Complementary Therapies - Your Experience?

[32Percenter]

My standard of care drugs are doing a great job of keeping my PSA down, but it would seem inconsiderate not to look into giving them a bit of help. I'm investigating these "adjunct" therapies with anecdotal or research evidence showing potential action against prostate cancer, and I'm just wondering if anyone here has had experience with them. Did they improve your situation, either by reducing PSA, shrinkage of tumor(s), or relieving symptoms?

Vitamin D: I'm taking 2500 IU daily with my MO's blessing, but is that enough? Is there any research showing that I should be taking more or less?

Ursolic Acid: I've seen studies showing this kills PCa cells in vitro - does this carry over to in vivo in anyone's experience?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Ellagic Acid (pomegranate extract): Same

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/238...

Fenbendazole: There's almost a religious zeal among people who take this on a couple of Facebook groups I browsed. In the blog that seems to have started the craze the author claims he took it to beat lung cancer, but has anyone had success with it with PCa?

mycancerstory.rocks

Mushroom Extracts (Turkey Tail, Reishi, Chaga): Interesting research on these, and some people swear by these for certain cancers, but I haven't seen any anecdotal success stories for PCa.

uclahealth.org/news/turkey-...

Curcumin: Research shows it can fight metastasis in cancer patients (when injected), but it may not be that orally bioavailable. Anyone have success to report after taking capsules by mouth?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Tall_Allen]

Therapies don't need our help. We all have to have some humility about tinkering with our own biochemistry.

Vit D at that level pulls calcium out of bones, and can cause hypercalcemia, and hypercalciuria, and increase parathyroid hormone.

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

Pomegranate has been proven to be useless in two randomized trials, but probably won't hurt you. Just expensive pee.

Curcumin may interfere with PSA tests:

prostatecancer.news/2019/04...

IDK about the biochemical issues caused by the other stuff, but I do know there's no proven benefit. Stick to foods, and let your body decide what it needs.

[Benkaymel]

They're mostly snake oil I'm afraid. I've tried dozens of so called wonder supplements and none have made any difference. The PSA stays low but the tumours keep progressing.

[Magnus1964]

Great list.

[fireandice123]

I’ve taken multiple supplements that are purported to have some effect on PCa but I can’t see that they’ve done anything in regards to directly fighting my PCa. What I will say is that those supplements and others along with my exercise regimen has helped my health in general has had a positive impact on mitigating the SE’s from ADT, and made my body stronger to fight my cancer. IMO a healthy lifestyle in probably the best complementary option available to SOC treatments. It’s not going to directly reduce PCa but a healthy body, at least as healthy as one can have with PCa, is going to put up a better fight.

[Derf4223]

Exercise. Lots of exercise.

[32Percenter in reply to Derf4223]

So true. In navigating these natural health groups to research this topic, a common thread is no one, like REALLY no one, recommending or engaging in exercise. Everyone's looking for that miracle pill to pop that will cure their cancer but they don't want to put in any work.

In our situations with hormonal disruption and bone loss, exercise is even more important (especially resistance exercise).

[mrscruffy]

Been taking Lion's Mane mushroom for a year doesn't seem to do anything. Also been taking Vitamin D for 5 years, no changes there. Where I did find success with cancer pain is Psilocybin. Two weeks and pain gone. Definitely not scientific, anecdotal at best. Just this guy's experience

[GoBucks]

I took Vitamin D because I had a blood test and found it was deficient. My MO likes Vitamin D levels in the higher range. Once my level was normal I started taking it every other day. 2000 IU. If you are not deficient in something, why take? If you took everything that kills cancer in vitro or in mice you wouldn't have time to ask questions here. Best of luck.

[Magnus1964]

Here is a list of supplements that you can research with PubMed:

Salvestrol

Apigenin

Artemisinin

3,3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM)

chlorine dioxide

Hydrogen Peroxide (food grade)

Superoxide Dismutase

Relora

Kalmegha

thymoquinone

Flubendazole

Exogenous Superoxide

Protocel

4-Methylumbelliferone

Magnolol

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Serrapeptase and Nattokinase

alpha lipoic acid and hydroxycitrate

Prazosin

Sulforaphane

[MateoBeach]

OntaContra, I certainly don’t dismiss photochemical supports to my cancer treatment, even in absence of clinical trials that will likely never be done. So it is a matter of possible small benefits vs cost I’m very safe supplements. (Maximum exercise and good sleep are incontrovertible.)

Anti inflammatory photochemicals reduce that as drivers of cancer progression. These include shlforaphane, curcumin, fisetin and quercetin among others. However, your case is already fully advanced metastatic, though still hormone sensitive. So perhaps they still could be of value. You can get most of these from foods, though I find supplementing reassuring.

Cardiovascular risk still kills many with APC. Worth optimizing lipids with statin if at all needed (to LDLc of 70 or less). And optimal BP control. If needed Doxazosin or Prazosin have demonstrated benefits on advanced PC over other BP meds. Nattokinase and Serrapeptase reduce risk of venous clotting which is higher risk in cancer.

You are already on optimal SOC treatment regimen. Your vitamin D3 is fine. Consider getting one combined with vitamin K-2. Are you on Zolendronate or denosumab for bone strength protection? Is a good idea. Also see if you can get Provenge treatments in Ontario. Best of luck and living. Paul

[j-o-h-n]

supplements OR up laments?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 09/29/2023 7:25 PM DST