| Quercetin
Sometimes referred to as the "natural antihistamine", quercetin
is a nutrient categorized as an antioxidant flavanoid. Quercetin
is found in many fruits and vegetables, with apples being
a particularly good source. Quercetin inhibits the release
of biochemicals that promote inflammation in the prostate
and elsewhere. 1,2 These chemicals include histamine,
leukotrines and prostaglandins (so named because they were
first discovered in prostate tissue). Chronic inflammation
is problematic anywhere in the body but especially so when
it occurs in the congested tissue of an enlarged prostate.
The prostate gland is encased in a tough fibromuscular sheath
called the prostatic capsule. This capsule is not able to
stretch to any great extent. Therefore inflammation, swelling
or enlargement of softer vascular and glandular tissue within
the capsule can impair circulation and urinary function. Quercetin
has also been shown to inhibit the release of tumor markers
like PSA and hK2 in prostate cancer cells. 3
Curcumin C3 Complex®
Curcumin C3 Complex® is a unique, patented extract of turmeric
(Curcuma longa) root. Turmeric has been a fixture in Ayurvedic
and Traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and its use
is increasing because of turmeric's versatility and safety.
The active compounds in turmeric, known as curcuminoids, can
benefit multiple body systems body in multiple ways. Supplement
makers have begun to include curcumin compounds into a broad
range of product categories; cardiovascular, detoxification
and inflammation formulas among them.
Prostate Elements™ includes Curcumin C3 Complex® primarily
because it provides natural support for inflammation and healthy
circulation.
- Curcumin's effects on inflammation arise from it's ability
to inhibit the formation of pro-inflammatory compounds.
4,5,6
- Curcumin's effects on circulation stem from it's ability
to inhibit platelet aggregation, a process that leads to
thicker blood and can lead to the formation of dangerous
blood clots. 7
- Curcuminoids have also been studied for their various
effects on prostate cancer cells.
- Studies suggest curcumin may enhance the effectiveness
of certain chemotherapeutic drugs used in prostate cancer.
8,9
- Curcumin C3 Complex® is standardized to contain high
concentrations of curcuminoids.10
To read more about Pure Prescription's Curcumin C3 Complex®
Click
Here To read the Health Notes entry on Turmeric,
Click
Here
The National Cancer Institute is currently developing curcumin
as a drug for the treatment of cancer. To read about it, Click
Here
Ellagic Acid
Ellagic acid is present in many red fruits and berries, including raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, pomegranate and some nuts including pecans and walnuts.11 Ellagic acid seems to have some anti-cancer properties. It can act as an antioxidant, and has been found to cause apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells in the lab.
Ellagic acid acts as scavenger to “bind” with cancer causing
chemicals, making them inactive.12
Sterols and Sterolins
Plant foods and unrefined oils provide nutrients called sterols
and sterolins. These compounds are structurally similar to
cholesterol but function in a very different way, providing
support to multiple body systems. Certain sterols such as
beta-sitosterol occur in herbs used in traditional medicine
(saw palmetto, stinging nettle, etc.).
Sterols and sterolins are used in a broad range of product
categories including immune support formulas (Moducare®),
cardiovascular/cholesterol formulas (CholestePure) and prostate
formulas (Prosta-Response, Prostasol). Sterol/sterolin compounds
are used in prostate formulas primarily for their effect on
BPH-related symptoms and clinical measurements.13,14
Prostate Elements incorporates an expensive but very high-quality
sterol and sterolin blend. It provides a broader range of
the most desirable sterols and sterolins in precise ratios,
unlike generic blends
Saw Palmetto extract
Saw palmetto is perhaps the best-known botanical substance
used for prostate health. It is rarely seen in any other kind
of product. A natural source of beta-sitosterol, saw palmetto
has been shown to be effective in some cases of BPH15,16
and has been studied for its effect on prostate cancer.
17,18 It may offer yet-undescribed benefits for
healthy prostates as well.
Although saw palmetto products have been popular since the
80's, it's still among the most important prostate herbals
and no prostate formula is really complete without a good
quality saw palmetto extract. We use a top-quality solvent-free
extract, standardized to a high potency of active sterols.
Flower Pollen extract (Graminex™ G63)
Supplemental flower pollen may promote prostate health and may have anti-inflammatory activity. 20Several studies have demonstrated positive effects for flower pollen extracts in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a flower pollen extract taken for six months achieved significant subjective improvement in 69% of patients receiving it, compared with 30% improvement in placebo subjects. Treated subjects had significantly decreased residual urine and significantly decreased antero-posterior diameter of the prostate on ultrasound. In some other studies, average and maximum urine flow rates have also significantly improved with flower pollen supplementation.
Stinging nettle extract
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioicia) extracts have traditionally
been used in products for allergies or urinary tract health
such as BPH-related symptoms. Prostate researchers found that
nettle compounds slow down or inhibit the process by which
hormone-protein complex binds to prostate cell membranes.
21
This may be it's mechanism of action in benefiting BPH. 22
Saw palmetto and stinging nettle are approved drugs in Germany
for the treatment of benign prostate enlargement and may help
healthy prostates remain healthy. Prostate Elements includes
a premium quality Stinging nettle extract. Besides benefiting
BPH, research has shown that nettle extract has an antiproliferative
effect on prostate cancer cells. 23
Lycopene (Lycomato®)
Lycopene is a red carotenoid found in foods like tomatoes,
pink grapefruit and watermelon. Lycopene functions as a powerful
antioxidant that benefits several body system besides the
prostate including the eyes, cardiovascular system and skin,
although most supplements using lycopene are prostate formulas.
Researchers continue to follow up on findings that suggest
a relationship between lycopene consumption and certain cancers
including prostate. 24,25,26
Prostate Elements™ uses Lyco-Mato® lycopene. Lycomato®
is the trademark for the premium lycopene extract available
to manufacturers.
Bioperine®
Bioperine® is known as "Nature's Bioavailability Enhancing Thermonutrient." It is a standardized extract from the fruit of Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper). It contains 95 percent of piperine. Bioperine® is the only product sourced out of piperine to obtain a patented status for its ability to increase the bioavailability of nutritional compounds. Secondly, it is the only source from piperine to have undergone clinical studies in the U.S. to substantiate its safety and efficacy for nutritional use.
Indole-3-carbinol
Scientists have identified specific extracts from cruciferous
vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.)
that modulate hormones in a way to help maintain healthy cell
division. For instance, animal studies have shown that the
cruciferous vegetable extract indole-3-carbinol (I3C) modulates
estrogen hormones by favorably changing the ratio of protective
2-hydroxyestrone versus the damaging 16-hydroxyestrone.1 Indole-3-carbinol
also induces phase I and II detoxifying enzymes that can help
neutralize estrogen metabolites and xenobiotic estrogen-like
environmental chemicals. Human studies support the beneficial
role of I3C in positively altering estrogen metabolism. Di-indolyl-methane
(DIM), a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables, has
been shown in animal studies to help maintain normal levels
of a potentially damaging estrogen called 4-hydroxyestrone.
For various reasons, rising estrogen levels are associated
with male mid-life (and beyond) and poor prostate health.
Prostate Elements II is designed to help buffer the effects of
estrogen on prostate health.
Zinc picolinate
The mineral zinc is used all over the body but the prostate
gland has the highest concentration of zinc. Zinc is needed
for the manufacture and function of enzymes; those which affect
the prostate directly and those affecting hormones which in
turn affect the prostate.
Optimal levels of zinc can inhibit the action of the aromatase
enzyme29, which convert testosterone to estrogen
and DHT (dihydrotestosterone), both of which can adversely
affect prostate health. Expert opinion about the optimal level
of zinc varies but 50 mgs a day would be a reasonable place
to set the bar for a mature man concerned with prostate health.
Dietary sources include seafood and meat but most people
probably don't get optimal levels of zinc on a consistent
daily basis. For this reason Prostate Elements includes a
modest amount of supplemental zinc in the form of zinc picolinate.
Boron citrate
Boron is another nutrient mineral, although less-studied than
zinc. Boron's role in the body is not yet completely understood
but it appears to improve the absorption and utilization of
some vitamins and minerals. 30,31 Some data suggest
an association between boron intake and prostate cancer. 32
Prostate
Elements™ includes boron in the form of highly absorbable
boron picolinate. |
Dr. Chad Larson
Overview of Prostate Element's ingredients
