need advice on saw palmetto and others

Brokenone, I suppose it depends on what you're trying to resolve. However, there is some actual information that the supplement creators don't tell you. Such as:

Saw Palmetto works in many cases to reduce prostate swelling due to BPH (old man prostate swelling). However, it also suppresses PSA about 50%, so it can mask the PSA increase due to cancer. So of you are on saw palmetto and get a PSA screening test, double your reading.

Vitamin D has been implicated in increased rates of PC in some cases, as has selenium.

The reason you're not finding good info on supplements is because there is very little, and unscrupulous people can make a lot of money selling chemicals that don't work or may be harmful. The only supplement that there is reasonably positive good quality data on is sulforaphane (or just eat more broccoli).

Saw Palmetto doesn't even work for BPH, let alone prostate cancer.

/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28436684

Especially stay away from supplements containing Vitamin E - we know that it's bad for prostate cancer.

Brokenone,
go somewhere else to research what supplements work, this isn't a good place for that.

Halbert, by your post i take it that vitamin D can be linked to an increase in PSA? reason for my question is my husband had RP in 2914. he had a gleason score of 7 4+3 left base, 3+4 mid base and 3+4 apex. with multiple tumors on. left side. but dr said all contained to prostate. stage T2. his PSA was 5.8 pre surgery. 4 weeks post surgery psa went up to 1.43 at 6 wks it went up to1.5. so he had RT. PSA has been good up until this last week at a this 6 month PSA is at 4.89. he was put on prescription of Vit D for a few months and once that was over he has continued taking lower dose Vit D daily. i am just wondering (hoping) this is the reason for his increase in his PSA. i am unhappy with his urologist as he did not see the need for my husband to be referred to an oncologist at any time before or after surgery.

Supplements...... Gosh there are so many. Here is my few cents.
On 10/2014 when I was taking 10-12 oxy a day, gabapentin 600mg 3x a day, lidocaine 5% and using fentanyl pateches 50mcg/hr and baclofen, I started drinking a supernutritional drink from a company in St. Marys, Florida called Limu from The Limu company. I drink 12 ounces a day and have everyday since then. I also drink 12 ounces of a drink called moringa from a company called Zija from Utah. I believe our immune system works at keeping our blood and body clean of impurities and it fights inflammation. My bp is 118/74 Yes the companies are mlm but I dont care, Iam not looking to "build a business" Iam looking to survive for as long as I can. I no long take the gabe, baclofen, lidocaine, the patches and Iam down to 4-6 oxy a day.

When some here tell of selling chemicals, let me ask what the heck are the drugs we take? Are they not chemicals? Hey we all make our own decisions and I hope and pray we all live a long time with our choices. I also drink asparagus blended every am, lemon water and try to eat correctly. I will never criticize anyone fighting this fight in their OWN way, cancer sucks and IF we can find something that will physically and mentally help, why the heck not????? Sorry if I upset anyone I have no intention, never ever to do that. Iam just sayin'

My opinion is well known here. SNAKE OIL.

As both my long time family doctor and my urologist say, all you accomplish is expensive urine.

tommyc said...
So many false statements, in such a small number of posts....... I could absolutely positively prove beyond a shadow of doubt that I can cut my PSA 50% with supplements alone. .....

So many false statements? This must be a vast conspiracy against you by the cancer survivor veterans here on HW.

You might be missing the point that just because you can affect the PSA results with saw palmetto (or whatever) that will not indicate positively you do or do not have prostate cancer -or- taking it will lower the risk of getting prostate cancer. High PSA can be the result of factors other than prostate cancer.

Your best supplement is a balanced diet.

Well lets see

** - They are all snake oil
-- This is false, but generalizations can be fun. Its also pretty irresponsible on a site where some may really be struggling to find something to help them, when mainstream medicine may not be. As I said, if your situation is stable, awesome.

** - Some are just a scam.
-- Very true, many are, we all agree.

** - The only supplement that there is reasonably positive good quality data on is sulforaphane (or just eat more broccoli).
-- True and false, broccoli is awesome, the amount you need for therapeutic benefit can be high, and often more than - just eat more. "The only...", is false.

** - Man made supplements ... nah.
-- Most are extracts, no one made the broccoli in the supplements above or the sulforaphane.

** - Especially stay away from supplements containing Vitamin E - we know that it's bad for prostate cancer.
-- False, the SELECT study was flawed.

** - Some work for some guys.
-- True, we're all different.

** - The reason you're not finding good info on supplements is because there is very little
-- True, long term studies are difficult, funding is hard when there is no money to be made. This is no secret to anyone here.

** - there’s no evidence that any supplement can reverse the course of any chronic disease
-- Reverse is a pretty strong word, heart bypass, surgery, or chemo doesn't always reverse disease and there can be some side effects.

** - You might be missing the point that just because you can affect the PSA results with saw palmetto (or whatever) that will not indicate positively you do or do not have prostate cancer -or- taking it will lower the risk of getting prostate cancer.
-- I didn't miss any point, I don't take saw palmetto. Maybe you are missing my point?

** - https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/new-york-attorney-general-targets-supplements-at-major-retailers/
-- This is a major find, Walmart doesn't sell quality supplements??
Rule a thumb #1, don't get your supplements where you get you weed trimmer.
-- Rule of thumb #2, if you want a good weed trimmer, don't get your weed trimmer at Walmart either.

** - I think you get more by just focusing on a healthy life style - good diet with lots of fruits and veggies and cut back on dairy, red meats and of course proper exercise.
TRUE !!! The best advise yet, but for disease sometimes you may possibly need more.

Paxton said...
Do I make the popcorn now or later?

This will continue to be entertaining long into the next millenium. . .

Now, start the popcorn now.
Two full buckets, please.