The Prostate Nutritional Intervention Study

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What is novel about the supplements made for this study:

The new phytochemical rich supplement YourPhyto  contains the same quantities of pomegranate, broccoli, green tea and turmeric, shown to be beneficial in an original study, by the same research group but it utilises advances in food safety and technology. This includes purification and measurement and standardisation of the candidate phytochemical ensuring each maintains its effectiveness and safety. What is more, traditionally, supplements either have extracts of plants or dried whole plants – uniquely, this new supplement has both. This has, not only, ensured a wide spectrum of synergistically acting natural elements from the whole plant, but significantly higher levels of the most active phytochemicals responsible for the health benefits.

Furthermore, since 2013 other foods have been shown to benefit men with prostate cancer, particularly cranberry and organic ginger, both of which have been added to this new design.  Cranberry has been shown to reduce markers of disease progression and help urinary urgency, especially if combined with other anti-inflammatory foods such as these. Ginger, helps with digestion and gut health and is a known bio-enhancer, meaning it promotes the absorption of healthy phytochemicals from other plants. As this capsule was specifically made for a national medical trial,  the ethical committee insisted on a level of quality assurance unprecedented in supplement manufacturing.

The second was a capsule which contained 5 non-histamine inducing, lactose secreting lactobacillus bacterial strains, combined with inulin, from chicory, and vitamin D. It was highlighted by the scientific committee that these two strategies work in synergy to improve gut health and hence reduce inflammation in the body, including the prostate.  Laboratory studies have already shown that manipulating gut bacteria can slow prostate cancer progression but until now, no clinical studies in men, have evaluated combining phytochemicals with probiotics.

Trial design and results

This double blind randomised clinical trial recruited 212 men with early but progressing prostate cancer. Men were given the opportunity to try these nutritional interventions before considering radical treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy or hormone therapies, which have significant risks and toxicities that impact quality of life. None of the men in the study were taking any other treatments for their prostate cancer.

Trial results

The trial found that rate of progression of Prostate Specific Antigen (a marker of their disease), substantially slowed after taking the Phytochemical supplement – at a much greater rate than previous interventions. More importantly, the average PSA then fell over the next 4 months, in the group randomised to take the additional probiotic supplement, as opposed to placebo. MRI scans taken before and after the intervention supported the PSA findings.

Improvements in well-being: What was particularly welcomed by men was that their urinary symptoms, such as urgency or getting up at night improved by 20%. For 12% of men even erectile function improved.

Grip strength and Markers of longevity: Low grip strength (GS) is a practical biomarker for increasing age, chronic degenerative disease, including cancer. In younger people, particularly athletes, phytochemical-rich foods and probiotics have independently been shown to improve strength and performance. Robust trials evaluating their combined synergistic properties before this trial were lacking, especially in an older population or those looking to help themselves after prostate cancer.