Natural Health: Prostate cancer

Q. My father has been receiving treatment for prostate cancer, and I was wondering if you could recommend something that I can take to address this issue before it happens, so to speak.

I am 35, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.

A. You have done most of the hard work already, by eating a healthy diet and making exercise a priority. The prostate is a small gland located at the neck of the bladder, and is often mistakenly linked with urinary flow since difficulties in passing urine is often one of the first signs that all is not well with the prostate. It is actually a very important part of the reproductive system, but because it is located around the urethra, any swelling causes urinary flow issues.

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a herb that works by triggering the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the prostate gland. It has been proven to outperform many commonly prescribed prostate drugs, so it is an important remedy for prostate health.

Eating plenty of nuts and seeds, particularly pumpkin seeds (pepitas), means that you get plenty of zinc, a key mineral for male reproductive health, along with potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, selenium, copper, phosphorus, vitamin E and the B vitamins.

If your father is interested in further information and support, then he might like to contact Men Against Cancer (MAC) — a support group run by men who have been successfully treated for prostate or testicular cancer. Their aim is to provide reassurance and information for men dealing with this disease. MAC have a FreeFone Cancer Helpline on 1800 200 700 (open Mon to Fri), and can also be e-mailed at [e-mail].

Q. I recently read about turmeric being an effective natural remedy for IBS. I bought some capsules and was wondering how many I should take to get some results?

A. Turmeric is indeed an effective remedy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), along with a number of other intestinal issues and disorders such as loss of appetite, indigestion, and intestinal inflammation. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used as both a culinary spice and as a medicinal remedy since around 600BC. It contains beneficial minerals — manganese, iron, potassium — but what really gives turmeric such a high place in traditional Ayurveda, and now in Western herbalism, is the active agent curcumin.

The main reason why turmeric is indicated for IBS is because it contains a bitter principle, which stimulates bile flow and encourages the production of digestive juices. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory – which is not only good for intestinal health, it has been shown to help with arthritis and allergies as well.

As far as taking capsules is concerned take one to two capsules, three times daily with your meals. However, at around €20 for 30-60 capsules, I would suggest that when you run out, you simply purchase some organic turmeric powder.

You can get enough just by adding turmeric powder (even better, freshly grated turmeric root if you are lucky enough to find some) to curries, rice, and other foods on a daily basis, or you can make a simple nourishing spice drink that is good for circulation, digestion, heart health, brain health, respiratory health, and skin health.

Gently heat a cup of almond milk, and stir in ½ tsp of turmeric powder, ½ tsp of cinnamon, ¼ tsp of ginger, and a tsp of honey — you can also add a pinch of cayenne. This has to be my favourite way to take turmeric, and you can feel it working throughout your body within minutes.