Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider About Cam
When considering complementary and alternative therapies, patients should ask their health care provider the following questions:
- What side effects can be expected?
- What are the risks related to this therapy?
- What benefits can be expected from this therapy?
- Do the known benefits outweigh the risks?
- Will the therapy affect conventional treatment?
- Is this therapy part of a clinical trial?
- If so, who is the sponsor of the trial?
- Will the therapy be covered by health insurance?
Zinc Protects Dna Integrity In The Prostate
The general functions of zinc in the maintenance of DNA integrity may be also very important for prostate health. Zinc depletion in cells including normal prostate epithelial cells increased DNA strand breaks , and dietary zinc depletion also elevated DNA damage in rat testes or monkey livers . Our lab have recently shown that dietary zinc depletion in health men significantly increased DNA damage in peripheral blood cells, and zinc repletion reversed the DNA damage back to the baseline levels . Since zinc is an essential component in numerous transcription factors, antioxidant defense enzymes and DNA repair proteins, zinc may protect DNA integrity through two different mechanisms: 1) zinc has antioxidant properties and suppresses the generation of oxidative damage 2) zinc is essential for DNA damage responses and help repair DNA damage or remove damaged cells .
Secondly, zinc deficiency may impair DNA repair functions. Many proteins involved in DNA repair pathways are zinc-containing metalloproteins, such as tumor suppressor gene p53, Xeroderma pigmentosum A , Replication Protein A , and poly ADP ribose polymerase . These proteins are involved in DNA repair pathways of damage recognition, nuclear excision repair or base excision repair . Since zinc is essential for the function of some DNA repair proteins, zinc depletion may impair the activity of these proteins and interfere with the DNA repair functions.
When To See A Doctor
Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms or suspects that their job has exposed them to too much zinc should seek emergency care or call a poison control center right away.
It is also important to discuss any nutritional or vitamin supplements with a doctor before starting to take them. Doing this is especially important if a person is taking other medications or has a medical condition that the extra zinc intake could affect.
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Is Zinc Good For Prostatitis
Prostatitis is another condition where zinc may yield positive effects. This particular condition usually refers to an acute set of symptoms that develop, which include inflammation that occurs within the prostate gland.
The inflammation can lead to several potential complications.
The patient may find that urination becomes difficult. This happens because the swelling of the prostate gland leads to a restriction in the urethra.
When we take a look at the role of zinc in prostatitis, we will definitely see many similarities with what we have discussed previously.
The significant difference here is the fact that prostatitis will generally lead to an acute case of inflammation.
The utilization of zinc supplementation in the case of prostatitis might, however, still yield an anti-inflammatory effect in some individuals especially when levels of zinc in the persons body is lower than what it should be.
Lifestyle Tips For Managing Bph
People can take steps to manage the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. These include:
- attempting to urinate at least once before leaving the home to avoid urinary leakage or other potentially stressful incidents in public
- double voiding, which involves trying to urinate a few minutes after urinating the first time to drain the bladder as much as possible during bathroom visits
- trying not to drink fluids in the 2 hours before bedtime to avoid going to sleep with a full bladder
Most males have a 50% chance of having BPH by the age of 60 years and a 90% chance by the age of 85 years.
Limited research has associated BPH with an increased risk of prostate cancer and bladder cancer, with the risk of prostate cancer being particularly high in Asian people with BPH. However, the limitations of the included studies mean that there is a need for additional prospective studies with a strict design to confirm the findings.
Several types of foods and nutrients can reduce or trigger BPH and its associated symptoms.
Foods that may be beneficial for people with BPH include:
- fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, legumes, beans, and dark, leafy greens
- fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, which are usually dark red, yellow, or orange
- foods rich in zinc, such as eggs, most types of seafood, and nuts
- products that contain phytoestrogens, such as soy foods, chickpeas, alfalfa, and fava beans
Foods that people with BPH, or those at risk of developing it, should avoid or limit include:
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Purpose Of This Summary
This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the use of nutrition and dietary supplements for reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer or for treating prostate cancer. It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care.
What Is The Best Form Of Zinc For Prostate Health
When it comes to increasing the intake of zinc one of the first thoughts is to buy a zinc supplement.
While it is possible to get dietary zinc, the use of a supplement may provide a person with that extra peace of mind. Especially when concerned about conditions like prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
There are different forms of zinc available in supplement form. This can be quite confusing for the average man who is looking to take a tablet that will benefit his prostate.
Understanding the differences between these forms of zinc is important, as some of them are absorbed into the body more effectively than others.
The lower-priced zinc supplements usually tend to include a form of the nutrient known as Zinc Gluconate. This is a common zinc supplement that can be found over-the-counter. Zinc Gluconate is often used in cold medicines.
For those who want a budget-friendly zinc supplement, an alternative option would be Zinc Citrate. The taste of this alternative option is considered an improvement by most people, and the absorption rate is not affected.
When a person is at risk of zinc deficiency, they may be provided with a form of the supplement known as Zinc Sulfate. This particular supplement is also often offered to people with acne.
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Complementary And Alternative Therapies
Be sure to tell your doctors about any herbs or supplements you take, or any alternative therapies you use. Some herbs, supplements, and alternative therapies may interfere with conventional medicine. Work with a doctor who is experienced in complementary and alternative therapies to find the combination of treatments that is right for you.
Transformation Of Normal Prostate To Bph: Bph As A Precursor Of Prostate Cancer
While the development of BPH is not yet completely understood, the etiology appears to be under endocrine control and multifactorial . Common consensus explains the volumetric increase of the prostate gland due to reduced apoptosis and cellular hyperplasia. This theory is defined as the âprimordial cellâ theory .
The development of BPH often begins around 40 years of age with a focal phenomenon of stromal origin. From the age of 50, there is then a global and rapid increase in volume due to an increase in the number of fibromuscular and glandular tissue cells, both in the periurethral and transitional areas. Thus, the increase in prostate volume is caused by excessive cell growth and a limited process of apoptosis, caused by the imbalance of growth-promoting factors and that of inhibitors, manifesting as pathology. Thereby, the leading causes of cell growth are:
Lifestyle
Besides endocrine factors such as DHT, lifestyle factors, especially those associated with metabolic abnormalities connected to cardiovascular disease, pose a risk for developing prostatic diseases such as BPH and prostate cancer. These factors lead to the so-called metabolic syndrome, which includes glucose intolerance, hypertension, and obesity .
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Prostate Cancer Nutrition And Dietary Supplements Patient Version
On This Page
Men in the United States get prostate cancer more than any other type of cancer except skin cancer. It occurs mainly in older men. In the United States, about 1 in every 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Most men with prostate cancer do not die of it.
Complementary and alternative medicine is a form of treatment used in addition to or instead of standard treatments.
CAM use among men with prostate cancer is common. Studies of why men with prostate cancer decide to use CAM show that their choice is based on medical history, beliefs about the safety and side effects of CAM compared to standard treatments, and a need to feel in control of their treatment.
CAM treatments used by men with prostate cancer include certain foods, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
Different types of research have been done to study the use of CAM in prostate cancer. These study types include the following:
This PDQ summary has sections about the use of specific foods and dietary supplements to prevent or treat prostate cancer:
Each section includes the following information for each food or dietary supplement:
- How it is given or taken.
- Results of studies done in people.
- Side effects or risks.
Questions And Answers About Calcium
Calcium is a mineral that is needed for basic blood vessel, muscle, and nerve functioning, for sending signals from cell to cell, and for releasing hormones. It is the most common mineral in the body. The body stores calcium mainly in bone tissue.
The main sources of calcium are in foods and dietary supplements. About one-third of dietary calcium comes from milk and milk products like cheese and yogurt. Vegetable sources include Chinese cabbage, kale, and broccoli. Foods may have calcium added, such as fruit juices and drinks, tofu, and cereals.
Most research about calcium and prostate cancer risk has studied calcium in the diet and not calcium in supplements.
See the Laboratory/Animal/Preclinical Studies section of the health professional version of Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements for information on laboratory and animal studies done using calcium.
Population studies
Clinical trials
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Is There Anything That Could Benefit Me Now
For symptomatic relief, a fruit known as Saw Palmetto may be just the answer you were looking for, Long-term treatment of BPH with Serenoa repens saw research participants experience decreased urinary obstruction and increased flow, as well as an increase in sexual function. Products such as Prostate 1 come in tablets containing organic saw palmetto fruit extract and can be taken every day to manage symptoms. The berry works due to its ability to inhibit 5-reductase which results in reduced levels of dihydrotestosterone and a decreased risk of developing BPH. It also has the ability to inhibit epidermal growth factor which contributes to the enlargement of the prostatic glandular tissue.
Selenium And The Heart
Scientists don’t fully understand how selenium functions in the body, but one important role is its antioxidant activity. As a result, doctors have wondered if it might help fight atherosclerosis. Indeed, in 1982, a Finnish study reported that people with low blood selenium levels had an increased risk for developing coronary artery disease, and a 1991 study of Finnish men linked low selenium levels to atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. But in 1995, the Harvard Physicians’ Health Study cast considerable doubt on the hypothesis that selenium protects the heart. In fact, in American men, high selenium levels were associated with a very slight increase in heart attack risk. And a 2006 study reported that taking selenium supplements had no effect on cardiovascular disease.
Researchers are now concentrating on selenium and cancer. The first glimmers came from the observation that cancer is less common in parts of the world that have high levels of selenium in the soil. Experiments in test tubes and laboratory animals followed, and many found potential anticancer activities for selenium. But a 1996 publication really put selenium on the map.
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The Prevalence Of Low Zinc Status In Men Over 50 And Its Endogenous And Exogenous Causes: A Need For Zinc Supplementation
In the light that more than half of men in their 60’s suffer from BPH, which increases to 90% by 70â80 years of age, and the direct effects of zinc on normal or malignant prostate cells, the need of adequate zinc status in men for having a healthy prostate becomes evident. Prostate zinc levels are depending on circulating zinc concentrations that have to be considered , which puts a focus on maximizing cellular uptake of zinc in tissues and absorption of zinc in the intestines. It has been shown in several studies that older adults frequently have low zinc status . Although the daily requirement for zinc does not increase with age, lifestyle factors and a reduced capacity to absorb zinc, an increase in the likelihood of diseases that affect zinc utilization, and the use of drugs that may decrease the bioavailability of zinc may all contribute to putting older individuals at an increased risk for the development of a mild zinc deficiency .
Table 1. Summary of endogenous and exogenous factors that may contribute to low zinc status in older men.
The requirement for dietary zinc may be as much as 50% greater for individuals on a vegetarian diet whose major food staples are grains and legumes because high levels of phytate in these foods reduce zinc absorption .
The Link Between Zinc And Erectile Dysfunction
Overview
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sexual problems that men deal with. There are a host of different causes of ED that range from nutrient deficiencies to clinical depression. Its important to talk to a medical professional about ED, in order to determine the cause of the issue before exploring treatment options. That said, erectile dysfunction has been found in recent years to be a symptom of zinc deficiency.
Low levels of zinc can be the cause for a variety of health-related problems. Zinc is a key mineral that cells use to metabolize nutrients. Immune function, DNA and protein production, and cell division are all related to zinc levels in the body. Zinc also enables the male body to produce testosterone. Because of this, your levels of zinc may affect erectile dysfunction.
Despite its importance, many adults do not get enough zinc.
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How Does Zinc Affect Testosterone Production And Prostate Health
Zinc plays a crucial role in both testosterone production and prostate health. Prostate tissues rely on zinc for overall health. Zinc also plays a key role in sperm production and motility. Since it increases a mans sperm count, a deficiency can also lead to infertility. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey discovered that 45% of adults over 60 have low levels of zinc.
One significant problem between zinc deficiency and testosterone is that it prevents the prostate gland from converting testosterone into DHT with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT has been blamed for breaking down testosterone and contributing to prostate enlargement and even damaging hair follicles and leading to baldness. Aging men have higher levels of DHT in their bloodstreams.
Part of the low testosterone-zinc deficiency connection focuses on the enzyme aromatase, which is used to convert testosterone into estrogen. Zinc inhibits aromatase from making this conversion. As men age, their estrogen levels rise while their testosterone levels decline. This becomes a problem because estrogen stimulates another chemical sex hormone-binding globulin that binds to testosterone so that it is no longer free in the bloodstream and able to perform its tasks.
Why Is This Happening
Male anatomy includes a gland located between the bladder and penis that secretes prostatic fluid, meant to nourish sperm and provide protection for its journey out of the body. Running through the centre of this gland is the urethra, the tube whereby urine exits the body.
When prostate tissue starts to enlarge, it can put pressure on the urethra causing you to experience symptoms associated with a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia . The benign part is important to stress here as it indicates that BPH is a non-cancerous growth of tissue.
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Zinc And Prostate Cancer
The dietary supplement business is a multibillion-dollar industry. You can buy supplements in virtually every supermarket and drugstore in America, to say nothing of the growing number of health food stores and “body shops” that specialize in them. The array is bewildering, and dramatic health claims and testimonials add to the confusion and the temptation. But despite their variety, supplements have two things in common: Few have been studied scientically, and none is regulated by the FDA.
A large number of supplements are sold to protect the prostate and promote its healthy function. Many contain zinc. About 15% of all Americans take supplements that contain zinc and many men who take them are getting much more zinc than recommended.
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