What is the received wisdom or view of the relationship between taking supplements (or foods) that claim or do actually seem to reduce or control PSA.
For instance curcumin and similar products. It does seem in some cases to impact PSA results on testing but is this actually impacting the PCa cells or just the expression of PSA? I used to take curcumin for another condition and stopped it (and all supplements) during RT.
I’d quite like to start again (not particularly in the belief it works on my PCa bit for another long term condition) but have also heard it interferes with the accuracy of the regular PSA tests, which in itself begs the question - what’s going on, is it helping control the PCa, is it obscuring the reality or don’t we know !
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SimMartin
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The fact that those taking the placebo had an insignificantly longer break from hormone therapy in spite of the fact that their PSA progression was greater than those who were taking curcumin in the first 6 months, indicates that curcumin may have interfered with the PSA tests while they were taking it. Clearly, curcumin did not delay clinical progression.
exactly that’s what I took from the study. The real issue is not (for me at least) does curcumin help with PCa control or recurrence BUT does it mess with the accuracy of the PSA assays in a way that obscures what is happening to the cancer cells! Of course quite small study .
Given of course I assume PSA is the main indirect indicator we use to monitor, if not a direct measure of the state of the PCa itself.
thanks TA - I think I must have seen or read something about this hence my stopping taking it last October before any RT or HT. However I’m a little alerted it mentions green tea ! I drink that and have because I like if not for any other reason … is it saying this TOO can mess with PSA assays ! Be sad to have to give it up !
I take a significant number of photochemical supplements including the ones mentioned and others. It is a regular daily routine, consistent across months and years. Since I have had a radical prostatectomy 15 years ago, any PSA measured is all coming from PCa cells. I am much more concerned with any significant changes in PSA as a marker of disease progression, rather than the absolute value. Since my PSA is always measured with the same background of supplements, etc. It should be a valid marker if it changes significantly. I (or you) could drop the supplements for a few weeks and retest to see how the value might change. But I am not bothering to do that. As is often repeated “PSA is not the cancer”. It is just a marker for PC growth.
My husband (DX in 2007) has been taking curcumin and other supplements since 2008. We think they definitely help, especially immune boosting supplements.
I've taken many supplements over the past 4-5 years and have not found a direct connection. Similarly, I have taken curcumin for long periods and gone without it for long periods, and haven't found that it affect PSA either way.
If any of these things work, they may do so over years. I accept that possibility, but still working on it.
I have been very stable on Lupron for 4.5 years, so that may cloud the picture (probably does).
I buy "turmeric powder" in an Indian food store. I use it daily in my foods with black pepper, paprika, and lycopene. Is it effective? I cannot say. Supposedly.
I posted this in a series of articles on Sulforaphane...in this case its effect on PSADT (doubling time) has been proven by medical study. I dont take any supplements that are backed up by anecdotal testimony; you would be taking 1000 pills a day. But if there is a controlled study that backs up the claim it gets my attention...Sulforaphane has been studied extensively and there is growing evidence it acts against most cancers, PCa specifically vis a vis PSADT...if you can keep the doubling time by growing then MET, PCSM, OS, everything is kicked down the road! Rick
PS there is growing evidence as well that Vitamin D3 impacts PCa...this post was put up some time back and I have a new podcast that doubles down on this supplement, vis a vis PCa...Rick
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