The long awaited results of the latest cancer nutritional intervention study were published in the acclaimed medical Journal European Urology Oncology, last week. This is now the World’s largest, up-to-date and most scientifically comprehensive evaluation of a bespoke dietary intervention. It provides essential scientific evidence for oncologists, urologists and nutritionists as well as as practical guidance and resources for people with cancer, interested in self help strategies
In a nutshell this double blind randomised trial showed that men combining two capsules a day of the probiotic now called YourgutPlus with two capsules a day of a new generation phytochemical rich food capsule called YourPhyto statistically significantly had:
- Slowed prostate cancer progression measured by PSA and MRI
- Improved urinary symptoms and erectile function
- Reduced blood markers of systemic inflammation
- Enhanced grip strength and other markers of longevity
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What is novel about the supplements made for this study:
The new phytochemical rich capsule YourPhyto contains the same quantities of pomegranate, broccoli, green tea and turmeric, shown to be beneficial in a previous study, by the same research group but it now utilises further advances in food safety and technology. This includes purification, measurement and standardisation of the candidate phytochemical ensuring each capsule 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 ensures a wide spectrum of synergistically acting natural elements from the whole plant, but also boosts levels of the most active phytochemicals responsible for the health benefits.
Furthermore, since 2013 other foods have demonstrated independent benefits, 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.
The second was a capsule, now known as Yourgutplus, contains 5 non-histamine inducing, lactose secreting lactobacillus bacterial strains, combined with inulin from chicory, and vitamin D. The Yourgutplus+ supplement was previously evaluated and found to be beneficial in the UK national COVID nutritional intervention study and was chosen for the current covid vaccine support study – so has an excellent track record.
Rational for the Study: The existing research, highlighted by the scientific committee, shows that boosting phytochemicals intake and probiotics work in synergy to improve gut health, reduce inflammation in the body and has numerous other potential benefits not only for cancer but symptoms related to treatments. PlLaboratory studies have already shown that manipulating gut bacteria can slow prostate cancer progression but until now, no clinical studies in men, up to now, had evaluated combining phytochemicals with probiotics.
High safety profile: As both these capsules were specifically made for national medical trials the ethical committee insisted on a level of quality assurance unprecedented in supplement manufacturing.
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.
In conclusion:
This new phytochemical rich food blend, significantly slowed PSA progression, improved urinary symptoms and erectile function in men with prostate cancer. In addition, this is the World’s first double blind RCT to demonstrate that an intervention aiming to improve gut health further reduced PSA progression using a novel blend of probiotics. Hopefully, these findings will encourage more nutritional and microbiome related research in men with PCa. Evidence based information, such as this, will empower men make informed dietary choices which will help them improve their well-being avoid the toxicities of more invasive medical or surgical treatments which would have a negative effect on their quality of life.
Abstract: Pubmed
Read full paper: European Urology Oncology Thomas R, Kenfield S, Williams M, Newton RU, Mitra A, Frazili Z Oct 2025