(RxWiki News) Scientists have found that certain foods are really good for us. These so-called “super foods” are high in antioxidants which protect the body from stress that can lead to disease.
A new trial shows a supplement containing certain super foods may help treat prostate cancer.
Pomi-T supplements contain pomegranate, green tea, broccoli and turmeric, a spice commonly used in Indian foods. These foods have shown anti-cancer properties in both human cells and animal models.
A recent trial found that prostate cancer patients who took the supplement saw smaller increases in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels compared with patients who took a sugar pill.
"Tell your doctor about all vitamins and supplements you take."
Robert Thomas, MD, a consultant oncologist at Bedford Hospital and Addenbrooke's Hospital, in the United Kingdom, led the randomized study that involved 203 men with localized (had not spread) prostate cancer.
Men in the study were an average of 74 years old. Participants were randomly chosen to take either a placebo (sugar pill) or a supplement that contained pomegranate seed, green tea, broccoli and turmeric for six months.
The men who took the supplement saw a median (middle) rise in PSA of 14.7 percent compared to 78.5 percent increase in men on placebo.
At the time the trial finished, 46 percent of the treated men had lower or stable PSA versus 14 percent of those who received a placebo.
“This study found a statistically significant short-term favourable effect on the percentage rise in PSA in these men managed with observation following intake of this specific food supplement,” the author wrote.
This study was presented at the 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.
“Eating foods or taking supplements that are chock-full of anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative flavonoids and polyphenols has once again made international headlines,” Brian D. Lawenda, MD, clinical director of Radiation Oncology at 21st Century Oncology in Las Vegas, told dailyRx News.
“At the 2013 annual ASCO meeting, researchers announced preliminary study results indicating significantly slower cancer growth when men diagnosed with prostate cancer took the supplement POMI-T compared to a placebo,” said Dr. Lawenda, who is founder of www.IntegrativeOncology-Essentials.com.
He continued, “As an integrative oncologist, I currently recommend to my patients that they make it a point to consume the whole food versions of the compounds used in this study (green tea, broccoli, pomegranate and turmeric) and other botanicals rich in numerous phytonutrients, since preclinical experiments have suggested that they may work synergistically in impairing cancer development, growth and progression.”
Dr. Lawenda concluded, “For those individuals who may not be able to consume adequate amounts of these foods, taking a supplement like Pomi-T may be an attractive alternative. I look forward to reading the final published POMI-T study in a peer-reviewed journal."
Study authors cautioned, “Although many men would see this as useful addition to their self-help strategies, future trials should look at the longer-term clinical benefits particularly in terms of preventing medical intervention.”
All research is considered preliminary before it is published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The UK National Cancer Research Network funded the study. No conflicts of interest were discovered.
