Cats Claw Supplements May Support Cancer Treatment
What is cats claw?
This herb is thought to boost the immune system. Tea from cats claws bark has been used to treat wounds, stomach illness, arthritis, cancer and other ailments. Several compounds in cats claw may account for its alleged cancer-fighting and immune-boosting effects.
What does cats claw do?
Modern scientific studies have identified several active ingredients in cats claw that enhance the activity of the immune system and inhibit inflammation. Their presence may help explain why this herb traditionally has been used to fight arthritis, cancer, dysentery, ulcers and other infectious and inflammatory conditions.
Some doctors prescribe cats claw to stimulate the immune response in cancer patients, many of whom may be weakened by chemotherapy, radiation or other conventional cancer treatments.
How to take cats claw
- Take a standardized extract as directed by a health-care practitioner or following the manufacturers instructions.
- Pills containing the crude herb are often available in 500 or 1000-milligram capsules.
- Cats claw tea is sold in health food stores. Consult a herbalist or naturopath for a dosage recommendation. You can combine or rotate cats claw with other immune-stimulating herbs, such as echinacea, goldenseal, reishi and maitake mushrooms, astragalus or pau darco. Cats claw may increase the risk of bleeding and should be discontinued two weeks before surgery.
Selenium And Vitamin E
The medical community once considered selenium and vitamin E to be opponents of cancer.
However, more recent research suggests that these compounds, when taken together or in isolation, can increase the risk of prostate cancer in some people.
Anyone concerned about prostate cancer should avoid supplements containing vitamin E or selenium.
Natural Cures For Prostate Cancer
Lycopene
Food containing lycopene should be taken by people suffering from prostate on a regular basis because lycopene is basically a carotenoid that helps in keeping the prostate healthy. It has also been found through studies that the antioxidant functionality of lycopene helps in the reduction of the growth of prostate cancer.
It is only because of the antioxidant factor of lycopene that it is considered to be the best natural cure for prostate working wonders in the field of healing and providing health to the prostate.
Cooked Tomato
It has also been found through research that people especially men who are in the habit of taking cooked tomato on a regular basis do not suffer from prostate cancer and the are chances are also very little because cooked tomato and several products of tomato have the capability to provide certain health benefits that are helpful in fighting off the infection of the prostate. Cooked tomatoes should be taken instead of raw tomatoes or tomato juices because cooked tomatoes help in breaking down the cell walls which releases more lycopene.
Fruits
Lycopene is basically the main ingredient that is needed in fighting off prostate and its infections and therefore it is recommended that fruits that are a good source of lycopene should be taken so that the body is able to fight off prostate cancer. Pink grapefruits, guavas and watermelons can always be taken because they contain lycopene.
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Is Pomegranate Juice Chemopreventive
In rodent studies, scientists have demonstrated a positive effect of pomegranate in reducing cancer cell growth in mice. Studies on human cells show similar promise. This has led some researchers to recommend further exploration of pomegranate extract for human therapeutic use.
As with lycopene, drinking pomegranate juice and eating the whole fruit can easily be incorporated in a balanced, healthy diet. And doing so is not harmful when the juice or fruit is consumed in moderate amounts.
Prognosis If You Have Prostate Cancer
A high percentage of cases of prostate cancer are found in the early stages. When this is the case, the 5-year survival rate is close to 100%. The earlier the prostate cancer is found, the better the prognosis.
A Gleason Score is used to indicate the aggressiveness of cancer. Scores range from 2 to 10 . A score of under 7 indicates a more favorable prognosis a 7 indicates a moderate prognosis a score over 7 indicates a less favorable prognosis.
T1 and T2 tumors are indicative of a better prognosis than T3 and T4 tumors which have metastasized.
Conventional medicines main types of treatment for prostate cancer include:
- Surgery
American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research UK, Canadian Cancer Society
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Zinc For Search And Destroy
Numerous studies have now confirmed that zinc will not only prevent prostate cancers from occurring, it will actually kill rogue prostate cancer cells. This is thought to occur because of zincs powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
Further independent studies reported in Nature have also been able to validate that long-term zinc supplementation substantially reduces the risk of men developing advanced forms of prostate cancer.
One of the best ways to take zinc is in liquid colloidal form or chelated zinc tablets. The chelation process combines the mineral with certain proteins so that our digestive system more readily absorbs the mineral. Colloidal zinc has the highest absorption rate though. Dont buy the cheap stuff. Most of it will end up in your urine.
Do Conventional Medicaltreatments For Prostate Cancer Really Work
If you get diagnosed with the disease, the usual treatment is surgery and/or chemotherapy and radiation. But the long term success rate for these treatments is surprisingly low. In fact, a lot lower than what your doctor or urologist will bother to tell you!
In Associated Press magazine, January 27, 1994, an article titled Prostate Cancer Cure Questioned revealed that after ten years of following prostate cancer patients, only slightly more treated patients were still alive compared to patients who accepted absolutely no treatment at all. 1
So if orthodox medicine really is supposed to be that beneficial for you if you have prostate cancer, then these results certainly dont prove it!
However, there is an easier, safer and far more effective way to prevent and reverse prostate cancer than the torturous cut-burn-poison approach.
Through natural treatments and natural prostate remedies.
But dont be fooled, these treatments are extremely powerful and can save your life so you dont want to take any of them lightly!
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Exercise Caution Before Employing Natural Remedies In Lieu Of Medicine Therapy
Coping with prostate disease is never easy. You may find that established treatments are not always particularly effective and you may want to try other more natural methods for prostate cancer, such as herbs and supplements. But you should use them with caution, and always check with your doctor before taking any new type of medication.
An estimated one-third of American men with prostate cancer use at least one form of complementary medicine therapy, including herbs and supplements. Some studies have suggested herbs and supplements might help with prostate cancer treatment and support. But the main concern is that some herbs and supplements can interact with each other, or with your prescribed medications. For example, they may enhance the effects of some medications or negate any benefit.
One of the most common interactions involves herbs like St. John’s wort that affect the liver by acting on cytochrome P450 enzymes, which metabolize drugs.
Other herbs, like saw palmetto, which some men take for benign prostatic hyperplasia and melatonin supplements, which some men take in hopes it will slow the progression of prostate cancer, may increase their risk of bleeding when taken with other drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, anticoagulants, or antiplatelet medications.
Another issue is that it’s not 100% clear if herbs and supplements might protect against prostate cancer or slow its growth. There are also concerns they may even increase your risk.
Natural Ways To Treat An Enlarged Prostate
Symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland are most of often mild at first, but usually will get more bothersome over time. It’s very reasonable and safe to just keep an eye on it until it becomes bothersome enough to justify further treatment.
If the symptoms are getting worse, you and your doctor can then discuss medications. If you begin to have serious complications like urinary retention, it may be time to have a surgical procedure.
In follow-up visits every six to twelve months, your primary care doctor or urologist will measure your symptoms and perform a physical exam . He or she may also do a bladder scan after you use the bathroom to urinate to be sure your bladder is emptying as it should. This test measures what is called “post void residual.”
Your doctor also may order blood and urine tests. Blood tests could include a blood urea nitrogen and creatinine to check your kidney function and a prostate specific antigen . He or she might also ask for a urine sample to be sure there is not any prostate inflammation or infection.
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Tips For Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
- Maintain a healthy weight. For many men, this means avoiding weight loss by getting enough calories on a daily basis. For men who are overweight and are obese, this may mean losing some weight. If you are trying to lose weight, it should be moderate, meaning only about a pound a week.
- Get essential nutrients the body needs, such as protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, such as carotenoids, and water. Not only will your body function better, you will feel better.
- Be as active as you can, such as taking a daily walk. If you sit or sleep too much, you may lose muscle mass and increase your body fat, even if you are not gaining weight.
If you are struggling to eat enough or are eating too much, nutrition counseling may help you get essential nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals into your diet and maintain a healthy body weight. Ask your health care team for a referral to a registered dietitian or nutritionist. Dietitians and other members of the health care team work with people to meet their nutritional needs.
Considering Complementary And Alternative Methods
You may hear about alternative or complementary methods that your doctor hasnt mentioned to treat your cancer or relieve symptoms. These methods can include vitamins, herbs, and special diets, or other methods such as acupuncture or massage, to name a few.
Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctors medical treatment. Although some of these methods might be helpful in relieving symptoms or helping you feel better, many have not been proven to work. Some might even be harmful.
Be sure to talk to your cancer care team about any method you are thinking about using. They can help you learn what is known about the method, which can help you make an informed decision.
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Nutrition And Dietary Supplements
Preliminary studies suggest that some nutritional supplements may reduce the symptoms of some prostate cancers, or lower your risk of developing it. Ask your team of health care providers about the best ways to use these therapies in your overall treatment plan. Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using. DO NOT try to treat prostate cancer with supplements on your own.
Follow these tips to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer:
- Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits and vegetables .
- Include more cruciferous vegetables in your diet. One preliminary study found men who eat three or more servings a week reduced their chance of getting prostate cancer. Another study found that men who ate 28 or more servings of all kinds of vegetables per week were 35% less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who had fewer than 14 servings per week. These foods also seem to kill cancer cells in test tube studies.
- Eat more fish. Some studies show men who regularly eat fish have a lower risk of prostate cancer than those who do not eat as much fish.
- DO NOT eat foods high in saturated fat. High-fat diets may raise your risk of prostate cancer.
- Stay at a healthy weight, and exercise regularly.
These nutrients may have cancer-fighting properties:
Are Natural Treatments Effective For The Management Of Prostate Cancer
There are several non-invasive and natural modalities of care that can slow down or stop the progression of a pre-malignant lesion to invasive prostate cancer. The nature and course of treatments is usually decided after identifying the stage and grade of tumor. For example, early changes in the prostate lining tissue are generally managed via natural remedies .
According to a new research study reported in peer reviewed Contemporary Clinical Trials , the investigators explored the potential effects of different supplements as well as lifestyle modifications on the course of prostate malignancy. The results revealed that the nutrition and supplement intake can indeed help in slowing down the progression of prostate cancer by improving the natural immune defenses.
Based on the extensive research and analysis, several natural ingredients have been known to influence the overall outcomes. For example, most statistically significant nutrients include vitamin E and C, soy, fish oil and minerals like selenium.
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How Effective Are The Natural Treatments
As discussed previously, the response to therapy and type of natural regimen varies according to the patient factors, overall health of patient and staging of cancer. It is imperative to mention that dosing and dosing combination also plays a vital role. For example, it is believed that toxic intake of vitamin E can lead to prostate cancer in the men. Similarly the use of soy which contains essential amounts of isoflavones is also effective in the management of prostate cancer but excessive soy can aggravate the risk of other complications.
Based on several studies following combinations and dosing frequencies are usually recommended for the management of prostate cancer.
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Vitamin E |
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2-3 servings/week |
Benign prostate cancer is usually less of a problem however, once the cancer cells begin to metastasize to other organs or parts of body via new vascular formation active interventions usually becomes inevitable. Various research studies indicates that progression of a benign prostate cancer can be prevented by dietary modification and active supplementation.
Other natural remedies include:
Prostate Supplements That Work: Natural Remedies For Prostate
Prostate supplements that work can help men maintain a healthy prostate and greatly reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Men who suffer from an enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections, or frequent urination should try using a supplement to see if it helps improve their condition.
These supplements can also help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and improve a mans overall sexual health.
However, it is important to be careful when taking these kinds of natural supplements since they have been known to cause certain side effects.
In this article, we will provide some tips for choosing the best prostate supplements.
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Exercise And Lose Weight
Exercising and losing weight are some of the best things you can do to promote prostate health. Many studies show that moderate or vigorous exercise reduces risk of BPH and urinary tract symptoms and helps with prostatitis as well. Exercise also benefits your cardiovascular health and can help prevent other health and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.
If you are overweight, losing weight is one of the most important natural changes you can make in improving your prostate health, whether your concerns are cancer, BPH or prostatitis. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that overweight men, especially men with a high amount of abdominal fat, have an increased risk of BPH. If you are looking to shrink the prostate, losing weight can help you reduce your prostate size and help relieve annoying and frustrating urinary symptoms. On top of that, weight loss can reduce your risk for prostate cancer and help relieve prostatitis, too.
Withania Supplements May Help Reduce Weight Loss As A Result Of Cancer Treatment
What is withania?
Withania is a perennial with small, yellow and green flowers, and an orange berry. The root is used medicinally but the berries, leaves and bark are sometimes used too. It contains steroidal lactones, flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosterols and iron.
What does withania do?
Withania is thought to be capable of modulating the bodys response to stress-in the brain, it appears to stimulate the GABAergic system, the system involved in calming and quieting brain activity. By acting on the adrenal glands, it may also reduce blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is raised in chronic stress and can cause adverse effects.
Experts think withania may help support people with cancer. For instance, it may reduce the weight loss that commonly occurs with this condition. More importantly, it may help reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy on the bone marrow, which is where red and white blood cells are made.
How to take withania
- Dried root: take 3 to 6 grams a day in capsule form or as a tea.
- Fluid extract : take 5 to 13 millilitres a day.
- Your health-care practitioner can prescribe a specific dose, possibly coupled with other appropriate herbs, to suit your specific needs.
- If you are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy or taking immune-suppressing drugs, consult your specialist before taking withania.
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Surgery And Other Procedures
Removal of the prostate : Used to treat prostate cancer that has not spread. There are two types of radical prostatectomy. In retropubic surgery, surgeons remove the prostate and surrounding lymph nodes through an incision in the lower abdomen. In perineal surgery, doctors remove the prostate through an incision made between the anus and scrotum . Side effects can include incontinence and erectile dysfunction. In some cases, a technique called nerve-sparing surgery can have fewer sexual side effects.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy : RALRP is a newer procedure that uses a laparoscope, a long, thin tube with a camera, to magnify the area. Smaller incisions allow a quicker healing time.
Resection of the prostate : Removal of prostate tissue to let urine flow freely. It is sometimes used to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and may be used in men with prostate cancer who cannot have a radical prostatectomy.
Removal of the testes : Lowers testosterone levels, but side effects can include erectile dysfunction and hot flashes. Most men choose hormone therapy instead.
Radiation: Uses radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy: