Enlarged Prostate (BPH): Scientific Insights and Uncertainties
The pathophysiology of an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), has been extensively studied. According to research by Dr. Smith et al. (2018), the growth of prostatic tissue is influenced by hormonal changes, primarily an increase in dihydrotestosterone. This hormone prompts the proliferation of epithelial and stromal cells, leading to the enlargement of the prostate gland. While this mechanism is well-established, addressing the condition poses challenges due to the intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
Despite advancements in medical science, the treatment options for an enlarged prostate remain diverse, with varying degrees of efficacy. Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are commonly prescribed to alleviate symptoms, as outlined in the Cochrane Review of Prostate Drugs (2021). However, the long-term impact and potential side effects of these medications are still under scrutiny. Additionally, surgical interventions like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) have shown effectiveness, but concerns regarding postoperative complications persist. This uncertainty stems from the lack of universally applicable solutions, highlighting the need for personalized medicine in BPH management.
The prevention strategies for an enlarged prostate are equally complex. Some studies suggest a correlation between diet and BPH risk, emphasizing the role of a balanced, low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables (Parsons et al., 2020). However, the heterogeneous nature of BPH etiology makes it challenging to establish a one-size-fits-all preventive approach. Genetic predisposition, hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle factors all contribute to the development of an enlarged prostate, making it essential to consider individualized preventive measures.
Implications and Recommendations: Navigating the BPH Landscape
The uncertainties surrounding BPH research necessitate a holistic approach to its understanding and management. Healthcare professionals should emphasize individualized treatment plans, considering patients’ genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and specific symptoms. Furthermore, continued research collaboration is imperative to unveil more targeted therapeutic strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of the condition’s intricacies.
As we navigate the scientific landscape of an enlarged prostate, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed and engaged in their healthcare journey. Regular check-ups, awareness of familial medical history, and lifestyle modifications aligned with current scientific recommendations can collectively contribute to proactive BPH management. Let us empower ourselves with knowledge and advocate for a more personalized and effective approach to tackle the uncertainties surrounding benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and fifth leading cause of death in men. Diet, lifestyle, environment, and genetics are all regarded as risk factors for this deadly disease. Understanding it, and identifying warning signs early are key to controlling—and even reversing—its progression.
Men who suffer from an enlarged prostate gland often experience frustrating and uncomfortable urinary symptoms and sexual difficulties. An overaccumulation of androgens (sex hormones) can promote the unbridled growth of cells in the prostate gland, increasing its size and causing it to block the bladder’s flow of urine. Prostate obstruction can be a result of benign prostatic enlargement (BPH) or prostatic cancer. Although it is quite common among older men, the good news is that the condition is avoidable and even reversible.
Take Skip Stein for example. I recently interviewed this 15+ year cancer survivor who was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2010 and was told he had three years to live. Skip describes how he went on his “Last Hurrah” trip across the United States with his wife and came home free of cancer. How did he do it? He describes in this video interview why one of the first things he did was to throw out all the food in their house that wasn’t plant-based, and how they began sourcing fresh, whole foods at their local farmer’s markets.
Skip and his wife learned about the virtues of a whole-food, plant-based diet—The Gerson Miracle—from the PBS series titled The Incurables. They also found a book called, “A Thousand Vegan Recipes” by Robin Robertson—and cooked all 1,000 of them! His inspirational story continues to influence millions of people around the world.
Which Diet Is Best?
One thing I learned on my personal journey back to health is that the diet that got me well was not the diet that kept me well. That said, when you are in the throes of a knock-down, drag-out fight against cancer, you first have to drastically change your ways—and that includes your diet. Your body desperately needs all the help it can get, and a diet free of as many toxins and commercially prepared foods as possible can be a lifesaver. Strategically chosen herbs and supplements can also be enormously beneficial.
Natural remedies for an uncomfortably enlarged prostate include:
Saw Palmetto: The berries of the saw palmetto palm were used by Native Americans as both food and medicine. These berries were commonly used to treat urinary tract problems, as well as to boost libido and increase the production of sperm (source: Mount Sinai). Today, saw palmetto is a popular natural remedy for enlargement of the prostate gland, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce the levels of Dihydrotestosterone are credited for its role in reducing prostate enlargement (and hair loss) and may aid in the prevention of prostate cancer.
Lycopene: A study published in Medicine (Baltimore), indicated that lycopene is an antioxidant agent with potential anticancer properties. Lycopene is the pigment that makes tomatoes and watermelon red, carrots and apricots orange, and gives certain other fruits and vegetables their deep, rich color. In fact, the deeper the color of a pink or red fruit or vegetable, the higher its lycopene content. Tomatoes which are rich in lycopene, are particularly recommended for the prevention of prostate cancer, as cited in the aforementioned study.
Green Tea: With its high levels of antioxidants and ability to fortify the body’s immune system and inhibit the growth of cancer cells, green tea is a winner for fighting all kinds of cancer, including prostate cancer. According to research published in Life Sciences, a compound in green tea known as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is the mechanism that supports the inhibition of cancer cell growth. You can learn more about the benefits of EGCG in my book, “I Used to Have Cancer.”
Zinc: Research published in Frontiers in Oncology found that a chronic zinc deficiency may increase the likelihood of BPH and prostate cancer in men over 50 years. Zinc is an essential mineral for older adults. You’ll find it in poultry, seafood, eggs, avocados, pomegranate, blackberries, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food. Because your body doesn’t store zinc, you should eat enough every day to meet daily requirements.
Cranberries: The results of a study of 777 men diagnosed with prostate cancer (published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, November 2016) should have men rushing to the produce department! Researchers proved that participants who consumed more fruits and vegetables had a higher survival probability at the 15-year mark. Cranberries, in particular, are brimming with phytonutrients and extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties. Two particular proanthocyanidins from cranberries (and also grape seeds) are toxic to tumor cells. In addition, one flavonol, quercetin, has been linked with the prevention of prostate cancer—and cranberries are one of the best food sources of this compound (source: An Apple or Cranberry a Day Keeps Prostate Cancer Away).
Ann Louise Gittleman has written extensively about the virtues of cranberries for a variety of issues, including weight loss, detoxification, and more. Check out her article, “Protecting the Health of the Prostate” and learn why there’s so much more you can do to protect the health of your prostate than just getting an annual blood test.
When advancing age and a few bad daily habits combine, it sets the stage for the development of prostatitis and even prostate cancer.
The prostate—a vital organ unique to men—is often regarded as a man’s “life gland.” The health of the prostate is not only a symbol of men’s virility but also important for their health. When advanced age and a few bad daily habits combine, it sets the stage for the development of prostatitis and even prostate cancer. The early symptom of prostatitis is frequent urination, which is as inconvenient as it is worrisome.
A male friend of mine suffers from prostatic hypertrophy and chronic prostatitis and has to visit the bathroom every 20 or 30 minutes. This was highly disruptive to his work and daily life, and he felt pretty embarrassed.
Those who already suffer from prostate disease should receive treatment as soon as possible, and healthy men should nip it in the bud.
Role of the Prostate
The prostate is a small gland that’s part of the male reproductive anatomy and is responsible for the secretion of semen (prostatic fluid). The testicles produce sperm, while the prostate produces semen. The prostate, therefore, plays a crucial role in ensuring normal sperm function and maintaining human fertility.
In addition, the prostate secretes prostaglandins to prevent prostate enlargement. The prostate surrounds the male urethra, and if it grows too big, it may irritate or compress the urethra, leading to frequent urination, urinary retention, and other complications. I once met a patient in his 80s who had great difficulty urinating and needed to self-catheterize every time. Young males may not think about this kind of problem, but if you don’t start protecting your prostate early, once you develop a prostate condition, the problem will become more serious as you age.
7 Foods to Nurture Prostate Health
Studies show that persistent aerobic exercise can reduce the likelihood of prostate cancer recurrence or death by nearly 70 percent. At the same time, changing lifestyle habits can also effectively reduce the risk of prostate disease. Let us now focus on the seven dietary priorities beneficial to prostate health.
1. Water
Drinking water can help remove gunk and toxins from our bodies. In addition, it dilutes the urine, making it less likely that it will irritate the urethra, which can happen if the urine is very thick and contains a lot of waste. In addition, the prostate needs sufficient water to produce semen. However, if you have symptoms of frequent urination due to prostate problems, you should adjust the amount of water that you drink according to your situation.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene. Lycopene is also found in various red fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, and peppers, but tomatoes stand out because they possess the highest amount.
Lycopene is an antioxidant that can remove excess free radicals in the body, thereby reducing the damage they cause. It’s therefore especially important for the prevention of prostatitis and prostate cancer.
A study from Harvard University found that a diet high in lycopene was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. There are also studies showing that cancer patients have less lycopene in their blood and tissues than those without cancer.
Moreover, lycopene is more easily absorbed after being heated, so if you want to eat tomatoes, it’s best to eat them cooked. Of course, if you seldom eat tomatoes, you can also take lycopene supplements.
3. Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale, contain glucosinolates, which help inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Scientists once conducted a study on the health of 11,405 men over 9.4 years. Results indicated an inverse relationship between glucosinolate intake and prostate cancer risk. In other words, more glucosinolate was associated with lower cancer risk.
However, it’s worth noting that, unlike lycopene, glucosinolates are easily broken down after over-processing. Therefore, cruciferous vegetables are best washed and eaten raw or lightly steamed to preserve their nutrients.
If you need more glucosinolates, consider taking supplements. The dosage of glucosinolate supplements usually ranges from 20 to 100 milligrams, depending on individual needs.
4. Healthy Fats
Healthy fats contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as animal fatty acids in fish and plant fatty acids in avocados and olives. Animal experiments and clinical intervention studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties and help manage inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Therefore, omega-3 fatty acids can prevent chronic prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy, and prostate cancer.
5. Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins, which have potent antioxidant effects and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men. Studies have found that catechins can drain excess free radicals in the body, reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and benefit prostate health.
6. Soybeans
Soy isoflavones are important biochemical constituents in soybeans and have certain phytoestrogenic effects, but this effect doesn’t appear to affect male sexual development or sexual function. It can, however, help regulate hormonal balance in the body and contribute to prostate health. Soy foods also contain other antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, making them great for those suffering from prostate problems.
7. Curcumin
Curcumin, the key bioactive compound in turmeric, has potent anti-inflammatory properties. It’s highly effective against prostatitis. It can also reduce the risk of prostate cancer and inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells. Curcumin supplement dosages typically range from 500 to 2,000 milligrams, depending on individual body constitution and tolerance.
However, the human body’s absorption rate of curcumin isn’t that good in general. A more effective way is to take it with black pepper, which can improve the absorption rate. For this reason, some manufacturers combine these two nutrients.
In addition to consuming the above seven foods, avoid eating processed foods or excessive added sugars, red meat, and dairy products to better maintain men’s prostate health.
In the landscape of male cancers, prostate cancer looms large, ranking as the second most common cancer after skin malignancies among American men. The American Cancer Society’s projections for 2023 paint a stark picture, with approximately 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer and about 34,700 deaths attributed to the disease.
While the incidence of prostate cancer saw a significant decline between 2007 and 2014, reflecting changes in screening recommendations, a recent shift has emerged. Since 2014, the overall incidence rate has risen by 3% per year, with an even more notable 5% annual increase in advanced-stage prostate cancer cases. This nuanced scenario sets the stage for exploring proactive strategies, with recent studies spotlighting zinc as a potential guardian against this prevalent disease.
Elevating health defenses against prostate woes
Long heralded for its integral role in immune function and cellular metabolism, this trace mineral has been a stalwart ally in maintaining health. Traditionally, the recommended daily intake for men has stood at 11 mg, sourced from either dietary choices or supplements. Yet, recent research unveils a tantalizing prospect: a higher daily zinc dosage might wield the ability to quell prostate tumors, act as a preventive shield against cancer, and fortify defenses against advanced prostate disease.
Crucial to note is the revelation that zinc levels are notably lower in cancerous prostate tissue, adding a layer of significance to the mineral’s potential role in prostate health.
Prostate tissues boast higher concentrations of zinc than any other part of the body, with approximately 10 to 15 times the amount found elsewhere. This revelation fuels the emerging narrative that a strategic elevation in zinc intake could be a game-changer in the fight against prostate-related health concerns.
What does science have to say about zinc?
Researchers have long suspected that zinc offers at least some protection against prostate cancer, and now science is backing them up. Studies suggest that high concentrations of zinc can cause apoptosis of damaged prostate cells that could otherwise turn cancerous.
Researchers also found that zinc actually alters the biological makeup of prostate cells, significantly reducing the chance of malignancy. Conversely, researchers examining existing prostate cancer cells find that zinc levels are lower in malignant cells than in non-cancerous prostate cells.
How to use zinc to keep cancer away
The benefits of zinc can be achieved by taking the mineral as a dietary supplement or by consuming it through one of several food sources. Oysters are perhaps the highest food source for zinc, with 74 mg per serving. Grass-fed beef is next, followed by baked beans, and yogurt (preferably of organic varieties).
It is important to note that taking too much zinc is not only non-beneficial, but it can also have a harmful effect on a person’s health and immune system. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that consuming zinc in amounts of 150 mg per day or more actually increased a man’s risk of developing advanced prostate cancer.
Naturally, if you’re dealing with a cancer diagnosis – seek the advice of a trusted, holistic medical professional.
Dr. Andrew Correa, assistant professor in the Department of Urology, one of the head clinicians of the trial.
PHILADELPHIA (February 22, 2023)—Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have begun recruiting for a clinical trial called PRESERVE that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the NanoKnife System to destroy prostate cancer cells. One of the measurements of treatment effectiveness is to assess the number of subjects that were able to avoid surgery to completely remove the prostate.
NanoKnife is a focal therapy, a form of treatment that is typically considered less invasive and that can eliminate cancer cells through different forms of energy such as heat and cold, all while sparing normal cells.
“I think this technology is the future, and I’m hoping that in 10 to 15 years I’ll be doing surgery to remove the prostate in a very limited number of patients. Those types of procedures really affect a patient’s quality of life, and if we can avoid that it would be ideal,” said Andres Correa, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Urology and one of the clinicians heading the trial.
“NanoKnife is a technology that uses electricity to create a very high voltage between two probes. The lesion that has been identified and biopsied beforehand is placed between these probes and the electricity disrupts the integrity of cells, what we call the cell membrane. That’s how the cancer is affected,” he said.
PRESERVE, which stands for Pivotal Study of the NanoKnife System for the Ablation of Prostate Tissue, is being conducted with several other sites in the United States, but Fox Chase is the only site in Pennsylvania.
Participation in the NanoKnife research study would be an addition to the two types of focal therapy that Fox Chase already offers to treat prostate cancer. The first of these is cryoablation, in which a needle probe is used to freeze and kill diseased prostate tissue. The second is high-intensity focused ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create heat that destroys diseased tissue.
For the new study, researchers are recruiting up to 118 subjects who will be treated with NanoKnife and standard care. They will be observed closely through prostate specific antigen (PSA) scores, MRIs, and biopsies for 12 months and will be followed for up to five years to monitor whether cancer returns after treatment. Correa will be conducting the Fox Chase arm of the trial with David Chen, MD, FACS, a professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology.
Chen said that historically prostate cancer has been overtreated, often favoring aggressive therapies like surgery or radiation for individuals who may not necessarily need them. With the PRESERVE trial, they hope to provide conclusive evidence that the NanoKnife System is best suited for these “in-between” patients.
“This technology fills a role for men who may need some treatment but for whom the traditional treatment is probably too much and can cause worse side effects or possible complications. It’s an intermediate step that allows us to do something about the cancer while not subjecting these men to the same sort of radical treatment that we historically felt was needed,” said Chen.
“We’re excited about the expected role of NanoKnife in this application, and we recognize that there are probably other types of devices that may come in the future,” he said.
Correa added that the PRESERVE trial will also help researchers and clinicians better understand how therapies will evolve over time and impact cancer recurrences and quality of life.
NRG Oncology Phase III clinical trial, NRG-GY018, evaluating pembrolizumab in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) met its primary endpoint of progression free survival (PFS) for the treatment of patients with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial carcinoma, regardless of mismatch repair status. A pre-specified interim analysis, conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, demonstrates that pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy has a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with chemotherapy alone in both study cohorts, mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) and mismatch repair proficient (pMMR). The full results of this trial will be presented at an upcoming scientific conference.
NRG-GY018, a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study, accrued 819 women with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial cancer. Two independent cohorts were evaluated, patients with endometrial cancers that are dMMR and patients with endometrial cancers that are pMMR. Patients were randomly assigned to receive pembrolizumab combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel (for a planned six, 3-week cycles), followed by pembrolizumab maintenance (for up to fourteen, 6 week cycles) or placebo combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by placebo maintenance.
Patients with advanced stage or recurrent endometrial cancer, the most common type of gynecologic cancer in the U.S., face a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. This is particularly notable in patients who progress after prior platinum-based adjuvant therapy with disease not amenable to curative surgery or radiation. In this study, pembrolizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS in both the dMMR and pMMR study populations. We look forward to presenting these exciting findings at an upcoming scientific congress.”
Ramez Eskander, MD, of the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center and the Principal Investigator of the NRG-GY018 trial
This project was supported by the NRG Oncology Operations grant U10CA180868 and the NRG Oncology SDMC grant U10CA180822 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health and conducted by the NCI National Clinical Trials Network. Funding and support were also received from Merck & Co., Inc. through a Cooperative Research and Developmental Agreement with NCI. NRG-GY018 was conducted with funding supplemental to the CRADA from Merck in an Agreement between Merck and The GOG Foundation d/b/a NRG Oncology Philadelphia East.
Prostate, which remains stable after birth; It grows with the change in hormonal structure in adolescence and reaches its normal size by the age of 20. The prostate, which remains at its normal size between the ages of 20 and 40, grows again after the age of 40. This second growth, which is an undesirable growth, occurs with the contribution of changing hormonal structure and genetic background.
The most common diseases of the prostate are BPH (benign enlargement of the prostate), prostate cancer and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). These three diseases can cause urinary discomfort such as night urination, frequent urination, burning when urinating, inability to empty completely. Rarely, it can cause bleeding or ejaculation problems. BPH (benign enlargement of the prostate) and prostate cancer are seen in the age group over 40, while prostatitis is the disease of younger men.
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most used parameter in the diagnosis of prostate diseases. PSA, a protein produced only by the prostate in the body, increases as it enters the blood during prostate disease. Therefore, any deterioration that may occur in the prostate tissue causes an increase in PSA. These include inflammation of the prostate, prostate cancer, and benign enlargement of the prostate.
As the world’s population ages, the number of people who will need treatment for prostate disease will increase. Benign prostate enlargement is present in 75% of 80-year-old men. If we have discomfort in the urinary tract, we should consult a urologist. If we have a first-degree relative with prostate disease in the family, we should have a prostate check every year from the age of 40, or from the age of 50.
Apart from this, the Mediterranean diet, high consumption of red vegetables and fruits, and adequate intake of vitamin D contain protective characteristics for prostate diseases.
There are many treatment alternatives for prostate diseases. Lifestyle regulation, if necessary, drug therapy is one of the simplest and primary methods of treatment. Apart from this, prostate operations can be performed with methods such as high-energy laser systems (such as green light), high-frequency sound waves (HIFU), and cryotherapy in light of new technological developments. In the treatment of prostate cancer, the chances of success have increased considerably with the use of new drugs and especially robotic systems.
Today, with the widespread use of the Internet, it has become very easy to access information. At the same time, a lot of inaccurate and unverified information creates confusion. I will summarize some of them; Standing or sitting urination makes no difference to the prostate. No relationship was found between the frequency of sexual intercourse and prostate diseases. Prostate diseases can be seen even without urinary discomfort.
The prostate is a disease whose symptoms can be reduced through the use of medicinal plants. Beneficial plants for the prostate:
1) Saw Palmetto
The plant, which is a species of palm tree and known as saw palmetto, is one of the most widely used herbal remedies in prostate treatment.
Saw palmetto, found in medicines or capsules prepared for prostate enlargement, has a particularly reducing effect on urination.
2) broccoli
Prostate cure prepared with broccoli helps reduce symptoms.
250 grams of broccoli are thrown into 1 liter of boiling water and boiled for 5-6 minutes.
Boiled broccoli is filtered.
Filtered water is divided into three parts and consumed on an empty stomach in the morning, at noon and in the evening.
Leftover broccoli can also be eaten in salads.
It is recommended to eat at least half an hour after consuming the broccoli cure.
3) St. John’s Wort
Approximately 500 grams of St. John’s wort is poured into 8 liters of boiling water and boiled for 40 minutes.
The boiling mixture is filtered and consumed on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
4) Prostate Tea
The tea is made from herbs such as horse chestnut, thuja leaves, juniper seeds, unopened cypress cones, grass root, parsley, nettle, and mistletoe.
You can drink 4-5 glasses a day on an empty stomach before meals.
5) green tea
Green tea, which has been consumed as a source of antioxidants for 5,000 years, accelerates the elimination of toxins and harmful substances in the body.
Green tea, which prevents the formation of kidney stones and heart disease, greatly reduces and prevents the effects of this disease when consumed by people diagnosed with prostate.
6) Pomegranate
In addition to magnesium, potassium, folate, and especially B vitamins, pomegranates are the richest source of antioxidants you can eat.
Pomegranate, which increases the quality and quantity of sperm for male reproductive health, also prevents the spread of cells that cause prostate cancer.
7) Garlic
The most important mineral that stops the prostate is selenium. Consuming garlic, which is a source of selenium, is one of the most effective ways to fight prostate cancer.
You can benefit from its antibiotic and antioxidant properties by consuming plenty fresh, in tea, or cooked.
8) Tomato
Studies have shown that people who consume tomatoes regularly are less likely to develop prostate disease.
Thanks to its lycopene and antioxidant content, consuming tomatoes, especially in season and unpeeled, is a good option for prostate treatment.
9) Pumpkin Seeds
Consuming 1 handful of pumpkin seeds a day will satisfy your body’s needs for magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc.
It is good for many ailments like parasites, reproductive health, hemorrhoids, prostate, cardiovascular health.
10) Walnuts
Hazelnuts, which are a storehouse full of vitamin E, magnesium, protein, iron, phosphorous and selenium, should be consumed by patients diagnosed with prostate.
In addition to prostate cancer, it protects the muscle and bone structure, reduces bad cholesterol, strengthens the immune system.
You better think twice about grabbing that carton of pasteurized milk during your next grocery trip. A study recently conducted by Harvard University showed that pasteurized milk products from factory farms may cause hormone-dependent cancers. Apparently, the concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) model of raising cows on factory farms churns out milk with dangerously high levels of estrone sulfate, an estrogen compound linked to testicular, prostate and breast cancers.
Dr. Ganmaa Davaasambuu and her colleagues specifically identified “milk from modern dairy farms” as the culprit, referring to large-scale confinement operations that milk cows 300 days a year, even while the animals are pregnant. Compared to raw milk extracted only during the first six months after a cow’s pregnancy, pasteurized factory milk was found to contain up to 33 times more estrone sulfate.
Evaluating data from all over the world, Dr. Davaasambuu and her colleagues identified a clear link between consumption of such high-hormone milk, and high rates ofhormone-dependent cancers. In other words, contrary to what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that catchy milk advertisement would have you believe, drinking processed milk is not good for your health.
Don’t be fooled by Big Dairy and mainstream media’s colorful lies. Take a stand against the multimillion dollar dairy industry and keep yourself informed; always choose raw, organic milk from grass-fed cows instead of milk produced by industrial dairies. If you remain unconvinced by Dr. Davaasambuu’s Harvard study, there is a wealth of information on the health benefits of raw milk available at alternative news websites, such asNatural News.
Always choose clean, organic food. Raw, organic milk has long been proven to improve digestion, heal autoimmune disorders and boost overall immunity. Why choose the cancer-causing route when you can have this instead?
If you are struggling with urinary incontinence or your existing incontinence is getting worse, take a look at the medications you are taking. They may contribute to the problem.
There are four groups of medications doctors commonly recommend that can cause or increase incontinence. If you are taking any of these, you should let your doctor know about your incontinence and discuss your medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) to see if there is another approach to control or eliminate the problem.
The most common incontinence problems arise from medications in the following four categories:
1. Diuretics to reduce excess fluid
Diuretics, also known as “water pills,” stimulate the kidneys to expel unneeded water and salt from your tissues and bloodstream into the urine. Getting rid of excess fluid makes it easier for your heart to pump. There are a number of diuretic drugs, but one of the most common is furosemide (Lasix®).
According to urologist Raymond Rackley, MD, approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers from overactive bladder symptoms.
“Many of those patients also have high blood pressure or vascular conditions, such as swelling of the feet or ankles,” he says. “These conditions are often treated with diuretic therapies that make their bladder condition worse in terms of urgency and frequency.”
A first step is to make sure you are following your doctor’s prescription instructions exactly. As an alternative to water pills, Dr. Rackley recommends restricting salt in your diet and exercising for weight loss. Both of these can reduce salt retention and hypertension naturally.
2. Alpha blockers for hypertension
Another class of drugs used to reduce high blood pressure or hypertension by dilating your blood vessels can also cause problems. These medicines are known as alpha blockers. Some of the most common are Cardura®, Minipress® and Hytrin®.
These are usually more of an issue for women. Again, discuss this with your physician, because there are alternative drugs you may be able to take.
Men typically take these to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) which can restrict urination by putting pressure on the urethra. By relaxing the muscles in the bladder neck, they allow smoother urine flow for those patients.
3. Antidepressants and narcotic pain relievers
Some antidepressants and pain medications can prevent the bladder from contracting completely so that it does not empty. That gives rise to urgency or frequency or voiding dysfunction. They can also decrease your awareness of the need to void.
“Some of these drugs can also cause constipation,” Dr. Rackley says. “Constipation, in turn, can cause indirect bladder incontinence because being constipated takes up more room in the pelvis that the bladder needs to expand.”
4. Sedatives and sleeping pills
Using sedatives and sleeping pills can present a problem, especially if you already have incontinence. They can decrease your awareness of the need to void while you are sleeping.
The best way to address this situation, Dr. Rackley says, is to take other steps to relax and improve your sleep. Getting more exercise to make you tired, for example, can help. It’s also important to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule. Dr. Rackley says finding other ways to relax before bed — meditation, reading a book or listening to soothing music or sound effects (e.g., rain or waves) — can also help you sleep better.
A new optical sensor created at MIT tracks zinc within cells and should help researchers learn more about its functions. The sensor, which can be targeted to a specific organelle within the cell, fluoresces when it binds to zinc, allowing scientists to determine where the metal is concentrated.
The MIT chemists who designed the sensor have already used it to shed light on why zinc levels, normally high in the prostate, drop dramatically in cancerous prostate cells.
“We can use these tools to study zinc trafficking within prostate cells, both healthy and diseased. By doing so we’re trying to gain insight into how zinc levels within the cell change during the progression of prostate cancer,” says Robert Radford, an MIT postdoc who led the project and who is an author of the paper describing the sensors, which appears in the Dec. 9 issue of theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Radford works in the lab of Stephen Lippard, the Arthur Amos Noyes Professor of Chemistry and senior author of the paper. The paper’s lead author is Wen Chyan, a 2013 MIT graduate.
Researchers in Lippard’s lab are now working on exploiting similar fluorescent sensors to develop a diagnostic test for early detection of prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, but is considered very treatable if caught early enough.
Pathway to cancer
Among its known roles, zinc helps to stabilize protein structure and catalyzes some cellular reactions. In the prostate, zinc is believed to help with reproductive functions by aiding in the accumulation of citrate, a component of semen. Within mitochondria of epithelial prostate cells, zinc has been shown to inhibit the metabolic enzyme aconitase. By blocking the activity of aconitase, zinc truncates the citric acid cycle, the series of reactions that produce ATP, the cells’ major energy currency.
Scientists have theorized that when prostate cells become cancerous, they banish zinc from mitochondria (the cell structures where most ATP production occurs). This allows the cancer cell to produce the extra energy it needs to grow and divide.
“If a cell is dividing uncontrollably and it needs a lot of chemical energy, then it definitely wouldn’t want zinc interfering with aconitase and preventing production of more ATP,” Radford says.
The new MIT study supports this theory by showing that, although cancerous prostate cells can absorb zinc, the metal does not accumulate in the mitochondria, as it does in normal prostate cells.
This finding suggests that, in normal cells, zinc is probably transported into mitochondria by a specialized transport protein, but such a protein has not been identified, Radford says. In cancer cells, this protein might be inactivated.
Follow the zinc
The new zinc sensor relies on a molecule that Lippard’s lab first developed more than 10 years ago, known as Zinpyr1 (ZP1). ZP1 is based on a dye known as fluorescein, but it is modified to fluoresce only when it binds to zinc.
The ZP1 sensor can simply be added to a dish of cells grown in the lab, where it will diffuse into the cells. Until now, a major drawback of the sensor was the difficulty in targeting specific structures within a cell. “We have had some success using proteins and peptides to target small molecule zinc sensors,” Radford says, “but most of the time the sensors get captured in acidic vesicles within the cell and become inactive.”
Lippard’s team overcame that obstacle by making two changes: First, they installed a zinc-reactive protecting group, which altered the physical properties of the sensor and made it easier to target. Second, they attached an “address tag” that directs ZP1 into mitochondria. This tag, which is a derivative of triphenylphosphonium, is tailored to enter the mitochondria because it is both positively charged and hydrophobic. The resulting sensor readily entered cells and allowed the researchers to visualize pools of mobile zinc within mitochondria.
“This is an exciting new concept for sensing using a combination of reaction- and recognition-based approaches, which has potential applications for diagnostics involving zinc misregulation,” says Christopher Chang, a professor of chemistry and molecular and cell biology at the University of California at Berkeley who was not part of the research team.
In future studies, the researchers plan to expand their strategy to create a palette of sensors that target many other organelles in the cell.
“The identification of intracellular targets for mobile zinc is an important step in understanding its true function in biological signaling. The next steps will involve discovery of the specific biochemical pathways that are affected by zinc binding to receptors in the organelles, such as proteins, and elucidating the structural and attendant functional changes that occur in the process,” Lippard says.
The lab’s immediate interest is study of zinc in the brain, where it is believed to act as a neurotransmitter. By understanding mobile zinc in the auditory cortex, optic nerve, and olfactory bulb, the researchers hope to figure out its role in the senses of hearing, sight, and smell.
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