Bph

The active ingredient in Saw Palmetto is Beta-SitoSterol. However, the amount of Beta-SitoSterol in all over the counter Saw Palmetto supplements is insignificant and not really enough to make an impact on your father’s health. He would be much better off simply taking other supplements with vastly greater quantities of Beta-SitoSterol. He will save money and (probably) improve his health dramatically. Virtually all men experience BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) after the age of fifty. The degree and scope of the symptoms, however, are markedly different in each case.

Many doctors suggest prescription drugs such as Proscar or FloMax. Most, if not all, of those prescription remedies offer no more help than a good dietary supplementation with Beta-SitoSterol. Certainly, though, each of the prescription drugs has side effects that the other nutritional supplements do not seem to have. Each of the websites below have a wealth of general information. Some of the information has citations. Some of it is likely anecdotal.

http://www.betaprostate.com/ This is Roger Mason’s site. He may be a little wacky. However, his facts seem to be in order.

http://www.wonderlabs.com/itemleft.php?itemnum=5842, http://www.wonderlabs.com/itemleft.php?itemnum=5441 Wonder Labs always seems to have the very best prices.

http://www.youngagainnutrients.com/r...cfm?catid=1729 Young Again is another quality source.

Other nutritional supplementation with things like Quercetin, L-Argenine, Lycopene, Omega 3, and Omega 6 must be considered as well. The list is much longer. However, proper diet and exercise go a long way to impeding, reversing, or eliminating many maladies.

Cholesterol is considerably more complex than just your 206 number. HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, and other component ratios must be analyzed. Dietary cholesterol is almost always not the culprit. So, any minute amounts of dietary cholesterol from nutritional supplementation are really not an issue. Our bodies manufacture the cholesterol that (sometimes and usually) is given far too much importance. If all of this is put in proper perspective, it is my opinion that the pharmaceutical companies wouldn't sell too many of their nasty statins.

Oversimplifying this: our bodies’ cholesterol numbers can be controlled in great part with two nutritional supplements. Red Yeast Rice Extract and Omega 3 blended with EPA and DHA can control cholesterol and arterial deposits adequately when used as a regular dietary supplement. These are over-the-counter items available most anywhere. Again, Wonder Labs is (in my experience) the best bang for your buck.


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Since your family is strictly vegetarian, you may find interest in these links to a two part article (with citations) by the late Stephen Byrnes, PhD.
http://www.nexusmagazine.com/articles/vegemyths1.html
http://www.nexusmagazine.com/articles/vegemyths2.html

Additionally, Andrew Paterson's somewhat emotional critique of Dr. Brynes' article is of similar interest.
http://energygrid.com/health/2002/06...henbyrnes.html
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As for my personal regimen, the list below covers most of what I use each day.

CoQ10 – 100 mg
Red Yeast Rice Extract – 2400 mg
Omega 3 marine lipids – 4000 mg
Grapefruit Pectin – 2000 mg
Curcumin – 500 mg
Quercetin – 200 mg
Beta-SitoSterol – 1200 mg
Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 500 mg
DIM – 200 mg
L-Carnosine – 500 mg
L-Glutamine – 1000 mg
Glucosamine Sulfate – 500 mg
Green Tea (decaf) extract – 800 mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid – 200 mg
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) – 600 mg
Vitamin E – 800 IU (natural, NOT synthetic!!!)
Vitamin D – 200 IU only (because I live in very sunny areas)
Vitamin B-12 – 1000 mcg – Sublingual Only!!!!
Vitamin C Crystals – 600 mg
Perfect Food Original Formula probiotics (from Garden of Life)
Acidophilus – 3 billion units liquid (keep refrigerated)
Spore Acidophilus – one capsule
FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) – 750 mg
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Another very interesting read is Calcium Bomb. It was written by a well qualified investigative journalist, Douglas Mulhall. The book discusses the link between nanobacteria and heart disease (as well as other illnesses). I have used EDTA with tetracycline as written about in the book. I do an annual maintenance regimine of this therapy. CT and ultrasound images of my arterial system prior to and subsequent to this therapy are dramatically different.

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Full Canvas: Some good info, I have just ordered some ALA/ALC combo tabs that I am going to start taking. I see you are taking these too. Are these all the supplements you are taking? If you are taking the ALA (alpha lipoic acid) you should also take 5,000mcg of Biotin. You mentioned omega 3 and 6's, getting the correct balance is crucial imo. Does anything in your regimen contain omega-6 GLA? The perfect ratio of omega3mega6 I have been reading is anywhere from 1:1 to 3:1, I am currently shooting for 3:1 but it is all guess work since I haven't forked out the $200 for an EFA blood test. What kind of CoQ10 are you taking? I take the Q-gel Mega formula, it is pricy at ~$30 for 60 tabs but supposedly you only need to take one a day since it is more bioavailable. You mentioned Calcium Bomb. Can you mention a little bit more what it talks about? Is more calcium better? Heart disease and gum disease are actually related for the same nano bacteria reason you stated. I believe hairloss (which I spend the majority of my time reading about) is also related to heart disease and even arthritis. Scrappy: I take prolly half the amount that Full canvas takes and it probably costs me near $50/month if you buy in bulk from vitacost.

The cost will vary with source and quantity. Most adults can expect to invest somewhere around $100.00 per month to properly supplement their diet. Take some time to study and learn what these supplements are intended to do. I developed my regimen over several years. I am a middle-aged man that responds best to this list of supplements. Everyone is different in their specific requirements.

All sources are not equal in price or quality. The list in my previous post is not entirely complete. However, it is fairly representative of how I supplement my diet. I didn't go into great detail because it usually bewildering to people that don't supplement.


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Yes. I used to take Biotin in addition to the ALA. Now, I simply take a combined ALA/Biotin product. There are no conclusive studies that I know of. However, many nutritionists believe that ALA can reduce any effect that other dietary Biotin has in one's body. So, to be safe, I do include the extra Biotin.



It is correct that the ratio of Omegas in one's diet is critical. The wrong ratios are as bad as (or worse than) poor quality products. The N3 Oceanic website typically had this ratio information linked in its site. However, the price of their products is not competitive. N3 marine lipids are manufactured at the same place that supplies Wonder Labs. The price difference is amazing. http://www.n3inc.com/index2.html


The highly absorbable or bio-available CoQ10 from Wonder Labs is what I use.


The issue of our bodies calcifying is not new. It is a new topic. Mulhall's book really doesn't deal with dietary calcium. The book focuses on the dangers of calcium deposits in the human body.

I almost fell out of my seat just now. I searched Amazon, Abe Books, and Alibris to see if any used copies are available. Amazon and Alibris are offering the book used for $189.00!!!! However, a NEW copy is on eBay with a Buy It Now price of only $12.99. I paid the regular $24.95 almost two years ago when the book was originally published. I doubt you would regret the eBay purchase of the book. http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Calcium-Bomb...QQcmdZViewItem

I source most of my supplements from Wonder Labs, Young Again, and local retail stores. Your investment in nutritional supplements is wasted to a large degree if your body cannot properly absorb the items you ingest. Get your body ready with some quality probiotics such as Perfect Food (Garden of LIfe), Acidophilus, and Spore Acidophilus.


Information on Mulhall's book. http://www.calcify.com/
Good source of high quality supplements at a good price. http://www.wonderlabs.com/
Probiotics and other gut foods available at most retailers. Prepare your stomach to absorb the nutrients fully. http://www.gardenoflife.com/
Great source of information and many unique products including Resveratrol. http://www.youngagainnutrients.com/

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I've heard differing things on the use of probiotics, from what I've read it seems like a good idea, most definitely if you've taken a lot of anti-biotics. I currently started taking this again 1x per day http://www.vitacost.com/Udos-Choice-...ic-60-Capsules

I have heard differing things on probiotics, many nutriontionists don't think it is necessary to supplement and dismiss probiotics as another craze, but then again they tell you to eat some pretty funky stuff that you'll never be able to find in any marketplace.

In addition to needing healthy intestinal flora, your intestines need to be clean of debris for the colonies of flora to prosper. If you don't establish that in your body, you are wasting money on supplements that cannot be properly or adequately absorbed.

More about Udo (your Vitacost probiotic product designer) Erasmus: http://www.udoerasmus.com/index_main.htm

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How do you recommend cleaning out debris? I have started doing an annual colonic (due for #2) and trying to get enough fiber. I eat a bowl or two (I'm bad about this) of All Bran cereal or sprinkle my food with this http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Organic-...illed-Flaxseed to help me get to my target 30g of fiber a day. What is your take on digestive enzymes? I periodically (especially with big meals) take a vegetarian digestive enzyme, with lipase being my main focus.

One or two colonic procedures are plenty unless a person subsists exclusively on cheeseburgers, pizza, and milkshakes.

I suggest going to your local health food store first and finding something safe. Find a clerk that is knowledgeable. Ask some question pertaining to what you want to accomplish. Alternately, you could talk to the staff at Garden of Life. They are generally more knowledgeable than most. http://www.gardenoflife.com/ Their Perfect Cleanse is a good product.

People choose to cleanse their colon for different reasons. They want to lose weight, detoxify or both. So, not every cleanse will work for every lifestyle. Don't be discouraged if you decide to quit your cleansing early; your lifestyle might be too busy to adapt readily to some of the cleansing regimens. Be prepared for what you're about to endure with some procedures!

If you're currently cleansing your colon or participating in a particular diet, I strongly suggest keeping your metabolism up with lots of cardio and weights. Just because you're eating right doesn't mean you can stop exercising.

As for digestive enzymes, I don't use them regularly. However, Ω-Zyme from Garden of Life is what I use when I take digestive enzymes.

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Sounds like Full Canvas knows what he's talking about. I take most of what he takes, in different forms, plus some more. It's expensive, for sure, but my general health and energy levels have been so good for so many years and my ability to outperform people generations younger than me has convinced me that it has been the best investment I could ever have made; worth much more than I have paid in.

Regarding calcification, I have seen the damage done in my peers over the years, from bone spurs, to dementia, to heart disease. I cringe at the big push for calcium supplementation and the marketing of everything from orange juice to bread by adding calcium. I believe it is a mistake and unhealthful. The highest rates of osteoperosis, by the way, are in the countries that consume the most calcium rich foods. And, while calcium can positively effect pH levels, so can Green Foods.

Magnesium tends to keep calcium in suspension, minimizing calcification. Excess calcium depletes magnesium in the blood. Low magnesium is dangerous in many, many ways. I supplement with about 800mg of magnesium a day and avoid calcium supplementation.

I would add magnesium to Full Canvas' list. And I would look into Pygeum for BHP rather than Saw Palmetto.

http://www.raysahelian.com/pygeum.html

Turmeric is good stuff, too.

My original post mentions that the list was not complete. I do take several other supplements. I concur with your remarks about magnesium. It is quite true that supplementation is "expensive." Each of us must decide whether or not health and longevity are worth three or four dollars each day. Your remarks make it clear that you have reaped certain benefits from nutritional supplementation.

Most people do not experience huge improvements on an immediate basis when they begin using supplements. Therefore, most people simply stop taking the nutritional supplements. I believe that is a dangerous mistake. I urge anyone to use nutritional supplements for one year. If at year's end they do not notice any difference, they should stop supplementing for sixty days. Then they will notice how much the supplements enhanced their health!!!
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Although I use a Beta-SitoSterol supplement primarily, Pygeum (as mentioned in Liberty Ship's complete post) and Saw Palmetto supplements each generally have other worthwhile constituent compounds. It is likely that science will not study each compound in every item during our lifetimes. So, many of the ingredients mysteriously add to male health without any complete information available as to why they are so beneficial.

Young Scrappy mentioned hair loss as a symptom experienced by his father. It might be wise to consider keeping Saw Palmetto as a supplement simply because of its proven ability to inhibit the production of DHT. Among other things, DHT contributes to hair loss.

Below is a rundown on a number of nutritional items that any man should consider just for full male health. You will notice quotation marks enclosing the entire text. I simply captured the text from: http://nutrivera.com/product.php?pro...1&cat=0&page=1. Although the text has no citations, I find the information to be of interest anyway for further research.

I recently purchased some of NutriVera Natural's Prostate Factors product for personal trial of at least six months because the product contains ALL if the items listed below. I cannot report because I haven't used the product yet. Additionally, because I don't have any gross symptoms and sleep through the night without the need to get up, any difference the NutriVera Naturals product might make is likely to be minor. I will know in a few months. I begin using the product on January 1st.

"Saw Palmetto
Acts as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic. Also inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that contributes to the enlargement of the prostate. It may also enhance sexual function.

Saw Palmetto is the best-known natural solution for maintaining prostate health and proper urinary function. Clinical studies verify the important prostate-supporting benefits of this herb.

Saw palmetto has been widely studied in Europe, where it's been used for decades. It inhibits the action of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme that boosts production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This action is necessary to maintain overall prostate health. In a 1994 Belgium study, 305 men with prostate concerns were treated with 160 mg of Saw Palmetto twice daily for three months. At the conclusion of the study, researchers found that Saw Palmetto promotes prostate health and urinary function.

Nettle
Stinging nettle (urtica dioica) might be a pain for hikers and campers, but it's a key nutrient for good prostate health, because it can reduce the amount of free (active) testosterone circulating in the blood and help to inhibit aromatase, one of the enzymes responsible for testosterone synthesis.

Pygeum Africanum
Pygeum africanum also has a solid scientific pedigree. It contains a number of natural compounds called sterols - the most effective of which appears to be beta sitosterol - that help maintain prostate health. A multi-center study in Germany, France, and Austria found that two-thirds of men significantly reduced their night-time awakenings to urinate, and enhanced their urinary flow considerably.

Lycopene
Lycopene an Amazing Antioxidant for the Prostate... Lycopene is an antioxidant-a substance that can slow oxidation by neutralizing the free radicals that can oxidize, or damage, other molecules in the body. It is found naturally in fruits and vegetables like watermelon, pink grapefruit, guavas and tomatoes.

A 6-year study done at Harvard University involving 50,000 men revealed that those who ate foods high in lycopene were up to 45% less likely to develop prostate cancer. In another double-blind study, patients treated with lycopene had smaller prostates than an untreated control group.

And some cancer patients who received lycopene showed signs of regression and decreased malignancy. In other words, lycopene slowed the spread and growth of the cancer. Research is still ongoing in this area but there is mounting evidence that indicates lycopene may play a big part maintaining or even enhancing prostate health.

Zinc
Zinc plays a role in the prevention of prostate cancer and helps to maintain prostate health. Study after study suggests that Zinc helps your body heal faster and promotes a healthy immune system. But emerging evidence is also starting to show Zinc's usefulness in enhancing prostate health. How? Later in life, testosterone can undergo unhealthy changes that can harm your prostate. Zinc may be able to decrease the amount of this 'bad' testosterone your prostate absorbs.

To stay healthy, your prostate needs 10 times more Zinc than any other organ in your body. And since Zinc is required for normal testosterone and sperm production, it is also essential to a healthy sex life.

Pumpkin Seed Powder
Pumpkin Seed and preparations of crushed pumpkin seeds have been used for ages by both Native Americans and men in countries like Bulgaria and the Ukraine to support prostate health and promote proper urinary flow.There are theories, but to date, researchers aren't certain why pumpkin seeds aid in urinary health so effectively.

Pumpkin seed is a powerful antioxidant, and has been said to have subtle natural anti-inflammatory properties, too. Research suggests that the zinc, free fatty acids, vitamin E or phytosterols in pumpkin seed might account for its prostate health and promote proper urinary flow.There are theories, but to date, researchers aren't certain why pumpkin seeds aid in urinary health so effectively.

Pumpkin seed is a powerful antioxidant, and has been said to have subtle natural anti-inflammatory properties, too. Research suggests that the zinc, free fatty acids, vitamin E or phytosterols in pumpkin seed might account for its prostate health benefits. Or it could simply be all of these compounds combined that do the trick."
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