The sweet and sour taste of cranberries packs more than just sensations for your palate. Cranberry is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, according to vitamins-supplements.org, and has historically been used for urinary concerns. New evidence is cropping up in the fight against prostate cancer, and cranberry extracts are getting some attention. Cranberry extracts are not regulated by the FDA, and they are not guaranteed to work. Mayoclinic.com does not recommend cranberry extract as a treatment for any type of urinary disorder.
Prostate Information
According to Mayoclinic.com, it is common to see prostate enlargement in men as they age. Called benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH, it can cause urinary issues, and if left untreated, the enlarged prostate can block the flow of urine. The prostate is responsible for producing semen in males, and the gland sits below the bladder, states the website. The urethra, the tube that transports urine, passes directly through the prostate on its way out of the body. At this point, doctors and researchers are unsure what exactly causes the prostate to enlarge, although it is hypothesized that sex hormone changes may play some role, says the website. If you have symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, such as slow or stopped urination, be sure to see your doctor before trying any new supplements or medications.
Cranberry Components
The cranberry fruit, or Vaccinium macrocarpon, has many different constituents that pique the interest of the medical community. "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research" published an article in June 2008 that described the various compounds in cranberry extracts that had cancer fighting potential. The research study at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth found that phytochemicals such as flavonol, anthocyanin glycosides, and triterpenoids were likely contributors to reducing cancer cell activity.
Cranberry and Urinary Concerns
Because urinary concerns are often associated with BPH, you may have thought that cranberry extracts can help with your symptoms. Cranberry extracts have been found to be helpful with urinary tract infections, or UTI, particularly in preventing recurrence in cases of chronic UTIs. A study at the University of Minnesota used cranberry extracts on women with a history of UTIs. Published in the journal Drugs in 2009, the researchers concluded that cranberry extract can potentially be used in the prevention of recurrent UTIs in young and middle-aged women. Although this study is promising, cranberry extracts are not specifically intended for urinary issues associated with BPH.
Cranberry Extracts and Prostate Cancer
Although not necessarily proved to help with BPH urinary concerns, cranberry extracts have been found to be helpful in fighting and preventing several types of cancer. The Journal of Cellular Biochemistry published an article in July of 2010 that discussed the effectiveness of proanthocyanidins, compounds found in cranberry extracts, in prostate cancer research. The compounds were found to inhibit specific proteins in prostate cancer cells, leading the researchers to believe that cranberry extracts "are a strong candidate for further research as novel anti-cancer agents."
Another study published in Anticancer Research in October 2009 used a novel mixture that included cranberry extracts on mice to determine its effect on prostate cancer cells. The article states that the botanical mixture had no toxicity to the mice, but had significant anticancer activities in prostate cancer cells.
Considerations
Research seems promising, but more studies are needed to determine the use of cranberry extracts in treating prostate concerns. Consult your doctor if you are thinking of trying these supplements.
References
- Mayoclinic.com: Prostate Information
- Molecular Nutrition and Food Research; Anticancer activities of cranberry phytochemicals: an update; Neto, CC, Amoroso, JW, and Liberty, AM; June 2008
- Mayoclinic.com: Cranberry Information
- "Drugs"; Cranberry and urinary tract infections; Guay, DR; 2009
- Anticancer Research; The effect of a novel botanical agent TBS-101 on invasive prostate cancer in animal models; Evans, S et al; October 2009
