Natural Cures for Prostate Cancer - Do They Exist?

Are there worthwhile natural treatments for prostate cancer?

There are almost certainly some good possible natural cures for prostate cancer which can help some people, especially in the early stages of this insidious disease.

Here is a detailed look at one natural treatment which has had some recent interest in scientific circles - and some success with real patients.

This excellent and heartening article is from Jennifer Clary of Gobble Green vegan foods.

(It's worth noting that a vegan diet is also particularly good for the planet as it generally far more sustainable than a heavily meat based diet.)

There is some information below the article on other possible natural cures for prostate cancer.

Always consult your physician before embarking on any radical change of diet or supplementation.

Possible natural cures for prostate cancer?

Veganism: A Possible Alternative Natural Cure for Prostate Cancer

by Jennifer Clary

Prostate cancer is a debilitating disease that afflicts millions of men worldwide.

Characterized by difficulty urinating, painful ejaculation, and chronic lower body stiffness, prostate cancer often times interferes with men’s daily routines and limits their ability to enjoy the activities in which they once delighted. In the United States, 192,280 men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and 27,360 men have died from this insidious illness since January 2009.

For patients with late stage prostate cancer, traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immuno-therapy, and vaccine therapy are generally necessary. However, for men with early stage prostate cancer, some doctors are now recommending a less invasive, alternative treatment: veganism.

A vegan diet and prostate cancer

A vegan dish from Gobble Green

Further, none of the participants in Dr. Dean Ornish’s clinical study underwent any traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy in addition to their diet change. This indicates that a vegan diet and moderate exercise alone may be powerful enough to cure early stage prostate cancer.

While traditional treatments are still highly advisable for men with advanced stage prostate cancer, changing to a vegan diet can certainly assist these patients’ healing process.

By combining a vegan diet and regular exercise with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, advanced stage prostate cancer patients are more likely to realize an expedited and effective recovery.

Preventing the onset of prostate cancer

Perhaps the most interesting point derived from Dr. Dean Ornish’s ground breaking study is that a vegan diet may prevent the onset of prostate cancer. After all, prevention is unquestionably the best cure for any illness.

Diets high in animal fat have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer development while, conversely, diets high in fruits and vegetables have been linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer development. In other words, by disciplining themselves to consistently follow a vegan diet, men who have not yet been diagnosed with prostate cancer may be able to avoid this all too common diagnosis altogether.

An extreme step?

Unfortunately, for many men at high risk of developing prostate cancer, veganism seems like an extreme step to take for better health. Raised on meat heavy menus, most men cannot comprehend a life devoid of steaks, hamburgers, and hot dogs even though deleting these animal products from their diet will decrease their chance of getting prostate cancer by 80%.

Fortunately, there are a number of very convincing faux meat products on the market that may make veganism plausible, and even desirable, for some of these men.

Morningstar and Boca faux meat products are sold in most supermarkets in the US.

Prostate cancer is a serious disease that should be taken seriously and prevented. If you or someone you know has prostate cancer or is at high risk for developing this disease, veganism is a possible solution that should be explored.

Recommended Sites:

Gobble Green

GoVeganDiet

Article Sources:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/28979.php

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article555348.ece

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/prostatecancer/PCA_causes.html#diet

http://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/06/health/study-ties-prostate-deaths-to-animal-fat.html

Thanks to Jennifer Clary and the staff of Gobble Green.

Here is a very brief resume of other possible natural cures for prostate cancer. This is a very big subject and the information presented here is just a very brief overview.

If you are considering trying natural cures for prostate cancer please do your research thoroughly and always consult your health professionals before embarking upon any course of treatment.

Possible natural cures for prostate cancer?

Other possible natural cures for prostate cancer include energy medicines and nutritional therapy.

Of course, people promoting natural treatments rarely claim to be able to cure cancer, as individual cases may resist any treatments, both alternative and conventional.

There is some interest in saw palmetto (Serenoa serrulata) as a possible cure for prostate cancer. However, the evidence is far from established and indeed some doctors are concerned that its use may reduce PSA without destroying the cancer. Saw palmetto is often used for treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) i.e. non cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

See this article by physician Arnaldo F. Trabucco, M.D of St. Johns Hospital, Elmhurst, NY, for more about this possible cure for prostate cancer: Saw Palmetto Warning : Problems with Detecting Prostate Cancer?

Vitamins and antioxidants

Here are some details of clinical trials of vitamin E and carotene in relation to prostate cancer: WebHealth

Both nutrients showed a tendency to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer in men taking the supplements compared to control groups.

It is interesting to note that dairy consumption was also associated with a 50% increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

Lycopene and resveratrol have both received some attention as possible cures for prostate cancer - or as beneficial and preventative nutrients.

Lycopene is found in tomatoes in abundance and reservatrol is found in grape skins - and red wine. Both can be bought as supplements. Both are potent antioxidants.

This same page also indicates that low levels of selenium consumption may account for some cases of prostate cancer. Selenium is found in grains, fish and meat.

Saw palmetto is also a good natural source of vitamin A and selenium, as well as other nutrients such as zinc.

It is worth noting that all the nutritional elements mentioned above are all supplied abundantly by a good vegan diet or a diet rich in natural fruits, grains, seeds nuts and vegetables.

If you or anyone you know is affected by prostate cancer please take professional advice from your physician or other qualified health professionals.

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