Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that progresses slowly and may cause urinary symptoms, erectile dysfunction, bone pain and leg weakness. Although it is a serious condition that requires medical treatment, for the majority of men affected by this condition the prognosis is good, and many cases of remission and even cure have been recorded, according to Merck Manual. Besides adding more spice to food, garlic has been also researched for potential benefits in preventing and treating prostate cancer. Ask your doctor before taking garlic supplements for your condition.
Cancer Prevention
Garlic may protect men against developing prostate cancer, according to S. Salem and associates from the Urology Research Center at the Tehran University of Medicine. In a research study published in the December 2010 issue of "Nutrition and Cancer," the authors evaluated the link between diet and risk of prostate cancer. They concluded that diets rich in garlic and tomatoes may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, while high-fat diets increased the chance of developing the same condition.
Cancer Treatment
Key active ingredients of garlic can inhibit the growth of prostate tumor and the spread of prostate cancer cells to other organs, according to a study using animal models, published in the March 2007 issue of "Clinical Cancer Research." The authors focused the research on hormonal independent prostate cancer, but they indicate that their findings may also apply to other types of cancer. In this study, ingredients from garlic suppressed the growth of prostate tumor by 71 percent and reduced the spread of cancer to the lungs by 85 percent. More research in humans is needed to confirm these clinical findings.
Safety
Garlic may interact with certain drugs, especially blood thinners and anti-diabetes medication. Garlic should be not consumed in the days before surgery, because it increases the risk of bleeding. Side effects include mouth odor, stomach irritation and possible allergic reactions.
Considerations
To improve your overall health, the recommended dosage of garlic is 2 to 5g of fresh garlic, or one to two garlic cloves. Higher doses are needed for prostate conditions. If you suffer from prostate cancer, do not attempt to make any changes in your treatment or add natural supplements on your own. Consult a qualified practitioner specialized in nutrition to find out optimal dosage of daily intake of garlic, either in raw form or as a supplement. Daily consumption of more that 5g of garlic should be medically supervised.
References
- Merck Manual: Prostate Cancer
- PubMed.gov: Major Dietary Factors and Prostate Cancer Risk: A Prospective Multicenter Case-Control Study
- PubMed.gov: Garlic-derived S-allylmercaptocysteine is a Novel In Vivo Antimetastatic Agent for Androgen-independent Prostate Cancer
- National Cancer Institute: Garlic and Cancer Prevention: Questions and Answers
