Saturday, January 17, 2009

What You Need To Know On Prostate Vitamins

By Mayra Sinclair

You've been exercising, eating right " and taking prostate vitamins, secure in the thought that these healthy little pills will help prevent prostate cancer. But will they? If you check the world wide web, you'll find a startling difference between various sites reporting on the subject.

And then again, perhaps your eye will be caught by lurid headlines claiming studies have proven prostate vitamins actually cause cancer.

Which version should you trust?

I checked the original study report, and discovered that certain members of the media have once again been playing their favorite game " twisting facts and taking them out of context. Going over the report with a fine tooth comb showed that the risk of cancer increased in just over 11% of 1,476 cancer-stricken subjects. This was cited as being directly related to ignoring safe dosage recommendations for prostate vitamins in the mistaken belief that more is better.

Beware Of Unexpected Side Effects

Karla A. Lawson, who directed the study, concluded that "the relationship between multivitamin use and prostate cancer is unclear", minimizing a connection between vitamins and early prostate cancer. However, she did amend that by documenting the suspicious rise in aggressive cancer among those males who overused supplements and vitamins.

Its tempting to start treating yourself prophylactically if your family has a history of cancer of the prostate, especially if you are no longer young. Lawsons study seems to firmly caution against this.

The truth is, its not a good idea to overdo any health regime. Moderation should be the key " and dosing oneself without guidance can actually cause serious harm in that it can trick you into thinking you don't need that doctors checkup.

The best way to prevent prostate cancer may not be exciting to hear, and its certainly not rocket science. But it could easily mean your life.

# Eat healthily

* Even if its only a walk in the morning and some simple stretches, make sure you regularly participate in some form of exercise

* Pay attention to your sleep habits - insomnia can cause a world of hurts

* Develop the habit of choosing a optimistic, positive outlook

# And yes " you can take prostate vitamins " but don't overdo it by a single capsule!

* And that last, important tip " if you are over 50, do get your prostate gland checked out by your family physician regularly. Its a simple examination " and it may save more than your life! - 16004

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