Chemical Prevention Of Prostate Cancer

Chemical Prevention Of Prostate Cancer

Referred to here are not only drugs but also quite normal substances in our food. In the trade press , two new products are the same published that deal with the question whether it is possible to prevent the occurrence of prostate cancer with such substances .

For decades, it is known that prostate cancer in Western countries happens more frequently than for example in Asia. In addition to hereditary factors here seem to play an important role environmental factors, especially diet. Because when Asians emigrate to Western countries , the risk of their male descendants rises after a few generations on the conditions there .

Have been and are numerous studies carried out with the goal of one day being able to recommend specific diets , dietary supplements or drugs for the prevention of prostate cancer. So far, it seems that especially phytonutrients such as carotenoids and phytoestrogens , vitamins D and E, the trace element selenium, omega-3 fatty acids and 5α - reductase inhibitors have a positive effect .

5α - reductase inhibitors inhibit the enzyme 5α - reductase, which converts the male sex hormone testosterone into its biologically active form , dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In addition to phytoestrogens so do the two active ingredients finasteride and dutasteride , which are already used in medicine for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). They are so interesting for researchers , because prostate cancer as a function of male sex hormones to grow and because the 5α - reductase activity in the prostate is particularly low in Japanese, in which the prostate cancer worldwide occur least often .From the study results, first , tentative recommendations derived from this , switch the diet on an Asian or Mediterranean diet . Especially valuable are soybeans ( phytoestrogens ) , tomatoes ( lycopene, a carotenoid ) and other vegetables , vegetable oils (vitamin E ), fruit and fish (omega -3 fatty acids , vitamin D, selenium) . Besides the fact that these diets , for example, are also valid for other reasons because of their fiber content as well.

In contrast, neither a preventive administration of 5α - reductase inhibitors have a long-lasting , increased artificial feeding ( supplementation ) of the said food components currently be recommended.

These results need to be confirmed , and it has to answer unresolved questions a lot. For example, to possible adverse effects such as the promotion of other forms of cancer. In addition, the change in diet seems to be more effective than supplementation in addition to the usual food , perhaps because of other , yet unknown ingredients.