djin

Halbert, Well written and a vital distinction… Bill

I'll play the role of Captain Obvious here, and point out that in most cases, supplements are fine to try, when It comes to any kind of cancer. But should be used as a complement to, no instead of, mainstream treatment protocols.

As an aside, be careful of the sugar content of Pomegranate Juice. Even if its "sugar free" or "no sugar added", there will likely be "pseudo--sugars" like maltodextrin , fructose, all equally as unhealthy in large quantities.

It is my understanding that while there are a few things out there that can mask PSA none of them reduce tumor burden. I remember the Pom study. It didn’t do anything to fight cancer. I still drink 8 ounces a day mixed 50/50 with water. I like the taste as long as it is not too strong. It may not help fight cancer but it has improved the strength of my irine stream. When I was first diagnosed a friend turned me on a supplement that I took for 10 years. It was called.Pau D’ Arco! it is processed from the inner Bart of the Tahebo tree that grows in the Brazilian rainforest. It was once looked into as a treatment for prostate cancer however, it had a side effect bleeding. There are chemotherapies that are derived from the bark of the Yew tree Eating capsulized tree bark didn’t seem too outrageous. Did it help? I don’t know it didn’t hurt.

VinceInMT said...
I understand that reducing PSA does not mean reducing cancer and taking that approach might be like putting the black tape over the “Check Engine” light on the car dashboard. Or, maybe, like the old joke (Henry Youngman or Rodney Dangerfield, I can’t remember which), “My doctor says that if I can’t afford the surgery he can touch up the X-trays.”

From the NIH's PDQ, linked above:

"The only fully reported clinical trial of the use of pomegranate juice in men with prostate cancer showed that, on average, study participants who drank the juice had an increase in their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT) and it was associated with improved survival (i.e., slower progression of the disease)."

Djin

Looking at some of my past blood work which includes PSA, there is a statement under the PSA reading that states "Results may be falsely decreased if patient taking biotin".
Supplements like this would be on my patient portal so that may be a reason I have never been told to stop it. But they have never told me to stop any activities that may effect the reading like sex or exercise.