Supplements for Prostate Cancer 2024

By Dr Frank Yap, MD -

1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

The aging male is concern with prostate disease such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which gives rise to urinary problems such as..

  • Urinary frequency
  • Poor flow hesitancy
  • Terminal dribbling
  • Nocturia

BPH increases with age. The prostate enlarges and squeezes the urethra and hence encroaches on urinary flow.


2. Saw Palmetto Supplement for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 

Saw palmetto is a herbal product used in the treatment of symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The active component is found in the fruit of the American dwarf palm tree. 

Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of saw palmetto in reducing symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Saw palmetto appears to have efficacy similar to that of medications like finasteride, but it is better tolerated and less expensive. There are no known drug interactions with saw palmetto, and reported side effects are minor and rare.

The active part of the plant is the sterols and free fatty acids found in the berry. It is unclear which components are the most active, and the mechanism of action is not fully understood. Some of the mechanisms proposed include anti-inflammatory activity (1), blocked conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (2,3) and prostate epithelial involution similar to effects noted with the use of finasteride (Proscar) (4). 

(1) Lowe FC, Ku JC. Phytotherapy in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a critical review. Urology 1996:48:12- 20.

(2) Briley M. Carilla E, Roger A. Inhibitory effect of Permixon on testosterone 5a- reductase activity of the rat ventral prostate. Br J Pharmacol 1984:83 (suppl):401P 

(3) Marks LS, Hess DL, Dorey FJ, Macairan ML, Cruz Santos PB, Tyler VE. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology 2001:57.999-1005.

(4) Marks, LS, Partin AW, Epstein II. Tyler VE, Simon I, Macairan ML, et al. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol 2000,163:1451-6.


3. Supplements for Prostate Cancer

The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age. In Asia, it is often discovered at an advanced stage and there is little hope once it is discovered.

a. Selenium for Prostate Cancer

Normally, cells develop, grow old, and then die. Cancer cells, however, don't die naturally. Cancer cells would pose far less of a problem if the normal suicide switch within them could be reactivated. 

A growing number of researchers have found evidence suggesting that dietary selenium protects men against this cancer. A February 2003 paper in the International Journal of Cancer found that among 445 US men, high blood concentrations of selenium appeared to reduce by 30 percent the risk that a man would develop prostate cancer. 

So how does selenium protect the prostate? It may be by controlling the selective culling of cells with damaged DNA.

Research has shown that this process of cell suicide or apoptosis is increased in selenium-supplemented prostate in animal studies (5). Results of a randomized controlled trial have suggested a protective effect of selenium against prostate cancer (6).

5. Waters, D.J., et al. 2003. Effects of dietary selenium supplementation on DNA damage and apoptosis in canine prostate. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 95(Feb. 5):237-241.

6. Van Den Brandt, et al. Toenail selenium levels and the subsequent risk of prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention Vol. 12, 866-871, September 2003.

b. Lycopene for Prostate Cancer

Lycopene, a natural antioxidant found in a number of fruits and vegetables, is being associated with a reduction in the risk of prostate cancer. 

Recent studies conducted by a Harvard professor indicate that Lycopene, the red pigment of the tomato, which is a powerful carotenoid, seems to be one of the most potent antioxidants that works for prostate cancer prevention. There is mounting evidence that carotenoids prevent damage to DNA and help keep cancer from forming.


References

1. Lowe FC, Ku JC. Phytotherapy in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a critical review. Urology 1996:48:12- 20.

2. Briley M. Carilla E, Roger A. Inhibitory effect of Permixon on testosterone 5a- reductase activity of the rat ventral prostate. Br J Pharmacol 1984:83 (suppl):401P 

3. Marks LS, Hess DL, Dorey FJ, Macairan ML, Cruz Santos PB, Tyler VE. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology 2001:57.999-1005.

4. Marks, LS, Partin AW, Epstein II. Tyler VE, Simon I, Macairan ML, et al. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol 2000,163:1451-6.

5. Waters, D.J., et al. 2003. Effects of dietary selenium supplementation on DNA damage and apoptosis in canine prostate. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 95(Feb. 5):237-241.

6. Van Den Brandt, et al. Toenail selenium levels and the subsequent risk of prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention Vol. 12, 866-871, September 2003.


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