Molecule Found In Mushrooms May Boost Prostate Cell Health

A team of scientists from Australia and Hong Kong foud out that polysaccharopeptide, a molecule found in turkey tail mushrooms, appears to be 100 percent effective in supporting normal prostate cell growth and turnover in mice. Read more here.

Infections Growing Risk for Prostate Biopsies

 According to Bloomberg News, the needle biopsies that follow an abnormally high PSA reading are increasingly resulting in infection by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as E. coli. Research shows that the risk of post-biopsy infection — while still small — has more than doubled in less than a decade, BN reports.

Cranberries Provide Eight-Hour Health Protection

Leading scientists met during the Fourth Cranberry Institute Health Research Conference to review the latest findings on the potential health benefits of cranberries. Cranberries are antioxidant-rich and contain unique proanthocyanidins (PACs) that are responsible for cranberries’ beneficial anti-adhesion properties.

Cranberry have been shown to protect against Escherichia coli, which is thought to be responsible for as much as 95% of urinary tract infections, and other strains of E. coli bacteria through anti-adhesion properties, so that pathogenic bacteria are unable to adhere to our cells, multiply and cause an infection.

Studies now reveal an eight-hour protection against certain harmful bacteria by cranberry juice and significant improvements in biomarkers for many chronic diseases.

Eating for Prostate Care

A new book “Eating for Prostate Care” (Kyle Books, 2009) describes foods that can reduce the risk for prostate cancer, such as foods rich in antioxidants or foods that reduce inflammation. Healthy foods improve the immune system allowing it to destroy cancer cells before they multiply to a dangerous level.

The authors list specific foods that studied for their potential to lower prostate cancer risk: allium vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, fish, and foods rich in lycopene, phytoestrogens and polyphenols. Find out more in this article from Health News Digest.

New Study Reveals the Power of Pomegranate Juice for Prostate Cancer

A new study (see Alternative Health Journal for full Article) shows that Pomegranate juice may slow the process of prostate cancer in post-cancer patients, according to research that was presented at the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association. The researchers found that men who had underwent treatment for localized prostate cancer can prevent a recurrence of the disease by drinking pomegranate juice.

A diet rich in vegetables may reduce the occurrence of BPH

A 2007 study by the  Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, shows that food rich in nutrients with antioxidant properties or that influence cell growth and differentiation might reduce the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  Vegetable consumption was inversely associated with BPH, whereas fruit intake was not. Consumption of fruit and vegetables rich in ß-carotene lutein, or vitamin C was inversely related to BPH. With increasing vitamin C intake from foods, men were less likely to have BPH.

Men who walk 2-3 hours per week have lower risk of BHP

A 1998 study by the  Harvard School of Public Health shows that men who walked two to three hours per week had a 25 percent lower risk of BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia). The study also  indicates that more physically active men have a lower frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms.

Doctors discover that Magnetic Therapy can accelerate Healing and ease Depression

Doctors are discovering that Magnetic Therpay can really can help wounds to heal faster as an  interesting article in the UK Independant points out, citing various studies using magnets to treat depression, spinal cord injuries, chronic pain and osteoarthritis.

Cited studies include Harvard University, where patients with osteoarthritis were given high-strength magnet and dummy sleeves for their knees, which they wore prolonged periods of time. The researchers found that the beneficial effects of the magnetic sleeve began to kick in after four hours, with a sevenfold difference between patients who had the real sleeve and those who had the sham device.

Researchers at the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth also found that osteoarthritis pain was helped by wearing a standard magnetic bracelet compared to a dummy one.

For a study at the University of Washington, researchers put a magnet on the shoulder of patients who had suffered chronic pain for many years as a result of spinal-cord injury. After the magnet was put on the shoulder for one hour, pain levels halved. Researchers in this study said that the therapy might work by the magnet acting on the nerves. . Another theory is that it has some kind of impact on the blood, and research in North Carolina with animals shows that blood flow is stimulated by the movement of magnetic fields through tissue.

Other theories suggest that magnet therapy has an effect on iron in the blood; improves oxygenation of the blood; alters the pH balance; improves electrical conductivity of cells; or stimulates new cell growth.

Researchers in Canada, who reviewed all the research on magnetic therapy and osteoarthritis, suggest that magnetic therapy works by stimulating new cartilage cells to grow.

Healing Value Of Magnets Demonstrated In Biomedical Study

A 2007 Biomedical Engineering Study by the University of Virginia shows that the application of a static magnetic field, produced by a permanent magnets,  can result in significant reduction of swelling when applied after an inflammatory injury. Magnets have been touted for their healing properties for hundreds of years.  Magnetic therapy is widely used today as an alternative method for treating many conditions, including arthritis, inflammation, or depression, but so far there has not been scientific proof that magnets can heal.

Study shows the benefits of donut cushions for chronic pelvic pain syndrom

^{A study of men with CPPS was undertaken to attempt to reduce the number of flareups, as well as treat flare-ups. Trauma to the perineum might be the primary cause of CPPS and protecting the perineum with an inflatable donut cushion while riding rough motor vehicles might prevent and treat CPPS. Results showed clearly that using an inflatable donut cushion while riding rough motor vehicles can dramatically reduce the number of flare-ups and treat flare-ups of CPPS}