Tuesday, December 30, 2008

What You Need To Know On Prostate Vitamins

By Clare Wabz

If you've ever had the faintest concern about your prostate and the possibility of cancer, you've probably turned to the internet to do some research. What you've immediately run into has been a confusing assortment of contradictory claims. Some articles maintain that Vitamin E will protect you. Others recommend multivitamins. Yet others, zinc or beta-carotene.

There are even headlines proclaiming that prostate vitamins cause cancer, quoting data from a major 2006-2007 study.

How can you tell which version to trust?

I checked the original study report, and discovered that certain members of the media have once again been playing their favorite game " twisting facts and taking them out of context. Going over the report with a fine tooth comb showed that the risk of cancer increased in just over 11% of 1,476 cancer-stricken subjects. This was cited as being directly related to ignoring safe dosage recommendations for prostate vitamins in the mistaken belief that more is better.

The Actual Study Results Tell You What Really Counts

Study instigator Karla Lawson admits that the relationship between heavy vitamin dosing and the increase in advanced prostate cancer remains unclear. However, other sources speculate the super-doses feed pre-existing tumors. Lawson does add the proviso that simple early cases of prostate cancer do not appear to be linked to the use of prostate vitamins. She went on to warn that problems apparently occurred only when vitamins were used to excess.

If you fear prostate cancer, either because of your age and symptoms, or perhaps because of a family history, you may be tempted to take massive (or even as little as double) doses of prostate vitamins as a 'preventive' measure. Lawsons results strongly suggest this may not be wise.

Those most likely to use high amounts of vitamins and multivitamins fall into two groups: men whose families show a history of prostate cancer, and men who are proactively health-conscious. The study leaves both groups with a clear warning.

The best way to prevent prostate cancer may not be exciting to hear, and its certainly not rocket science. But it could easily mean your life.

* Eat a proper, healthy diet, low on fat, high on fiber, with plenty of vegetables

# Exercise

* Pay attention to your sleep habits - insomnia can cause a world of hurts

# Focus on the positives in life " what you want in your life, not what you don't want.

# Take whatever prostate vitamins your doctor recommends (but never in a dose exceeding the recommended maximum - not even by a single pill.)

* And that last, important tip " if you are over 50, do get your prostate gland checked out by your family physician regularly. Its a simple examination " and it may save more than your life! - 15336

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