I just received the AARP bulletin. There's a very interesting article about how chronic inflammation is the root cause, or at least a contributor, to many health problems, cancer included. One of the things mentioned is the potential role of gut microbes on inflammation, and the possible benefits of using probiotics to replenish the 'good bacteria" in the gut... To prevent chronic inflammation.
Which made me look up "probiotics and prostate cancer" on line, and there are a number of reports saying that they could be beneficial in preventing or slowing down aggressive PCa. I am curious as to why this type of "supplement" does not come up more often on this forum. Maybe I missed the posts.
What is the consensus among our fellow members about using PB's? I can't see how they could hurt anything, except maybe your wallet. Any opinions? thanks
CBGJR
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There are many learned forum members such as Pjoshea ,Nalakrats and others who have been mentioning again and again about role of chronic inflammation in PCA and indicating how various foods and supplements can reduce chronic inflammation.
It is true that controlling total systemic inflammation has a positive effect on cancer and has potential to stop or at least slow cancer progression.
Foods like Yogurt, Turmeric, Ginger, Garlic, onions leafy vegetables play a role in lowering chronic inflammation which can be measured by C Reactive protein test, LDH test or ESR testing
Agree with you that probiotic to balance gut flora in favor of good bacteria can reduce inflammation. However, I prefer home made Yogurt to supplements of probiotics. But I am not against supplements if natural sources are not feasible.
I agree that it is underexplored territory. The issue seems to be the balance of bacteria, and it is unknown whether taking a new bacterium can change the balance (it is a complex adaptive system that tries to restore its equilibrium) and whether it is advisable to do so. And it is not just the gut - different bacterial systems exist in the prostate and other organs.
I agree with you that the body has a certain balance that can not be easily changed. You can't change for instance the pH of your blood by drinking vinegar. Probiotics can temporarily change the gut but I believe the body will gravitate back to the composition that it has had since birth
Sorry, I guess the title should have been "Probiotics and Chronic Inflammation". I was aware that the chronic inflammation subject has been frequently brought up on this site.
What I was wondering was why I hadn't seen posts about the use of probiotics used as supplements to potentially reduce inflammation.
Tall Allen mentioned some potential risks from using them. But that doesn't explain the lack of previous discussions on their use. Just wondering...t
The relationship between inflammation and prostate cancer is not simple, and may be different from other cancers. Lower levels of certain antiinflammatory gut bacteria have been associated with better response to immunological agents for PC.
Some inflammation is necessary for immune response; too much inflammation is carcinogenic. As I said, it is the balance of pro and anti-inflammatory bacteria that most likely play a role.
Bacteria also play a role in generating adequate plasma levels of hormonal therapies. Conversely, hormonal therapies have also been found to affect the balance of bacteria.
We are far from knowing how to alter gut bacteria as a therapy. I'm sure that foods like yoghurt and sauerkraut in moderation won't harm anyone. I'm not sure that it's a good idea to chronically take pills full of bacteria until more is known.
I’m on probiotics since dx ... over four years . Once I missed and ran out for a couple days . Big mistake . Didn’t feel good ...My stomach likes probiotics . I am a believer ..
Klaire labs Vital-10. 5 billion Cfu multi species Probiotic supplement .. 2 caps daily in morn before food . Must be refrigerated .. 100 vegan caps .. prescribed by Dr. Uzick my nat dr and the man at killing c.... Take care .. “ pluck the day”!
Just a couple thoughts. There is a doc on the web named Steven Gundry. He pushes his diet and sells book and supplements. Anyway I don't purchase anything from him but there are a lot of youtube videos and free info on his website. He seems to push the anti-inflammation diet. It's interesting if you like to research nutrition. Pretty much the Mediterranean diet theme.
I take probiotics on and off and this is the brand I like. I have no financial gain or any connections to them. I think it is a decent product. Their website has a lot of reading material. elixa-probiotic.com
You may find Dr. Michael Greger’s video on Stephen Gundry of interest at nutritionfacts.org. Dr. Greger believes Gundry has made serious mistakes in his theory of the Plant Paradox. You decide.
Yes, I am aware. I followed a strict vegan diet for two years. Then last December I became very ill. Very low B12, low iron, neuropathy and hyponatremia (low sodium). I ended up in the hospital and missed an entire month of work. And I was taking B12 like they recommend (just not absorbing it according to my doc). I felt so ill that I honestly thought I was going to die. My heart rate was all over the place and I had terrible insomnia. When I first went to the ER, they hooked up an EKG and thought I was having cardiac problems.
Now I still eat vegan meals, but have fish once a day, a pea protein shake, eat an egg or two a week, and put salt on my food. Also put some olive oil on my salads. I take a multi-vitamin, iron, fish oil and also a B12 sublingual. I feel one hell of a lot better. Yeah I know, nutrients that could fuel cancer. Try dealing deficiencies.
I would agree most people need to eat a lot more veggies in their diets. But there are articles out there about what nutrients vegans could become deficient in. I became the poster child of those articles.
You vegans out there, be careful! I respect your lifestyle and if it works for you then wonderful! I have been reading about nutrition for decades, altho I do not claim to be an expert at all. But what I have learned is that for every article, video you watch and study done, there seems to exist an article, video, study proving the exact opposite.
Please vegans, I am not attacking your lifestyle. I just know that I became very ill.
I've taken a quality probiotic, as well as many of the foods mentioned above, since getting c diff after my prostate biopsy three years ago. I believe it helps keep my gut in equilibrium, and inflammation in check. It has certainly helped with my radiation colitis.
But as Tall Allen says, it's largely scientifically underexplored territory, despite the many articles, books (The Gut, Your Second Brain) and unproven products. Dr. Gundry may have some good information in this lengthy infomercials, that typically end with an expensive 'one day special offer' for his wonder powder.
A friend who manages a Vitamin Shoppe pulled me aside a couple years ago to tell me that a customer who had severe heart burn for years had cured it by eating a forkful of fermented sauerkraut in the morning and at night. This customer, (who remained anonymous), had bought this, that and other supps to help with their gastric disorder. The customer was on all the meds and also blood pressure meds. Within a month the customer's heart burn was gone and the customer's doctor took saw no need for the blood pressure meds either.
I have told a couple people that story who complained of heart burn, waking up with a throat full of acid. A nurse--take some bicarbonate of soda when it happens and get the sauerkraut. They both had success.
I add Green Vibrance and Maximum Vibrance, both of which contain large amounts of probiotics, to drinks I blend or shake.
Curcumin and ginger. Many say turmeric, however, the active part of the turmeric root that fights inflammation is curcumin. The turmeric root is only 3% curcumin. Back adding some of the tumerones oil to a curcumin supp increases it's absorption. Ginger works synergistically with curcumin. Ginger is a good pain killer. Aspirin, the lowly aspirin, is beneficial in preventing metastasis.
I believe that Patrick posted a study that showed that green tea was a cancer killer but when combined with ibuprofen it was about 30% more effective. The inflammation factor immediately came into my mind when I read that.
Black seed oil fights inflammation. Tart cherry juice fights inflammation and even gout!
The maligned fish oil! A recent study that "focused" on findings of a sensationalized study--we know about that--enough. Fish oil fights inflammation but I went vegan ! Oh well!
From WebMD--page 3 has interest for us. Copy both lines.
two articles on the possible effects of probiotics on cancer patients: The first one warns of probiotics causing 70% poorer response to cancer immunotherapy treatments (like checkpoint-i) and the second article is slightly more positive about their potential.
I too read that article and I've made a few dietary changes as a result. I switched from sourdough bread to Dave's "killer" bread with 21 grains and seeds. No more processed meats for me. I've added fresh fruit to my yogurt each morning. Little processed foods now, and trying to avoid sweets except for special occasions. Using low-fat meats such as chicken, lean pork and beef, and fish for protein. Switched from corn oil to olive oil. And, finally, added nuts to our salad each evening. None of this was painful to do (except on the wallet).
I have been taking probiotics morning and evening for about a decade now. Can't say about the relationship with advanced PCa. But the above changes have resulted in much improved digestive function (much less constipation). This cannot hurt.
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Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) has been the best solution for my chronic constipation for several years now.
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