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Krill Oil and Fighting Prostate Cancer

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Posted 11/29/2012 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
For the last year I have been suffering from arthritis pain and swelling in my finger joints which my doctor and I think is hereditary as my mother started getting the same in her early 60's. It was suggested that I start taking 1000mg daily of Krill Oil which I began 4 weeks ago. Krill Oil is about 100 times more potent than fish oil for Omega-3 antioxidants. Within a week the swelling and pain began to lesson in my finger joints and now is almost non existent. In fact for the first time in months I can easily remove my wedding ring and make a fist as the joint swelling has gone down so much.

I have been doing a lot of research on fish oil and more specifically Krill oil and came across some interesting stuff on Krill Oil for preventing and  fighting Prostate cancer including recommendations from Dr Meyers.

Here are some of the better links I found:

http://advancedprostatecancer.net/?p=594

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/04/04/beat-prostate-cancer-by-getting-your-omega-3s.aspx

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/krill-oil-benefits.html

Has anyone here been taking Krill Oil as part of their fight against PC?

 

Posted 11/29/2012 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Where can one get this Krill Oil and shouldn't we consult with our Doctor before taking it?
Posted 11/29/2012 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
In Norwegian, the word "krill" means "whale food."

Gee Water Guy, how big a boy are you?
Posted 11/29/2012 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
KRILL OIL SIDE EFFECTS & SAFETY
Krill oil seems to be safe for most adults when used appropriately for a short amount of time (up to three months). Research on krill oil has not adequately evaluated its safety or possible side effects. However, it is likely that krill oil can cause some side effects similar to fish oil such as bad breath, heartburn, fishy taste, upset stomach, nausea, and loose stools.

Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of krill oil during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Seafood allergy: Some people who are allergic to seafood might also be allergic to krill oil supplements. There is no reliable information showing how likely people with seafood allergy are to have an allergic reaction to krill oil; however, until more is known, avoid using krill oil or use it cautiously if you have a seafood allergy.

Surgery: Because krill oil can slow blood clotting, there is concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using krill oil at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1172-Krill+Oil.aspx?activeIngredientId=1172&activeIngredientName=Krill+Oil&source=1
Posted 11/29/2012 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Steve,

I have approval from my GP for using Krill Oil for my arthritis and he was the first one to tell me about this. He also has approved my going off of Lipitor and using Red Yeast Rice as a natural staten for lowering cholesterol for a 6 month test to see how effective it is compared to Lipitor without the Lipitor SE's.  I have had no problems with heartburn, fishy taste or bad breath and it was recommended that keeping the KO soft gels in the refrigerator reduces these possible SE. After 30 days of taking two 500mg gels at breakfast I was told to go to 1 gel a day for my arthritis in my fingers. I do not want this to become another POM thread and only posted about KO and prostate cancer as a form of information as I do not take it or endorse it  PC treatment.

As with most natural medicinal treatments not enough research has been done on KO IMO but all I know it has worked so far on my arthritis and I am happy as I use my hands in my business. I buy my KO and Red Yeast Rice from a source on Amazon that is well known for  high quality dietary supplements and uses Krill  from the Antarctic Ocean which is supposed to be the purest and safest Krill source for Krill Oil.  Anyone who wants this information please send me an email and I will give you the Amazon link for my source.

Terry

Posted 11/29/2012 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Here's a blog post in HuffPo that seems to do a good job with the issue of Omega 3 and PCa. (The article is mostly about Flax oil but it ends up finding Krill oil better and explaining why.)

www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-cooper/fish-oil-benefits-_b_832661.html

My only caveat with the Krill oil is that the amount of EPA and DHA in krill oil supplements is not that big. Here is what's in a serving of VitaCost SKO (superior krill oil) -- a brand that I use:

Krill Oil 1000 mg *
Phospholipids , Omega-3 rich 420 mg *
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) 150 mg *
DHA (Docosahexaernoic Acid) 90 mg *
Omega-6 Fatty Acids Total 30 mg *
Astaxanthin 1.5 mg *

Compare this to their "Mega EFA" fish oil per serving:

Purified Fish Oil (molecularly distilled)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids 2126 mg *
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) 800 mg
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) 400 mg

The Omega 3 in the krill oil is in phospholipid form which makes it slightly more bioavailable but there isn't a lot of it and krill oil is expensive. On the other hand the Astaxanthin is a good anti-oxidant and probably contributes to the anti-inflammatory benefit.

That's why I take both. FWIW.
Posted 11/29/2012 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Terry,

Thanks for posting your story and the links. I'll be checking into this. My mom's hands look pretty gnarled and I'd like to head off some of the joint issues I see starting to come my way. The PCa side is not an issue any more, per my signature.

Post Edited (Explorer59) : 11/29/2012 5:39:48 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/29/2012 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Explorer,

My mom is 85  and has terrible arthritis in her hands. She was a talented artist and had to give up painting in her early 70's as she couldn't hold a brush. She started on Krill oil 2 weeks ago and has already noticed sizable reduction in the pain and swelling in her fingers. I found Krill Oil solely for my treatment of my arthritis and then discovered the other benefits for lowering cholesterol and then the PC benefits that I posted.

Terry

Posted 11/29/2012 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
My primary care doctor put me on fish oil plus a couple more supplements. It is a given I will discuss krill oil with him before adding it or replacing fish oil. Any doc I see gets the full list of what I take, prescription or not.

Explorer

Post Edited (Explorer59) : 11/29/2012 5:40:36 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/29/2012 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
I was at pretty high doses of statins due to cholesterol. It was deemed familial, so there is only so much you can do with meds or supplements.

At high doses of statins, I was an absolute mess. The SE's included muscle aches, joint pain, intolerance to exercise. And, some very senior moments.

I went the Krill oil route for a while and it helped the joint/muscle pain and some arthritis I have in my hands and feet.

I would say it certainly helped. My doc was aware of what I was doing and 1000 mG a day was my dose. My cholesterol went down. My ability to exercise went up and my statin dose went down.

IMHO, I think the lowering of the statin dose and increase in exercise probably helped the cholesterol and maybe the krill helped the inflammation. There were some other factors as simple diet changes that helped also.

I'm at 10 mG of Zocor a day. That is a fairly low dose of a statin that isn't nearly as powerful as lipitor or crestor. My cholesterol numbers are at the higher end of the range where they should be. That's a good balance for me. My GP agrees.

Posted 11/29/2012 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Mickey,

I had the same problems and SE's with Lipitor and my high cholesterol is also familiar related. With the consent of my GP and cardiologist I have gone off the Lipitor and an now taking Red Yeast Rice and so far no side effects. I am on a 6 month trial with my doctors approval and will know in March if this is controlling my cholesterol. My mother has been on Red Yeast Rice for a long time with as good results as when she was on Lipitor. I hope to do the same as I refuse to take any more synthetic man made statens. I get my Red Yeast Rice from the same manufacturer and source. the Krill oil. My doctor also approves of my taking the Krill Oil. Before starting the KO my fingers hurt so bad I couldn't hold a pen and sign my name with out a lot of pain. Today I have no pain in my joints and can write again with a pen.

Terry

Posted 11/29/2012 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Terry,

I hope you're doing better off them, than on them. Statins have a negative effect on many people. (BTW Red Yeast Rice is probably the original "statin"...it's natural and can't be patented under various names)

My doc had me at increased doses of statins this past spring and summer...as I said in my last post.

He asked I do this increase to reduce blood cholesterol. I agreed with the argument that if I am going to end up sitting on the couch, not able to exercise, I want to see the benefits of high statin doses.

Without wanting to start a fight here about what statins and cholesterol have in common, I will say statins reduce cholesterol. Is that good or bad? Everything I have been able to find out about statin drugs is "cholesterol goes down"...and so does "infammation" at an arterial level...in lower doses than needed to reduce cholesterol. If every person had very low cholesterol...no heart disease? Not the case. Everyone that has high cholesterol will die young...not so.

The last time I checked online (some time ago), the actual efficacy of statins...it was proven that 1 in 100 persons would benefit. The SE's are too high for that. Especially if a bit of exercise and change in diet can help some..and there are some solid arguments that dietary intake of cholesterol does not affect cholesterol blood serum (what your doc checks for).

The problems I had with statins are becoming far less unusual. And they were very, very unpleasant.

A someone else said, due diligence is now more on the individual.

IMHO

my docs are aware of all my meds and supplements...

Posted 11/29/2012 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Mikey and Terry,

I'll add that it is good to see some of this aired. Modern medicine offers many benefits. Too often, though, we see only limited acknowledgement from the mainstream that a holistic approach has merit. We are our our own best advocate on all health concerns including of course PCa treatment decisions. Self advocacy starts with understanding and you guys are putting some useful information out for others to consider. Thanks.

Explorer
Posted 11/29/2012 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
There are some GPs that think the lower the cholesterol, the better. That usually results in, amongst other things, an increase in statin dose. I was at the highest dose of crestor allowable. I believe it is still the most potent of all the statin drugs.

That affected a lot of things in my life...and didn't really have a big impact on my blood serum cholesterol levels.

In working with my GP, my cholesterol levels are at the high end of acceptable and no more statin SE's.
Posted 11/29/2012 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
why was my answer to this thread removed?????

all i said, is common sense advice, about having your doctor approve any supplement use

that is not an offensive remark, many of our doctors already advise such approaches

david in sc
Posted Yesterday 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
David,

What you actually typed, probably a typo, was that you should not use a supplement with the knowledge of your doctor. Then some others slammed you in replies for discussions I'll not repeat. Since it was clearly a lost cause, I deleted several posts, yours included. I've given up on editing some of this stuff.

I did it.

Posted Yesterday 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
142 - so once again, the baby gets thrown out with the bath water. with this particular supplement, doctors advisement is warranted. i make no apology for that.

i did not see or check back on the thread, so i have no idea what was said after. i can only guess it was the same people that attack my posts as usual. the originator of this thread e-mailed me, and had no problem with my response, as he was under doctor's advisement anyhow.

i don't like this new tactic, since i broke no rules with my answer in any sense of the word, why delete my answer? don't i have an equal right to my opinion, i didn't answer rude or offensively, but from what you indicate, others must have. this is really getting old. makes no sense to punish the good with the bad.

david
Posted Yesterday 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Terry, my husband took red yeast rice for years...it did lower his cholesterol but not to the level that his doctor wanted it to be, so he is now on Lipitor (5 mg. daily). I too am on Lipitor (10 mg. daily) and, for both John and I, the darn drug worked. Both of us now have "excellent" lipid profiles and, so far, no side effects, but we are both on very low doses.

Good luck with the red yeast rice. My husband was also taking 6 fish oil capsules each day. His kidney values went a bit wonky a year ago and his doctor took him off all supplements and put him on Lipitor. Kidney values are now back in the normal range. Don't know if it was the red yeast rice, the fish oil, a combination of both, or neither but the doctor did not want to play around anymore with the supplements.

Mikey, you are right in that some doctors want ridiculously low cholesterol levels. My husband's doctor is one of them but my doctor is happy as long as the cholesterol is under 190 and all other components of my lipid profile (HDL, LDL, triglycerides) are where they need to be. So far, so good. John's triglycerides are still a bit on the high side but those are easily controlled with diet. I don't know about the statistics you cited for the efficacy of statin drugs: I know 5 people (myself included) who take statins and all of us have seen a drastic drop in our cholesterol and HDLs, and none have experienced any side effects. I did know of one person who experienced muscle pain/weakness, and her doctor switched her to another type of statin...the muscle problems disappeared.
Posted Yesterday 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie - I had a similar experience. I was on lipitor and after awhile had some muscle pain; switched to simvastatin and the pains disappeared. Cheaper too. Based on this thread I am going to give Red Yeast Rice and Krill oil a try.
Posted Yesterday 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
David, I think your post that was removed said that you would not take KO with a doctors approval and I assumed you left out the word "out" after with.

I was on 20mg of Lipitor for 4 years which lowered my cholesterol from 240 to 135 but I was having some annoying memory problems which is one of the big negative side effects from high levels of statens. After being off the Lipitor for 4 months the memory issues have gone away.  I have seen some studies that long term Staten use may be linked to early alzheimer's which is why I will not go back on Lipitor for any reason. Having dealt with a family member with alzheimer's I would rather die younger from a heart attack.

I am lucky to have a GP who believes in natural and holistic approaches to many medical issues.

When I researched the Krill Oil I found the references to its use for prostate cancer and BPH problems. One article I found referenced Dr Snuffy Meyers recommendation of Krill Oil as part of his dietary approach to treating advanced PC for the Omega 3 content over other sources like flax seed.

 

Posted Yesterday 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
It's funny this discussion just started, as I had been reading about Krill Oil over Fish Oil for the past several days. I completely ruled out the Flaxseed Oil for many of the reasons stated in the article above.

Anyway, my cholesterol has always been over 200. Since my first physical at 18 if I recall correctly. I don't eat a fatty diet. I try to exercise, but with 3 kids, 5 and under, it gets a bit hectic and problematic to get "real" exercise regularly. This last physical, my cholesterol was 250, but the ratios of good to bad are excellent. My GP wrote me a prescription for a statin, but I really reject the idea of taking a pill everyday for the rest of my life.

But in looking around for ways to reduce cholesterol with supplements, I found the Linus Pauling Therapy. It's high doses of Vitamin C, L-Lysine, and L-Proline. I've decided to give it a go. I've considered adding the Red Rice supplement as well along with the Krill Oil over the basic Fish Oil. The Krill oil is said to be more "bioavailable" than the plain Fish Oil. If it works to smooth joints movements and with inflammation, that's a bonus. At 43, the cracking of the knees and shoulders just bugs me, more that it's a real problem.

What's funny to me in a kind of ironic way is that I'm willing to take 12 supplement pills, but not one statin. It's just something about the "chemical" nature of some drugs and the SE's that accompany them, I think.

Anyway, good luck with the Krill Oil.
Posted Yesterday 2:31 PM (GMT 0)

PeterDisAbelard said...
Here's a blog post in HuffPo that seems to do a good job with the issue of Omega 3 and PCa. (The article is mostly about Flax oil but it ends up finding Krill oil better and explaining why.)

www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-cooper/fish-oil-benefits-_b_832661.html

Peter,

Thanks for the link. I had never heard of Dr. Myers. I checked him out on Amazon and his book, Beating Prostate Cancer (Hormonal Therapy & Diet) must be very popular because the cheapest (used) copy goes for $82.59 (this has gone up since yesterday).

Just wondering, has anyone read this book? I'm not about to drop $82.59 on a book, but will search for it if it's worth reading.

Ted
Posted Yesterday 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Ted, Dr Charles "Snuffy" Meyers gets a lot of discussion in the HW forum and many have consulted with him about treating advanced PC. He is considered by many to be one of the leading authorities and practitioners on treating Advanced PC through diet and life style changes supplementing with traditional RT and HT treatments. From the little I know about him, if I had advanced PC he is one of the first doctors I would seek a consult with.

You could start another thread asking the book question and I am sure you will get many responses on Dr Meyers and his works.

Terry

Posted Yesterday 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
The used book prices are often set by people/ hustlers trying to make a quick buck, especially on books that are no longer available new.
Meyers has a lot of free video's available on Wordpress.
askdrmyers.wordpress.com/
Posted Yesterday 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
My interest in minimizing my use of statins is driven by a couple things. First is my reluctance to accept that only by taking a pill can I manage my health. Other cultures don't have many of the western health problems, and they don't take our plethora of drugs to avoid our diseases. Second is a concern for side effects, since many drugs are discovered to have a beneficial effect for treating a certain condition, rather than being designed to act on only a single function in our biochemistry. Many seemingly promising drugs are nixed precisely because of side effects, but others are approved because side effects are manageable.

Several thoughts for any who care to pursue this:
A) Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, manufactured by a specific biochemical process. It is required for repair of cells, among other things. You might find it is also a precursor for hormones of interest to those of us with PCa.

B) Statins work by inhibiting a certain pathway in the body's production mechanism for cholesterol. This pathway is not exclusive to producing cholesterol though. Inhibiting his pathway disrupts production of another key substance. The result is reducing the risk of a heart attack while raising the risk of another heart problem. See this article http://www.spacedoc.com/statins_CoQ10.htm

C) The long held assumption that elevated cholesterol is the cause of arterial disease that leads to heart attacks has been challenged. Google inflammation and arterial disease. Note that this leads back to one of the functions of cholesterol in A, specifically repairing damage to cells.

D) Statins aren't outright evil. Low dose statins can help address inflammation, at levels well below that which cause significant side effects.

E) Understanding why we have inflammation and correcting that is probably of more value to our overall health. Go back to the comment about western culture and disease, then look at our diet to track down how we may be creating our own problems.

Personally, I made a big dent in 'high' LDL cholesterol and a bad L/H ratio with relatively simple diet changes and very moderate exercise. I needed a bit more and conceded to take a low dose of generic statin. But, I supplement CoQ10 to offset the lost production due to statin use and plain old aging. The CoQ10 supplement was recommended by my Dad's cardiologist, Dr Peter Langsjoen. All of my doctors know all of my supplements. None of them have any concerns now that my cholesterol levels are moderated.

I could go on, as my Dad has a PhD in biochemistry and I learned a fair amount from him. However, this is getting off topic for a PCa forum. Those who are interested should do there own research, though I'll be glad to assist.

Explorer
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