Dietary supplements for prostate health

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. According to Cancer Research UK, a quarter of all new cases of male cancer are prostate cancer.

The condition is highly treatable if it is caught early. However for many men the standard treatments for prostate cancer - medication, radiation and surgery - often come with unwanted side effects.

Because of those side effects, some men wonder whether dietary supplements may be of benefit. Is it possible that remedies such as herbs and natural dietary supplements can help to treat prostate cancer? Can they act as “chemoprevention” - delaying the onset of prostate cancer or slowing down its progression? Can natural herbs and dietary supplements be used for other prostate problems? For example are there proven benefits in treating conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) or enlarged prostate?

Which men are at risk of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death by cancer in UK men, after lung cancer. It is thought that virtually all men with circulating androgens (male hormones) will develop microscopic prostate tumours if they live long enough. According to Cancer Research UK, post-mortem data suggest that around half of all men in their fifties have histological (microscopic) evidence of cancer in their prostate, a figure that rises to 80% in 80 years olds. However only one in 26 men (3.8%) will die from the disease.

How does diet affect prostate cancer?

Diet may account for about one-third of cancers of the prostate, large bowel and breast. All of these cancers are more common in the Western world than in Asian countries such as Japan and China. Although cancer is influenced by both hereditary and environmental factors, studies show that Japanese men and those who eat a vegetarian diet have the lowest rates of prostate cancer. One possible explanation is the low fat content of the Asian diet. Another possibility is that certain nutrients found in these diets may help to reduce the risk of cancer, but this is not proven.

It’s possible that a healthy diet with plenty of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables may help maintain good prostate health. The British Dietetic Association says: "Diet and obesity can play a role in the development of some cancers so the right diet can go a long way to prevent cancers developing." However there is no natural dietary supplement scientifically proven to treat prostate cancer.

If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, listen to your conventional medical doctor. Your doctor will guide your treatment regimen using the latest proven cancer treatments. Some herbs and dietary supplements  for prostate cancer may be harmful when used with standard cancer treatments. So always check with your healthcare provider before taking any natural herb or supplement. That way you can avoid any drug-herb interactions.