Prostate cancer is a real threat to men above forty years. It is a life-threatening disease that most people would do anything within their powers to avoid. The good news is that there are several measures you can take to prevent and inhibit the cells from affecting your prostate glands, and in case of a positive diagnosis, there are also various alternative prostate cancer treatments if you don’t feel like going the conventional way of using radiation and chemotherapy treatments. In this piece, we highlight to you some of the natural ways you can use to not just prevent prostate cancer, but also kill the cells in case you are diagnosed with the condition.
AHCC mushroom extract
Active hexose correlated compound, AHCC, is a popular product marketed mainly for suffering from various forms of cancer, and not necessarily prostate cancer. It is a proprietary medicinal mushroom extract that has a myriad species of Basidiomycete mushrooms. In one of the studies where the extract was used as an alternative treatment for prostate cancer, it was discovered that the supplement prolonged the PSA doubling time. In addition to this, the supplement is also believed to enhance the general state of the immune system, thus bringing additional longevity to cancer patients.
Cayenne
Cayenne peppers or chili peppers are a great source of capsaicin – the hot spicy trademark of peppers. Several studies and lots of clinical trials have concluded that the substance also possesses prostate killing properties. In a study conducted in Spain, researchers found out that capsaicin caused the death of prostate cancer cells by increasing inducing processes associated with autophagy – the natural process by which cells self-destruct.
Another study conducted by the UCLA School of Medicine that the substance can hamper the growth of prostate cells. Taking a cayenne powder, is, therefore, a great way to get you’re a good dose of this substance into your body system. You can start by taking an eighth of a teaspoon daily, then increase the quantity gradually. But be sure to consult your doctor before you start in this treatment regime.
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are available in a wide variety, and their cancer-killing properties are not secret. This is why they get a lot of worthy mentions whenever alternative prostate cancer treatment and other therapies are mentioned. Vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, kales, and Brussel sprout among others are incredibly rich in a phytochemical known as DIM.
Several studies have shown that this substance can inhibit a particular enzyme usually associated with the growth of prostate cancer cells without having an impact on healthy cells. These vegetables are also rich in Indole-3-carbinol – another phytochemical that prevents the growth of cancer cells enhances apoptosis and prevents DNA from getting damaged. All these are subtle indications as to how cruciferous vegetables can be used to prevent prostate cancer as well as other types of cancer.
Curcumin
Curcumin is the bioactive ingredient found in turmeric – a spice that has been studied and used as a cancer remedy for many years. It has been established that curcumin uses several approaches in dealing with the cancerous cells. It can inhibit the spread of the cancer cells, reduce the expression of receptors responsible for sex hormones, and even induce the death of prostate cancer cells. These are some of the main reasons curcumin is listed as one of the alternative prostate cancer treatments. To get the most out of curcumin, simply add it to your foods, soups, and stews including smoothies, vegetables, and grains.
Ginger
The healing properties of ginger have never been doubted, but it is just a few years when its potency as one of the best alternative prostate cancer treatment and the treatment of other forms of cancers came to the attention of the scientists. In a study, researchers found that whole ginger extract was very powerful in managing prostate cancer.
In the study, it was observed that ginger inhibited cell life progression, promoted apoptosis, and also inhibited tumor and cancer cell growth in mice. Several studies and clinical trials done at later dates have so far supported these findings, including one done by University of Texas at Austin which concluded that ginger can reduce the survival and inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells, as well as inducing cell suicide in both mice and human prostate cancer cells.
Green Tea
Another highly talked about alternative prostate cancer treatment is green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols known as catechins which laboratory studies have shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In one of the studies, it was discovered that green tea had a 90% success rate in preventing prostate cancer among men above the age of 45 years. Other several studies have gone ahead to support the benefits of green tea not just inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells, but also reducing inflammation in the prostate, which then makes prostate cancer easy to treat and manage.
Omega-3
Coldwater fish such as salmon, tuna, herring, and sardines are known for being rich in omega-3 fatty acids. But most people are yet to know that these fatty acids are also vital in the prevention of prostate cancer. They may not necessarily be one of the best alternative prostate cancer treatments, but they are very effective in lowering the risks of prostate cancer. However, there are still mixed reaction on the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in the fight against cancer, since, some studies have supported the fact, while other studies have come up with completely conflicting results.
Pomegranate
Breaking and eating pomegranate may not be a walk in the park, but if you manage to access its goodies, then you will inject into your body a good dose of cancer-fighting chemicals. The fruit juice and extracts are believed to interfere with the normal growth of prostate cancer cells, thus reducing the spread of the cells. The fruit contains three main components – punicic acid, luteolin, and ellagic acid. Studies have shown that all these can stop the growth and the spread of prostate cancer cells in the body.