|
Chondtroitin poses a risk to men diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
WHEN TREATMENTS COLLIDE
Health Sciences Institute e-Alert
May 7, 2002
*******************************************************
Dear Reader,
Last week I received an e-mail from Bob K., a member and close
friend of HSI who shared some important information he learned
while seeking treatment for prostate cancer. The original source
of his information is Dr. Charles Myers, a PC survivor himself,
and, for many years now, a leader in helping men beat this
disease through integrative medicine.
The information may not be new to some of you, but it is a
critical warning for anyone who is fighting cancer while also
using natural treatments for osteoarthritis. And it's a great
example of the HSI network at work - members helping members
stay on top of the latest advances and warnings.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Common remedies pose uncommon threats
--------------------------------------------------------------
A few years ago Dr. Myers was treating a prostate cancer patient
who was coming along well when he was examined in July. Yet, by
October, the patient's cancer had, in Dr. Myers words, "exploded
and spread widely." What had changed in so short a time?
Unfortunately, Dr. Myers discovered that the explosive spread of
cancer may have been caused by a common supplement - one that
this man, and many others like him, take daily to treat their
arthritis.
One month after the July examination, the patient had started
taking chondroitin sulfate. Supplements containing chondroitin
sulfate and glucosamine, two essential parts of cartilage, have
been shown to slow and even reverse osteoarthritis, a
degenerative joint disease. But while it may offer hope for
arthritis patients, Dr. Myers found evidence that it was the
chondroitin sulfate that made his patient's prostate cancer grow
and spread to other sites.
Several research reports supported his hypothesis. In one,
scientists compared samples of normal prostate tissue with
prostate tissues, and found that the cancerous tissues
contained a higher concentration of chondroitin. In another
study, researchers found that cancerous prostate tumors with
high concentrations of chondroitin sulfate in the surrounding
tissue predicted a greater chance of a recurrence of the cancer
after surgery.
According to Dr. Myers, chondroitin sulfate relieves joint pain
when it forms a complex with the protein versican found in joint
cartilage. But cancers that spread widely and metastasize, such
as prostate cancer cells, also express versican on their
surface. When the chondroitin supplement is introduced, it's
loaded onto the surface of the cancer cells, facilitating their
growth and spread to distant sites.
Fortunately, there is no evidence that glucosamine contributes
to the spread of prostate cancer. Furthermore many studies have
shown that it works independently, and chondroitin isn't
necessary for a therapeutic affect. Therefore, Dr. Myers
encourages osteoarthritis patients to feel comfortable using
glucosamine supplements.
In addition to avoiding chondroitin sulfate, Dr. Myers also
cautions prostate cancer patients against using flaxseed oil.
Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid which is believed to
slow the growth of certain cancers, leading some physicians to
recommend alpha-linolenic acid extracts to all cancer patients.
However, Dr. Myers has found a number of different studies which
conclude that flaxseed oil helps prostate cancer cells to grow
and spread.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Natural doesn't automatically mean safe
--------------------------------------------------------------
As Bob told me, he was someone who always believed supplements
could have a neutral affect, at worst. Unfortunately, this
simply isn't true. Many of the compounds and herbs we rely on
for treatment are very powerful natural medicines, with risks,
side effects and concerns that can even mimic those of
prescription drugs.
It's critical that you fully research the impact a single
ingredient can have, particularly if you are being treated for
any serious medical condition. And always discuss natural
supplements when reviewing your list of medications with your
physician.
Through the Members Alert and the e-Alert, we always include all
known interactions and concerns whenever reporting on a specific
treatment. We will also continue to keep you apprised of any
possible problems that might arise from treatments that are
counter-indicated for any medical conditions. And we encourage
you to share your stories with us through e-mail, like Bob did,
and with your fellow members through the forum on our website
(www.hsibaltimore.com).
Also, if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with
prostate cancer, I strongly recommend you visit Dr. Myers' web
site (www.prostateforum.com). He has personal insight on the
toll prostate cancer can take on you, and a remarkable track
record for helping men battle and manage this disease.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute
Sources:
The Prostate Forum: Vol. 4, Number 6, June 1999,
www.prostateforum.com
The Prostate Forum: Vol. 5, Number 2, Feb. 2000
Doctor's Guide: www.pslgroup.com |
