When I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995 I took a look at my diet and became very nutrition conscious. I always thought I ate pretty healthy, but it turned out many of the foods I was eating were not very prostate friendly. So I read and studied what I could find on the subject and adopted a Pescatarian diet with no dairy intake and the use of seafood a few days a week. I also read up on and looked into the use of supplements. The only one I was taking regularly at that time was Vitamin C. So I started taking a number of supplements as I was fearful that I was not getting proper nutrition even with the major change in my food intake. I spent a lot of money on all different kinds of supplements. But how could I be sure that I was taking the right ones?.
So I developed a system for evaluating whether the supplements I was adding were worthwhile specifically to control my prostate cancer progression. First I would take my PSA and get the new number before embarking on a new supplement. I would always buy a three month supply in order to give a fair amount of time to get a reaction. Unlike prescription drugs that the body reacts to almost immediately in most cases, supplements generally take time for the body to show any reaction. This is especially true of anti-cancer supplements. I would then take another PSA test in 3 months and see if in fact this new supplement had a positive effect in slowing down my PSA level. If it did I would continue it's use. If not that supplement would be discontinued and I would continue my search. I still use that strategy and it has worked for me and saved my a lot of money. I have also realized over time that what works successfully for one man does not necessarily work for the next. I've also notice that the positive effects of supplements in many cases tend to wear off over time. So evaluate my supplement intake at least once every year. I wonder what your experience has been with supplements personally?
These days, as a fixed income senior I don't take any near as many different supplements as I used to, money is a major consideration. The majority of supplements I take are for my general health (Vitamin B,C and D, Omega 3 fish oil, magnesium, baby aspirin) and not specifically for prostate cancer.
I often get asked the question "If you had to give up all your supplements except one what would it be"? My answer: medical mushrooms. Most American's are not familiar with mushrooms except for in cooking. But Asian cultures have been using mushrooms for health for thousands of years. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of mushrooms not only to the human body but also for the welfare of everything on planet Earth check out "Fabulous Fungi" a great documentary film.
Life Extension magazine in their March 2022 has a very informative article about mushrooms titled "What's in Mushrooms That Supports Healthy Aging". It turns out there is an amino acid protein called L-ergothioneine that is found in all mushrooms, but sorry to say not produced by the human body. It may be a key anti-aging substance. Some interesting facts from a twenty year study of 15,000 Americans:
L-ergothioneine appears to protect DNA and reduce the shortening of telomeres
Europeans eat about five times more mushrooms than American's.
Italians eat the most mushrooms. They live on average of 5 years longer than Americans. 84 vs 79.
L-ergothioneine is associated with lower incidences of: cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's Disease, Frailty.
L-ergothioneine is associated with longer life expectancy.
L-ergothioneine has a sulfur containing group that puts it in a class related to glutathione, one of the most powerful antioxidants produced in the body.
Mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of total mortality
Personally, my research and experience has been that mushrooms work better in combination than by themselves. There is a synergistic effect that makes them more powerful together than when taken alone. There are two companies that I like that produce medicinal mushrooms in easy to take capsule form. Medicinal mushrooms can be expensive. These are both affordable. The first is called "Ten Mushroom Formula" from a company called Econugenics in Santa Rosa ,California. The second: 14 Mushroom Blend from Duckbush Mushrooms in Sequim, WA.
I also cook regularly with Shitake and Portabello Mushroom. Bon Appetite.
