According to a new study published recently in the FASEB journal, antioxidants (polyphenols) that can be found in green tea and red wine produce anti-cancer benefits by acting upon cellular pathways that are necessary for cancer growth.  By causing disruptions in these cellular pathways, scientists are finally aware of how polyphenols help prevent prostate cancer (as well as other types of cancer such as breast cancer and colon cancer).

How polyphenols fight cancer

Polyphenols are able to disrupt the SphK1 / S1P cellular pathway.  This pathway has been identified as necessary for prostate cancer to develop over time.  According to Dr. Gerald Weissmann, the SphK1 / S1P cellular pathway also plays an integral role in the development of other common cancers.

In addition, Weissmann stated that both red wine and green tea are potent super foods because of their potential contribution in cancer prevention.  As a note for the future, Weissmann added that this discovery about polyphenols can help guide researchers who wish to develop more effective cancer treatments.

What about red wine?  Red wine has resveratrol too,which has been studied for several decades now for its heart-healthy benefits.  What else does red wine give its drinkers?  If taken moderately, red wine can help prevent prostate cancer by disrupting tumor development and tissue inflammation.

Red wine's antioxidant content also allows the body's cells to heal themselves from the negative effects of free radicals.  It is said that a serving of red wine per day can reduce a man's chances of developing deadly prostate cancer by as much as fifty percent.

If you don't like drinking red wine, you can still source resveratrol from foods such as nuts and grapes (but the percentage of resveratrol would be much lower).  Resveratrol supplementation can be explored, if you want a healthy dose of the compound everyday in a convenient form that you can take with you easily when you're traveling.

Boosting prostate health

Prostate cancer is considered a 'silent killer' that poses mortal danger to men over the age of 40 – but it doesn't have to be this way.  You can take the steps today to ensure that this cancer is prevented.  There are natural methods to achieve this goal:

1. Drink polyphenol-rich “super foods” like green tea (and red wine too, but don't overdo it!).

2. Eat prostate cancer-fighting foods like broccoli, tomatoes and cauliflower. These vegetables are packed with antioxidants and cancer fight compounds as well.

3. Cancer cells love an acidic body. That's why if your body is generally acidic, cancer cells thrive better.  Raw food (like salad greens) can help stabilize the acid-base balance of your body.

4. Another potent antioxidant is vitamin E.  Vitamin E supplementation (or just taking multivitamins) will ensure that you have enough antioxidants in your body to protect yourself from prostate cancer.  Also, taking multivitamins everyday can help reduce your chances of developing heart diseases, too!

5. Take vitamin D to protect your prostate directly.  In a recent study done in the US, it was found that males that had high levels of vitamin D in their bloodstream were 7 times less likely to suffer mortality from prostate cancer. Vitamin D's contribution to cancer prevention is tied to its ability to enhance the differentiation of cells (cancer cells are often not differentiated), reduce cancer cell growth and slow down the growth of newer blood vessels in tumors.

6. Good news for people who love munching on nuts: walnuts are loaded with compounds that can help slow down the growth of prostate cancer cells. The recommended daily serving of walnuts (and nuts in general) is 2 to 3 oz.

7. Diet may be the reason for up to 1/3 of all cancers; which is why you should pay attention to your diet now to lower your cancer risk.  Prostate cancer specifically, is so prevalent that 1 out of 6 of all males are at risk for developing full blown prostate cancer once in their life.

Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables would certainly help, since these foods are rich in antioxidants and fiber which helps sweep away toxic build-up in the colon.

8. In Europe, the use of African plum tree supplements is pretty popular with males because it helps ease urinary and bladder problems.  It has been reported that this particular supplement may be useful in coping with the various symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Sources:
eurekalert.org
articles.mercola.com
articles.mercola.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com