Promegranate Juice May Slow Prostate Cancer According to UCLA Study - Cancer: Prostate Message Board

builder · 08-20-2008, 08:19 PM

A study at ULCA showed that men given 8 oz of Pomegranate juice a day showed a slow down in the growth of prostate cancer cells and PSA levels.

shs50 · 08-21-2008, 03:41 PM

Was the study paid for by the Pomegranite producers? Seriously, there's no hard science proving that any nutritional supplements can prevent or cure prostate cancer. I tried Saw Palmetto and Lukeine's (tomato extracts) for 7 years before I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Those were the big ideas back in the nineties. Tahitian Noni juice came along later as the prevent anything, cure anything natural elixir which never proved out except by those selling and promoting it.
However thats not to say that sensible use of nutritional supplements won't support good health, energy and the immune system. Of course they do when used judiciously. Much as we'd like it, cancer isn't prevented, cured or effectively treated with vitamins, herbals or supplements despite the claims of their manufacturers and promoters. Anecdotal testimonials are no substitute for good science.

csyleen · 08-22-2008, 03:42 PM

This study didn't say it was a cure. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the UCLA study was done for men who already had prostate cancer and had a rise in PSA levels after treatment. What it showed was that Pomegranate juice significantly slowed the rise in PSA levels over those no taking the juice. So supposedly the juice slowed the growth of cancer cells quite a bit.

shs50 · 08-23-2008, 10:32 AM

Perhaps it slowed the rise a bit. But was the slowdown clinically significant as compared with Hormone Blockade which stops it dead in its tracks for the many years before it becomes hormone refractory? With recurrance of prostate cancer after primary treatment the goal is to eradicate as much of the recurring cancer as possible as quickly as possible with either local radiation following surgery and/or hormone blockade. I suspect the effect of the Pomegranate Juice may be too mild to qualify as first line therapy, although it certainly can't hurt.
Pomegranate extract is currently considered an excellant and potent anti-oxidant which supports the immune system and helps ward off infections and inflammatory conditions. I use it myself as part of my health maintenance regimen. However I'd never rely on any of the many supplements I use as primary treatment for any acute or serious illness.

dustydigger · 08-23-2008, 11:49 PM

Thank you shs50 for taking the time to comment on this study. You are absolutely right in your assessment.

This study was "conducted at the University of California in Los Angeles and published in the July 1st, 2006 edition of Clinical Cancer Research. It should be noted that funding for this study was provided by a company that produces Pomegranate juice."

This study was "funded by the owners of POM Wonderful Co., the maker of the pomegranate juice used in the study."

Good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle is very important for everyone, at any age. Beyond that, if a magic pill that slowed or stopped cancer really did exist, it would be a headline on page one of every newspaper in the world. And the finder or discoverer would be richer than Bill Gates. I really beleive that in the not so distant future, the medical world will find a cure for virtually all disease.