Green Tea Polyphenon E Capsules Decelerate Prostate Cancer

Researchers report a green tea extract in Polyphenon E capsules may decelerate the progression of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men.

Jim Cardelli of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and fellow researchers tested 26 prostate cancer patients . The patients ranged in age from 41 to 68.

The patients each took four Polyphenon E capsules a day for about a month before they had their prostates removed. The four Polyphenon E capsules are equivalent to drinking 12 cups of green tea.

Blood test results showed the Polyphenon E capsules lowered levels of proteins that tumors use to grow. There are three proteins associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer. The hepatocyte growth factor or HGF fell 18.9 per cent, the vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF fell by 9.9 percent and the prostate specific antigen PSA fell by 10.4 percent.  

HGF and VEGF are produced when tumors spread and some patients showed “significant” reduction levels of more than 30 per cent, Cardelli said.

“It’s still in an early stage. Green tea can keep cancer from growing very fast, but it may not be able to shrink tumors,” Cardelli added,”but it can be a good addition to traditional therapies like chemo or radiation.”

The report results were published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. The green tea Polyphenon E capsules that decelerate prostate cancer  are made by Polyphenon Pharma.

Ginger Relieves Nausea After Chemo

Ginger relieves nausea after chemo treatments according to results of a new study released Thursday by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Patients who started taking ginger capsules several days before chemo had fewer and less severe bouts of nausea.

The study used a specially formulated gelcap made by Alphios Corporation of Woburn,Mass. The 644 patients in the study were placed in four groups and given one of three doses of ginger (the equivalent of one-half, 1 or 1 and 1/2 grams of ginger per day). The lowest and middle dose gave the best results but all the ginger doses significantly reduced the nausea.

Taking the ginger three days before the chemo treatments allowed time for the ginger to be absorbed into the body.

Ginger caused no side effects in the study but people are advised to consult their own doctors before using ginger to relieve nausea after chemo.