I have used vitamins and supplements most of my adult life following the advice of, whom I consider, some very knowledgeable people. Once I had decided upon surgery, the surgeon advised me to stop taking all vitamins and supplements 10 days prior to the procedure and not resume for six to ten weeks following. I asked what vitamins he would suggest and got a look like I had ordered something on a croissant at a biker bar. After fumbling around for a minute or two, he suggested I could resume the multi-vitamin...and maybe some vitamin D.
Finding his answer less than enthusiastic, I went online to see what research I could find and was greeted with nearly 16-million resulting answers.
It seems there is no clear protocol for post-prostatectomy vitamins. In fact, it is obvious there is no agreement upon vitamins and supplements for prostate health period let alone post-prostatectomy.
Conflicting opinions occupy side-by-side positions...Vitamin E causes Prostate Cancer, Vitamin E prevents Prostate Cancer by two mechanisms, Vitamin E increases the risk of Prostate Cancer, Vitamin D prevents Prostate Cancer, Vitamin D has little effect on Prostate Cancer, etc., etc, etc. ad nauseam.
I'm going to my most trusted pharmacist next week to establish a new regimen; if you have any thoughts on the issue I'd be happy to hear them.
Like you, I have had my frustrations with conflicting information regarding both vitamins and supplements. Something we were shocked to discover as we were doing our own research was how many different brands are manufactured in China. These are the same people who have no qualms about sending our children toys made with industrial waste. I don't know about you but I don't trust these same people to compound my Vitamins.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I do firmly believe is that nothing has as much impact on your health as the food you eat.
Regarding Prostate Cancer and diet, research shows that Asian men seem to have the lowest chances of developing prostate cancer. Japan has the lowest rates in world. Some researchers attribute these numbers to the traditional rural Japanese diet which is based on fish rather than red meat. Supporting this theory are the rising levels of the disease which coincide with the westernizing of the Japanese diet. Additionally, Asian men who immigrate to the United States have incidence rates similar to the majority population.
What if we have been on the wrong track? What if all we really need is to put as much effort into selecting the food we eat as we have been putting into selecting vitamins and supplements?
Hi. I am glad I stumbled into your blog. I am a naturopathic doctor who directs the integrative urology dept at NYU. I treat patients with prostate cancer integratively with lifestyle medicine and supplements. Also, I am currently writing a book on the topic. Thus, I do not know any supplements that cure prostate cancer per se. Smart supplementation strengthen's the patients body to create a hostile environment to cancer cells. There is much false information on how bad supplements are for prostate cancer - this information is highly FLAWED and unscientific. This sentiment is particular with the notion that vitamin E induces prostate cancer - NOT TRUE. I will come back to your blog as a contributor of possibly helpful information. Please feel free to go to mine and contribute as well. I post mostly on this. If you would like to read my post on vitamin E and prostate cancer here it is: http://drgeo.com/?s=vitamin+E. All the best and good luck. - Dr.Geo
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