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Green Tea and Prostace Health |
New
research suggests that green tea may help prevent the
spread of prostate cancer. Specifically phytochemicals
in green tea, called polyphenols attack growth factors
and proteins, interrupting growth processes of tumors,
thus preventing them from spreading to other organs.
Since earlier studies suggests that the same natural
plant substances might also help prevent the start of
prostate cancer, researchers indicate that more studies
are needed on green tea’s affect on fighting this common
cancer. The best way to reduce your risk of prostate
cancer still lies in eating a mostly vegetarian diet.
Studies on diet and cancer also show that green tea when
tested with mice with an aggressive form of cancer can
decrease the spread or metastasis of prostate cancer to
liver, bone, and other parts of the body. Additional
study of green tea may help develop a treatment to
prevent the dormant, non threatening type of prostate
cancer many men have in their 70’s & 80’s from becoming
aggressive and fatal. Around six cups of green tea per
day would contain the equivalent amount of polyphenols
for individuals to help block the spread of cancer.
Other data shows that the phytochemicals in green tea
could inhibit the early phases of prostate cancer
development. |
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The phytochemicals seem to increase the
number of enzymes that help convert carcinogens to
dormant, harmless forms. Many questions remain about the
amount and frequency of green tea necessary to affect
the formation of prostate cancer. Black tea has shown
similar benefits to green tea, although they appear to
have lower levels of the beneficial substances than
green tea. Whatever the benefits of green tea, it would
be a mistake to rely on tea alone for prevention.
Studies suggest a variety of nutritional influences on
prostate cancer risk. The use of Vitamin E may offer
some protection. The antioxidant mineral selenium also
seems protective. Most Americans get adequate amounts of
selenium, but these studies used nutrition supplements,
so the study participants achieved higher intake levels.
It waits to be seen whether men can protect themselves
by taking supplements, including multivitamins, with
selenium. If total selenium intake exceeds 400 mcg per
day, nerve damage and other side effects can occur in
the individual.
Other good foods for natural nutrition are blueberries,
broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, flaxseed, soybeans,
and tomatoes. Cooked tomatoes are actually a far better
source than raw tomatoes because the cooking process
releases the lycopene from cells.
Improvements in treatment over the years have
significantly reduced the severity of side effects of
prostate cancer treatments. It is still important to
understand how and why these side effects occur, and to
how to minimize how they will affect daily life. There
are six major categories of side effects that are
normally associated with prostate cancer treatments:
urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, erectile
dysfunction, loss of fertility, effects due to the loss
of testosterone, and side effects of chemotherapy.
Depending on the treatment strategy pursued some or all
of these side effects might be present. It’s also
important to realize that not all these symptoms are
normal, and that some require immediate care. |
Urinary Dysfunction encompasses both urinary
incontinence, which can range from some leaking to
complete loss of bladder control, and irritative voiding
symptoms, including increased urinary frequency,
increased urinary urgency, and pain upon urination. For
men undergoing prostatectomy, incontinence is the main
urinary side effect. Bowel Dysfunction includes diarrhea,
rectal bleeding, and the inability to control bowel
movements. All of these side effects are more common
following external beam radiotherapy. During
prostatectomy, damage to the rectum is unusually rare,
and the bowel changes noticed in the first few weeks
following surgery are likely the result of the body
adjusting to the increased abdominal space due to the
loss of the prostate. Radiation therapy can cause
significant damage to the rectum, resulting in some or
all of the symptoms listed above.
Erectile Dysfunction is experienced by nearly all men
for the first few months after treatment. The reason for
this is simple: the nerves and blood vessels that
control the physical aspect of an erection are
incredibly delicate, and any trauma to the area will
unfortunately result in changes to the natural order.
Fertility is always a problem after prostate cancer
treatment. It is nearly impossible for a man to retain
his ability to father children through sexual
intercourse after the initial treatment. The loss of
semen following surgery makes ejaculation impossible, so
the sperm cannot physically leave the body to reach the
woman’s egg for fertilization.
Hormone Therapy side effects: Testosterone is the
primary male hormone. Side effects of testosterone loss
is lengthy and includes hot flashes, decreased sexual
desire, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis,
weight gain, decreased muscle mass, anemia, and memory
loss. Chemotherapy drugs available today work in a
slightly different fashion, and it’s hard to predict
what sorts of side effects any one person will
experience. Check with your doctor for reported side
effects for your treatment.
For more information visit:
http://www.prostacet.com/?aid=829107 |
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