Pomagranate juice for lowering PSA

[skyhag]

Recently, I have been reading about the use of pomegranate juice as a means of stabilizing psa levels in men who are facing prostate cancer.  Have these studies shown positive results in those who are at risk for recurrent psa findings following prostate surgery?  My husband's urologist has not mentioned this as any type of preventative approach, so I'm wondering if it is being acknowledged or endorsed by those of you in the medical field.  Thank you for your input.

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

Pomegranate juice may have cancer-chemopreventive as well as cancer-chemotherapeutic effects against prostate cancer in humans.

It has been studied in patients who have had a rising PSA following surgery or radiotheraopy.

However this has not been conclusively proven and trials are still on.
This answer is not intended and does not substitute for medical advice- the information is for patient education only

[ilight]

A related discussion, milk was started.

[donAlfonso]

Been away for awhile. In response to your question, yes, my urologist, head of the department at a large NYC teaching hospital, believes in pomegranate.  In fact, in his waiting room I found a pile of copies of an article about a study that had been done at I think New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center which found pomegranate to be beneficial.  It was a serious study at a major institution, and I think that is what sold my doc.  His suggestion was to try the juice (I switched to extract on the advice of a nutritionist) for 3 months, but if my PSA continues to rise he will recommend external beam radiation.

It sounds like your husband is in a similar situation?  I wish you both all the best.

dA

[skyhag]

Yes, it seems the situations are similar.  Thank you so much for the confirmation about pomegranate.  We didn't figure it could do any harm but didn't want to get overly optimistic about potential results.  It is encouraging that such a credible dr and facility has endorsed the benefits.  Thank you for your reply and we wish you good results on those dreaded PSA tests.  (I think I may start mixing vodka with my pom juice....this is getting to me worse than it is my husband)  

[skyhag]

Thanks for the extract suggestion.  I am curious to know if your urologist acknowledges the benefits of pomegranate.  So far, no one in the medical field has mentioned this...we discovered it from an alternative medicine source. Best wishes for a happy and healthy future.

[donAlfonso]

Pomegranate extract is possibly a better choice, simply because of the high sugar content of the juice (approx 8 to 11 grams sugar per 8 fluid ounces of juice, I believe). I have a rising PSA following RP in 2002, and have just begun pomegranate tx.  Next PSA scheduled in early June, I'll post results (currently .24).

dA

[skyhag]

Thank you so much for taking the time to satisfy my curiosity regarding the values of pomegranate juice in regard to prostate cancer.  It is nice to have this type of medical input available when dealing with such stressful situations.  Best Regards!