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- “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research”; In Vitro and in Vivo Modulation of Testosterone Mediated Alterations in Apoptosis Related Proteins by [6]-Gingerol; Y. Shukla et al; January 2007
- “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research”; In Vitro and in Vivo Modulation of Testosterone Mediated Alterations in Apoptosis Related Proteins by [6]-Gingerol; Y. Shukla et al; January 2007
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Ginger & the Prostate
The prostate is a male reproductive gland that makes seminal fluid, the main carrier of sperm cells. Prostate gland health is a widely discussed medical topic because so many American men experience benign prostate enlargement or cancer. According to the “Professional Guide to Diseases,” prostate cancer has become the second most common cancer among American men and prostate enlargement affects at least half of men by the age of 50. Herbal remedies, such as ginger, can promote the health of your prostate, but consulting with your doctor and an herbalist before embarking on a supplement regimen is recommended.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Nutrients in Ginger
Ginger is the rhizome, or upper root, of the Zingiber officinale plant, which is indigenous to southern Asia and used by native peoples as a food, spice and medicine. Ginger root is sometimes pickled before it’s eaten, but also ground or sliced raw. Ginger is high in potassium and manganese, and is a good source of phosphorus; magnesium; calcium; beta-carotene; iron; zinc; and vitamins A, C, E and B-complex, as cited in the “American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide.” Vitamins A, C and E and beta-carotene are strong antioxidants that can protect your prostate from harmful free radicals, which are linked to accelerated tissue aging and cancerous development 2. Vitamin C and zinc stimulate the immune system, which protects the prostate from bacterial infection and inflammation.
- Ginger is the rhizome, or upper root, of the Zingiber officinale plant, which is indigenous to southern Asia and used by native peoples as a food, spice and medicine.
- Ginger is high in potassium and manganese, and is a good source of phosphorus; magnesium; calcium; beta-carotene; iron; zinc; and vitamins A, C, E and B-complex, as cited in the “American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide.”
A 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor
Turmeric, Ginger and Cancer
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Ginger contains compounds that inhibit a specific enzyme that metabolizes a substance that is needed for prostate cancer proliferation, according to “Human Biochemistry and Disease.” Specifically, ginger inhibits the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), which is needed to metabolize arachidonic acid into a chemical called 5-HETE 3. In turn, 5-HETE is used as nourishment by prostate cancer cells, but cannot be produced in the presence of natural 5-LO inhibitors such as ginger and green tea. Cultures that consume large amounts of ginger and green tea, such as Japan, have lower incidence and mortality rate from prostate cancer, as cited in “Nutrition and Public Health. 4”
An Anti-Inflammatory
Ginger contains a variety of anti-inflammatory agents including compounds that inhibit the production of cytokines, which are substances that cause pain and swelling. Further, ginger contains a chemical called 6-gingerol, which some researchers believe may reduce your prostate inflammation and be helpful in both preventing prostate cancer and slowing down its proliferation, as cited in “The New Healing Herbs. 5”
A Cancer Killer
What Food or Drink Can Raise Your PSA Levels?
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An Indian study published in a 2007 edition of “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research” found that 6-gingerol and other substances within ginger can be used to modulate certain proteins that help kill prostate cancer cells in both in vivo and in vitro animal studies 6. Other components of ginger suppress metastasis, or spreading of cancer, and stimulate the production of phagocytic immune cells, which fight any and all tumors and cancer cells. However, ginger is not considered a cure or even an acceptable treatment for prostate cancer or enlargement by the medical community because extensive testing on men has not yet been conducted. Consulting with your physician is highly recommended if you are experiencing prostate symptoms, such as difficulty initiating and stopping urination.
- An Indian study published in a 2007 edition of “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research” found that 6-gingerol and other substances within ginger can be used to modulate certain proteins that help kill prostate cancer cells in both in vivo and in vitro animal studies 6.
- However, ginger is not considered a cure or even an acceptable treatment for prostate cancer or enlargement by the medical community because extensive testing on men has not yet been conducted.
Related Articles
References
- “Professional Guide to Diseases: Ninth Edition”; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- “American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide”; American Dietetic Association; 2006
- “Human Biochemistry and Disease”; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- “Nutrition and Public Health”; Sari Edelstein; 2006
- “The New Healing Herbs”; Michael Castleman; 2010
- “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research”; In Vitro and in Vivo Modulation of Testosterone Mediated Alterations in Apoptosis Related Proteins by [6]-Gingerol; Y. Shukla et al; January 2007
- US Preventive Services Task Force, Grossman DC, Curry SJ, et al. Screening for Prostate Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement JAMA. 2018;319:1901-1913. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.3710
- Informed Health. How does the prostate work? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Updated August 23, 2016.
- National Cancer Institute. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Updated October 4, 2017.
- National Institute on Aging. Prostate problems. National Institutes of Health. Updated July 01, 2016.
- Elkahwaji JE. The role of inflammatory mediators in the development of prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Res Rep Urol. 2012;5:1-10. Published 2012 Dec 31. doi:10.2147/RRU.S23386
- Burns JA, Weiner AB, Catalona WJ, et al. Inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of prostate cancer. Eur Urol. 2019;75:846-852. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2018.11.039
- Ge Y, Shi Q, Yao W, Cheng Y, Ma G. The association between inflammatory bowel disease and prostate cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2020;23:53-58. doi:10.1038/s41391-019-0177-7
- Teerlink CC, Thibodeau SN, McDonnell SK, et al. Association analysis of 9,560 prostate cancer cases from the International Consortium of Prostate Cancer Genetics confirms the role of reported prostate cancer associated SNPs for familial disease. Hum Genet. 2014;133:347-356. doi:10.1007/s00439-013-1384-2
- Kani HT, Shen B. Male issues of the ileal pouch. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2015;21(3):716-722. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000000226
- Jung YS, Han M, Park S, Kim WH, Cheon JH. Cancer risk in the early stages of inflammatory bowel disease in Korean patients: A nationwide population-based study. J Crohns Colitis. 2017;11:954-962. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx040
Writer Bio
Owen Bond began writing professionally in 1997. Bond wrote and published a monthly nutritional newsletter for six years while working in Brisbane, Australia as an accredited nutritionalist. Some of his articles were published in the "Brisbane Courier-Mail" newspaper. He received a Master of Science in nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan.