At least some of the ED drugs work basically by enhancing nitric oxide availability, as I understand it.

It turns out that pomegranate juice also enhances nitric oxide availability. :) There is a growing body of research documenting the relationship of pomegranate juice and nitric oxide, and at least one study involving pomegranate elements and ED in rabbits, though I didn't think rabbits suffered from ED. ;)

You can read what medical research has to say (or try to read it, the language is pretty technical) by going to our free Government web site www.pubmed.gov and searching for " nitric oxide AND pomegranate ", and then clicking on the list of authors (in blue hypertext), to get view an abstract of the paper (if there is one). I just did the search and got 11 hits. Here are excerpts from the one that seemed closest to the ED issue (the one with the rabbit research). Usually the introductions and conclusions of these studies are written in language that is easy to understand.

"J Urol. 2005 Jul;174(1):386-93 Oxidative stress in arteriogenic erectile dysfunction: prophylactic role of antioxidants.

Azadzoi KM, Schulman RN, Aviram M, Siroky MB.
Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. kazadzoi@bu.edu

PURPOSE: We ... examined the effect of long-term antioxidant intake on arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) in the rabbit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antioxidant activity of known antioxidant beverages, such as pomegranate juice (PJ), red wine, blueberry juice, cranberry juice, orange juice and green tea, was examined spectrophotometrically. PJ demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging capacity. The effect of long-term PJ intake on intracavernous blood flow and penile erection was then examined in the rabbit model. Erectile tissues were processed to assess oxidative stress and smooth muscle relaxation, immunohistochemical staining of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and histomorphometry. RESULTS: ... Long-term PJ intake increased intracavernous blood flow, improved erectile response and smooth muscle relaxation in ED and control groups while having no significant effect on NOS expression. PJ intake prevented erectile tissue fibrosis in the ED group. CONCLUSIONS: ... Antioxidant therapy may be a useful prophylactic tool for preventing smooth muscle dysfunction and fibrosis in ED."

As many of us have learned since July 2006 that pomegranate juice also appears to have a powerful impact on prostate cancer. In a study done of men recurring after treatment, 8 ounces of PomWonderful pomegranate juice daily more than trippled their PSA doubling times, a wonderful outcome! :angel: That research, published in July 2006, is the 5th hit in the search for " nitric oxide AND pomegranate " (as of today), and, since the paper has a pages icon with green heading beside it, the full paper is now available to us for free. Just click on the item to get access. We need to keep in mind that the study was funded by the PomWonderful manufacturers, and favorable outcomes in a study funded by a manufacturer always raises a question mark. However, I've learned that the UCLA team that did the work is very highly regarded. While the team apparently found increased impact with more than 8 ounces of the juice, 8 ounces was what they considered best in order for patients to avoid excess sugar from the beverage.

Now it appears we can get an even greater benefit from pomegranate extract capsules. These don't have sugar, so the equivalent of a lot more than 8 ounces of juice can be packed into each one.

I'm a fellow survivor with no enrolled medical education, so I cannot speak with medical authority, and you need to draw your own conclusions or perhaps get medical advice about the use of pomegranate juice or capsules. At least one of the medical experts I follow is enthusiastic about the value of pomegranates for prostate cancer patients.

This pomegranate research looks to me like very good news. :)

Jim

I was dx'd in 2006 with prostate cancer. Being frightened, I asked my urologist about treatments like you suggest. I didn't want to subject myself to standard treatments like surgery, radiation, etc. but rather to embark on a path of aggressive nutritional remedies. After he was done laughing, his reply to me was to give me an article that he suggested I read which included the following text...

“The ideas of homeopathy are scientifically implausible and directly opposed to modern pharmaceutical knowledge. Claims for the efficacy of homeopathy are unsupported by the collected weight of scientific and clinical studies. This lack of convincing evidence supporting its efficacy, along with its stance against modern scientific ideas, have caused homeopathy to be regarded as "placebo therapy at best and quackery at worst" in the words of a recent medical review. Meta-analyses, which compare the results of many studies, face difficulty in controlling for the combination of publication bias and the fact that studies of homeopathy are generally flawed in design. However, a recent meta-analysis comparing homeopathic clinical trials with those of conventional medicines has shown that any effects are unlikely to be beyond that of placebo. Homeopaths are also accused of giving 'false hope' to patients who might otherwise seek effective conventional treatments. Many homeopaths advise against standard medical procedures such as vaccination, and some homeopaths even advise against the use of anti-malarial drugs.”

My urologist explained that, maybe if I had been a nutritional freak since birth, I wouldn’t be sitting in his office talking about prostate cancer treatments. However, hindsight being 20/20, aggressive nutrition was not the lifetime path that I took so the discussion is moot.

QUESTION: Are you suggesting that using Pomegranate juice/capsules will have any substantial effect on ED and/or prostate cancer "after" it has been diagnosed?

... QUESTION: Are you suggesting that using Pomegranate juice/capsules will have any substantial effect on ED and/or prostate cancer "after" it has been diagnosed?

Hi Able5,

In a word, yes for recurrent prostate cancer, but the ED part is news to me. That said, the findings and mechanism of biological action regarding ED make sense; I hope it proves true.

Furthermore, regarding the recurrent PC part, the evidence of a very favorable impact from pomegranate elements is persuasive, though not yet conclusive. To be conclusive, we need replication with confirmation by other researchers, hopefully with a study not funded by a source with a financial interest in a favorable outcome. But back to the study: the key study was well-done, was conducted by a highly regarded team at a highly regarded cancer and nutrition institution (UCLA) with experts including a winner of the Nobel Prize, had impressive results, was published in a prestigious, peer reviewed journal that is one of the bibles for urologists, and results with patients in at least one well-known clinic not connected with the researchers are very encouraging. :)

A note of caution: one leading expert in prostate cancer and nutrition has advised that the potency (accidental pun here ;)) of pomegranate juice for our needs is often reduced by lack of refrigeration and light. One leading brand is refrigerated until delivery, but there may be some exposure to periods of light. (It was the brand used in the study, and it is rather expensive.) I haven't been able to find information on how much of an effect light and temperature have. Of course, capsules do not have this problem.

Please read at least the abstract of the paper on prostate cancer and pomegranate and let us know what you think. I think the impact on doubling time is striking. :angel: I'm looking forward to studying the whole paper on pomegranate juice to slow down doubling time. You can find the abstract and paper at www.pubmed.gov searching for " pomegranate AND prostate cancer AND pantuck [au] AND leppert [au] ", then click on the authors list for the abstract, and in the colored block in the upper right for the full free paper. If you shorten the search to just " pomegranate AND prostate cancer ", you will see other papers on the subject.

My own doubling time has recently accelerated, and I may be nearing the point where I go on low dose thalidomide to delay a return to full hormonal blockade. :( Up til now I have been sporadic and casual in using pomegranate elements. :( As of today, I will be taking four capsules a day for a while. That's well above the usually recommended one or two a day, but I have a medical contact who thinks that would be advisable in some cases. It will be interesting (!) to see if I am one of the patients who responds with a slowed doubling time. There is a slight risk that one of the agents in pomegranate may reduce the breakdown of other medications (same mechanism of action as grapefruit juice, but much weaker), somewhat increasing the dose of the other medications. The medical source I have does not think that will be significant even with a dose of four capsules a day. Keep in mind that this is my own approach, and I have had no enrolled medical training. Also, the capsules are not cheap.

As for the urologist you mention, many urologists are ill versed in nutrition. :( Please be aware that this use of pomegranate elements is a far cry from homeopathy, which usually uses minute, sometimes undetectable traces of substances for its purported therapies. Also, pomegranate research is being conducted by mainstream medical researchers and published in mainstream journals. Moreover, the findings announced are quite clear and specific and easily testable. Remember that a great many of our accepted medications for all kinds of conditions are plant based. Just for instance, consider aspirin and willow bark.

Take care,

Jim

Forgive me for being somewhat skeptical about nutritional remedies. I watched my dad struggle with prostate cancer as he chose to take the nutritional remedy route. At the time the rave was "almond pits". His nutritionist told him to buy some sort of mail order almond pits in 5 pound cans. As I recall, they cost him a fortune. He was told to eat these things buy the handfuls several times a day and his cancer would go into remission. He was also told (by his urologist) that he was a very good candidate for successful RRP surgery. Being frightened to death of surgery and hospitals, he began his almond pit regimen and continued it for several months. His cancer got worse. The tumor got bigger inside the gland. So, he ate more almond pits. Several months later he was told his cancer spread outside the capsule. More almond pits! A year into the almond pit therapy they found that his cancer spread to the bone. He was told that his best chance was hormone treatments and chemotherapy, surgery was no longer an option. More almond pits but he finally accepted the need for hormone and chemo treatments and radiation at the end! Regretfully, he died a year later. Surgery up front would probably have been helpful and he may have gotten a few more years.

I like your final disclaimer where you say, "I'm a fellow survivor with no enrolled medical education, so I cannot speak with medical authority, and you need to draw your own conclusions or perhaps get medical advice about the use of pomegranate juice or capsules."

As for me and the history of my dad and his experience with nutritional remedies, I'm glad I opted for da Vinci surgery in the early stages.

Best wishes selling that pomegranate juice!:angel:

I can see people trying pomengranate for ED. It couldn't hurt. In the recommended dosage only. It is an awesome antioxidant. But for cancer treatment, I don't buy it... the theory or the pills.

I know too many people with cancer that went this route, homeopathy. They overdosed on all kinds of "healthy" alternatives. One that was recently buried. Sadly, it seemed to accelerate the process.

Good healthy eating, fruits (including pomengranate) and vegetables, goes a long way. Helps the body heal itself. But rid cancer altogether, I don't believe in. Sorry

Forgive me for being somewhat skeptical about nutritional remedies. I watched my dad struggle with prostate cancer as he chose to take the nutritional remedy route. At the time the rave was "almond pits". His nutritionist told him to buy some sort of mail order almond pits in 5 pound cans. As I recall, they cost him a fortune. ...Best wishes selling that pomegranate juice!:angel:

Ouch! :( A bit harsh there, don't you think?

A couple of points. First, I'm not selling anything. In fact, I'm concerned I may have held off too long in buying the capsules and have not been regular at all with the juice because of the expense. Also, I have been concerned about the amount of calories from sugar in the juice. Not that it has more than other fruit juices, but most fruit juices do have a lot of sugar, and that can contribute to weight, something I'm working to control.

Second, I really would like your opinion of the scientific evidence. What you have provided is a personal story. It's one that I can well understand as I had a close relative who followed a similar route. But there is no scientific evidence at all for " almond pits AND prostate cancer ", I know that because I just did that search in www.pubmed.gov, while there is respectable evidence for pomegranate and prostate cancer.

Debbie - You treat pomegranate juice and capsule use as if it is homeopathy. It is clearly not homeopathy. Check the definition. Also, I don't know any responsible researcher or physician who claims pomegranate juice or capsules can rid the body of prostate cancer. I personally do not believe that based on the evidence. What I do believe is there is a good chance it slows the PSA doubling time, which is an excellent marker for the progress of the cancer.

There is a lot of alternative medicine stuff that is pure snake oil. But there is some that has merit. Science is the test.

May I point out that neither of you seem to have read the abstract I mentioned. I am a bit surprised that neither of you looked at the scientific evidence. It only takes a few minutes to look at the abstract of the main paper I mentioned, and a few more to look at the others.

If we don't use the science that is available to us, how do we rise above anecdotes and limited personal experience?

Jim

Harsh?

I don't think so. Just typical web-forum banter (banter: to speak to or address in a witty and teasing manner)...

Merely "non-professionals" sharing opinions, both pro and con.

Sounds like you were offended, for which I'm truly sorry...

Regardless, I'll pass on the Pomegranate juice/capsules.

Adios!

Okay, understood. Jim