Is Your Vitamin E Supplement Shortchanging Your Prostate?
A recent study from one of the most respected medical schools in the United States shows that vitamin E can have dramatic protective effects against prostate cancer, but only if it is the right kind of vitamin E.
Vitamin E comes in several forms, and scientists have known this for decades, but the earliest research selectively focused on just one, called alpha-tocopherol. Consequently, when vitamin E supplements first became available, the alpha form was chosen, to the unfortunate exclusion of the others.
In nature, gamma-tocopherol is by far more common than the alpha form, and as with so many other areas in nutrition, we would be wise to follow nature in our vitamin E supplement choices, as the differences in effects between the alpha and gamma forms are nothing short of huge.
The powerful effects of gamma-tocopherol on the prostate were first brought to light in research conducted at Purdue University beginning in the late 1990’s. Researchers there, led by Qing Jiang, found that, at least in humans, gamma E was much more powerful in terms of countering inflammation.
Since the gamma E was found to be so good at controlling inflammation “known to be a key factor in cancer” researchers decided to find out if the gamma E could prevent prostate cancer. Their findings, and findings by other teams, including the new research out of Johns Hopkins, are revolutionary. What they have found is that gamma-tocopherol makes prostate cancer cells stop growing and die, but has no effects on normal tissue.
Based on our current knowledge of how prostate cancer gets a foothold, blocking these cells early
In men who have the highest levels of gamma E (the top 20%), the risk of prostate cancer drops by 80%. Informed readers know that no supplement is a “magic bullet” instead, many supplements, lifestyle and dietary factors play a role in any specific cancer prevention regime. But, this 80% reduction in prostate cancer incidence associated with gamma E means that this supplement should play a starring role in any prostate protection program.
It must be pointed out that gamma E works best when combined with all of the other forms of vitamin E, including the old standby, alpha-tocopherol. In nature, these molecules function together as a team. Likewise, the best vitamin E supplements contain all forms of vitamin E. That said, I recommend that consumers look for a supplement that contains the whole family, and a specified amount of gamma E. The one I take contains 300mg of gamma E.
What other supplements constitute a complete, prostate protection program?
Lycopene remains a mainstay for prostate disease prevention and treatment. You dona€™t have to take this as a supplement; in fact, getting it in its natural form, via tomatoes, is preferable. If you can find a way to get two, generous servings of tomato in your diet each day, you will be going a long way toward prevention of prostate disease, particularly prostate cancer.
If you choose to take a lycopene supplement, make sure it is a natural extract, rather than a synthetic form of lycopene. Why? Like vitamin E, lycopene is not a single, specific molecule; rather, it is a family of molecules. As we have seen with vitamin E, getting the whole family of lycopenes into our diet is much more powerful than just getting a single, artificially synthesized member of the group. 50-100mg per day of total lycopene intake is very good.
Fish oil is something I recommend to all my patients, and it turns out that yet another benefit (among legions of other benefits), is prevention of prostate cancer. 1-2 grams per day is an appropriate dose for this purpose. This is a very powerful preventive, and may be the single best protection I know of for this purpose.
Saw Palmetto has a long history of safe, effective use in the treatment of BPH (prostatic hypertrophy or enlargement). I believe it can be of benefit in men who have early BPH symptoms, such as getting up at night to urinate. For mild BPH symptoms, I recommend 320mg per day of a 90% Saw Palmetto extract. Believe it or not, Saw Palmetto seems to be about as effective as prescription hormone blockers, such as finasteride, but with few or no side effects
Beta Sitosterol is a plant a€?sterola€ (not a steroid!) that seems to have beneficial effects similar to Saw Palmetto. 180mg per day is effective in controlling or reducing the symptoms of prostate enlargement, and seems to protect against prostate cancer as well
Recently, a very exciting study showed that Saw Palmetto may prevent prostate cancer cells from multiplying. This will need to be confirmed in an a€?in vivoa€ study of real folks, but it is an exciting finding.
Selenium, a trace mineral that has been shown to protect against many kinds of cancer, can help prevent prostate cancer. I recommend 80-100mcg per day, for overall cancer prevention.
Modest soy consumption, of 10-20g of soy protein per day, has been shown to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer but the reasons are not yet clear. Soy is controversial for many, as it is now known that the large quantities consumed by many Americans may cause problems such as blocking absorption of certain nutrients in the intestine, and even hormonal effects. What is clear is that consumption of small amounts of soy “small portions of tofu, or very small amounts of soy yogurt or soy milk” are probably beneficial, especially for the prostate.
Finally, our “Star Vitamin” vitamin D has a big role to play in protection from prostate cancer. Recent studies show a strong, protective effect among men who have the highest levels of vitamin D. As I have said before, if you are not taking 2000-5000 units of vitamin D3 per day, you are doing yourself a big disservice. I take 5000 units per day, to protect my immune system, prevent heart attack and stroke, and prevent cancer.
A diet that emphasizes fresh vegetables, and avoids processed foods, trans fats, and emphasizes small, infrequent servings of red meat, clearly lowers risk of prostate cancer.
If you can add some or all of these measures to your daily regimen, you will be going a long way toward protecting your prostate from these all-too-common diseases, BPH and prostate cancer. Please remember, even the best preventive regimen is no substitute for annual prostate exams by a licensed health professional.
I hope to present updates on this very important subject of prostate cancer prevention. In the mean time, I wish you the best as you embark on your own program. Please let us know of your experiences.
Finally, I recommend that men, and those who care for them, read our article on testosterone and estrogen (Men, Have You Had Your Estrogen Checked), for more, actionable information on prostate protection and hormonal health.
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