Researchers are constantly studying vitamins and their relationships to treating and preventing prostate cancer.
Just last year, a study in the journal Science, showed pro-oxidant supplements suppressed cancer growth in not only mice but in more than 100 human cells.
That pro-oxidant, called menadione, is a precursor to vitamin K – a group of vitamins that support bone, cognitive and heart health, according to Medical News Today.
A pro-oxidant, according to the National Cancer Institute, is a “substance that can produce oxygen byproducts of metabolism that can cause damage to cells.” And pro-oxidant therapy, according to Science Direct, is a new field of cancer research that uses these substances to induce oxidative stress in cancer cells to destroy them.
But that research is just emerging.
As researchers learn about vitamins and their effects on prostate cancer, the experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami, a state-of-the-art radiation treatment center for prostate cancer, wanted to share the latest research on what vitamins may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and what ones may increase your risk.
Vitamins to Reduce Your Risk of Prostate Cancer
Vitamin D: Northwestern University researchers found that vitamin D deficiency was linked to aggressive prostate cancer. “Vitamin D deficiency could be a biomarker of advanced prostate tumor progression in large segments of the general population,” said Adam B. Murphy, lead author of the study. “More research is needed, but it would be wise for men to be screened for vitamin D deficiency and treated.”
On other hand, vitamin D helps with bone health, but there isn’t strong clinical evidence that taking extra vitamin D supports a healthy prostate.
Green Tea: Green tea is full of cancer-fighting antioxidants, and it may have a protective effect against heart disease and cancer, including prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute, so go ahead and drink green tea.
Lycopene: Lycopene is an antioxidant, and a pigment found in foods like tomatoes, watermelon, apricots, red oranges and pink grapefruit. Research from animal studies suggest lycopene may have a chemoprotective effect for some cancers like prostate cancer. But human studies are inconclusive.
Pomegranate Juice: Some research suggests drinking pomegranate juice slows down the progression of prostate cancer. But other studies suggest there are no benefits. In rodent models, the National Cancer Institute suggests pomegranate juice can slow the growth and spread of prostate cancer. But there is no decisive research on its benefits. In general, pomegranate juice is safe. But talk to your doctor. It may interfere with some medications.
Vitamins that Could Increase Your Risk of Prostate Cancer
Calcium: Too much calcium can increase your risk of prostate cancer, according to some studies. But there is no conclusive evidence. The National Cancer Institute says additional research is needed.
Selenium and Vitamin E: Selenium is a trace mineral, and vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in foods like almonds, olive oil, some dairy products, leafy greens and certain meats. A clinical trial started in 2001 called the SELECT trial looked at both selenium and vitamin E to help prevent prostate cancer. However, the opposite was found to be true, according to a 2014 Harvard Health article.
CyberKnife Therapy for Prostate Cancer
If you are concerned about your prostate health and the vitamins and supplements you take, talk to your doctor. If you have prostate cancer or have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, again talk to your doctor about vitamins and supplements you are taking and ones you could take.
And if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the experts at CyberKnife Miami can help guide you to the right treatment option for you.
CyberKnife is cutting-edge radiation technology also known as stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT. And it has a 98-percent success rate for the treatment of prostate cancer.
CyberKnife destroys prostate tumors with precision leaving the surrounding healthy tissue alone. That’s important because the prostate is close to several vital organs.Traditional treatments can be life-altering because they may interfere with urinary, bowel and sexual function. With CyberKnife, there are minimal side effects. Medication can help minimize these, and they usually go away in a few weeks.
If you would like to find out more about prostate cancer treatment with CyberKnife, call us now for a consultation at 305-279-2900 or go to our prostate cancer website for more information.