Natural health with Megan Sheppard

A friend, who is about 68, has been using natural therapies for prostate cancer quite successfully for the past year, but recently had his PSA levels tested and they are creeping up again. 

What else he can do to get these levels back to normal?

PSA blood level testing is used to measure the level of prostate specific antigen, (PSA), in the blood. PSA is usually secreted in small amounts by the prostate gland, where normal levels are considered to be around 0-4 ng/mL (nanograms per millilitre).

This test result, typically combined with a rectal examination, is generally used to determine whether a biopsy of the prostate gland is necessary.

PSA levels measuring between 4-10 ng/mL are considered to be slightly elevated; levels between 10-20 ng/mL are considered to be moderately elevated; a reading above 20ng/mL is categorised as highly elevated. While higher PSA levels can indicate the possibility of cancer, there are a number of factors that can cause levels to fluctuate.

For example, men who are being treated with hormone therapy for prostate cancer will need to wait at least a few months before having their PSA levels checked since the therapy can cause a false low PSA reading.

Lycopene is thought to play a significant role in protecting against prostate cancer since it works by decreasing PSA levels. One of the best sources of lycopene is cooked tomato products (tomato paste, tomato puree, and even tomato sauce).

Studies suggest that you should aim for 10 or more servings of cooked or raw tomato products every week in order to reduce your prostate cancer risk by an impressive 35%.

In men aged 50 or older, around 15 in every 100 men will show PSA levels higher than 4 ng/ml. It is important to note that only three of these 15 men will actually have cancer.

Another prostate condition to be aware of is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), where the cells in the prostate gland increase in number.

This leads to an increase in the size of the prostate and restricts urinary flow, often creating a sense of urgency due to the pressure on the bladder.

The herb saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) works by triggering the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the prostate gland, and has been proven scientifically to outperform many commonly prescribed prostate drugs. It’s an important remedy to consider for the prevention and treatment of prostate issues.

I have found that I bruise more easily as I have gotten older. I am only 37, but I have noticed a difference when I bump my leg on the corner of a table or something, the bruise is not necessarily that painful, but looks very impressive.

At your age, bruising shouldn’t be too much more than a minor inconvenience — as skin ages it does become more fragile and the underlying blood vessels are more prone to damage. However, I’m not sure that 37 is old enough to warrant such an extreme reaction to small bumps and scrapes.

It is worth checking first with your health practitioner to identify or rule out any underlying issues that may be at the root of this bruising — such as a clotting disorder, an immune system problem, or even a side effect of any medications you are taking.

Vitamins C and K are both recommended topically and internally to help prevent and heal bruising. Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting and is used topically (usually as a 1% cream) to help fade bruises rapidly, including the purpura senilis experienced by people over the age of 70 years.

Internally, you want to take around 80mcg of vitamin K per day. Alfalfa sprouts are high in vitamin K, as are leafy greens, fruits, seeds, and clarified butter (ghee).

Vitamin C is thought to help by strengthening the collagen around blood vessels – taken orally at a dosage of around 1-3,000mg daily. Topical vitamin C products (10% strength) can help target specific bruise-prone areas of the skin. This will help to prevent bruising, but isn’t of much use in diminishing a bruise after the fact.