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ProstaShield™(V-PS)

P R O F E S S I O N A L F O R M U L A T I O N

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Nutrition Support For The Prostate by James B. LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N.

BackgroundSeveral natural remedies have emerged with great potentialfor the therapy of prostate conditions. In particular,scientific studies have found saw palmetto, pygeum,stinging nettles, and essential fatty acids to be beneficial.Prostate health is an issue of increasing concern formen. The statistics are staggering; 1 out of 2 men willhave an enlarged prostate between the ages of 40 and59, and 80% of the men over the age of 70 haveenlarged prostates. A benign enlargement of the prostateis, in fact, the most common condition seen by urologists,who each year treat an estimated 400,000 sufferers. Inaddition, prostate cancer is the most common canceramong American men. The American Cancer Societypredicted that in 1998, approximately 185,000 menwould be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and an estimated400,000 would die from the disease.

The prostate gland is a walnut sized cluster of muscularand glandular tissue that surrounds the urethra at thebase of the male bladder. When it becomes enlarged (a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, orBPH), it can pinch off the flow to urinate, especially atnight. Other symptoms are difficulty starting urinationand inability to void completely. This backup of urinein the bladder is annoying at the very least, but it canalso be dangerous. With the backup of urine, the bladderand kidneys can become infected, having potentiallyserious consequences, such as kidney failure. The causesof BPH are still being determined. However, the mostprominent theory is that healthy testosterone is convertedby an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase to the hormonecalled dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This DHT causesexcess growth of prostate tissue by turning on genes thatresult in cellular growth. Other changes that take placeas men age and which may somehow be involved inprostatic enlargement are increasing levels of other hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin. A recentstudy also suggests that increased levels of estrogen inmen may be linked to the development of BPH.1

Prostate enlargement is a serious matter, not only due tothe discomfort it causes or the increased risk of kidneyinfection, but also due to the fact that increased DHTlevels increase one’s risk for porstate cancer. DHT notonly turns on genes that result in abnormal cellulargrowth, it also increases mitochondrial activity inprostate cells, which in turn creates oxidative stress (free radical damage). In addition, it alters the level of cellular glutathione peroxidase, an important freeradical neutralizer.2

Herbal Extracts for Prostatic Health

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)Widely used in Europe, saw palmetto’s use for BPH andfor chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is well supported byover twenty double blind, placebo controlled studies.Fat-soluble components from the extract of saw palmettoberries, such as sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol,and thought to be the active constituents. However, freefatty acids and long-chain alcohols may also be involved.Saw palmetto’s mechanism of action is like that of thedrug Proscar. It inhibits the 5-alpha-reductase enzymefrom converting testosterone to DHT.3 However, it alsoreduces the activity of estrogen receptors in the prostatewhich, as was mentioned earlier, have been implicatedin prostate enlargement. It also exerts an anti-inflammatoryeffect on prostate tissues.4 Clinical trials have shown thatsaw palmetto extract effectively reduces BPH symptomsin 90% of patients within four to six weeks and providesa 38% improvement in urine flow within 3 months.5 Itis important to note that it is the fat-soluble standardizedextracts which have been shown to be effective, not thewater-soluble preparations or teas. Saw palmetto shouldbe Standardized to contain 80-90% free fatty acids. Themost common dosage is 160 mg taken twice daily. Sawpalmetto has a distinct advantage over synthetic drugswhich block 5-alpha-reductase in that it has virtually no side effects. The only side effects reported are gastriccomplaints, and those are very rare.6

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Pygeum (Pygeum africanum)Another herbal extract that is commonly used in Europefor men suffering from BPH is pygeum africanum, anextract from the bark of an evergreen tree which growsin Africa. It is known to contain phytosterols, triterpenoids,and long chain alcohols, which apparently exert an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effecct. However, theexact mechanism of action is not completely under-stood.7 Studies have reported pygeum to be effective forimproving urinary symptoms; e.g. statistically significantreductions in the number of urinations, more completebladder emptying and uterine flow.8,9 Studies havereported occasional G.I. upset as the only side effect.Pygeum should be standardized to contain 14% beta-sitosterol, and the usual dose is 50-100 mg daily.10

Stinging Nettle Root (Urtica dioica)Stinging Nettles Root extracts have been reported by anumber of studies to improve symptoms of BPH withno adverse side effects. In addition, it has been reportedto enhance the beneficial actions of pygeum africanumin the treatment of BPH. In a double blind studyof 63 patients, those who received the combinationproduct versus pygeum alone had improved urinary volumes.11 It is theorized that the active constituents ofstinging nettles have an inhibitory effect on 5-alpha-reductase; however, this is unproven.12 It is reported thatstinging nettles extracts inhibit aromatase enzymesinvolved in the conversion of testosterone to estrogeniccompounds.13 Therefore, stinging nettles may improvesymptoms of BPH by modulating the hormonal imbalancesassociated with the disease. The active compounds innettles are still being identified. However, it appears thatthe lectins and polysaccharides are most important forBPH.14 The most common dose is 250 mg, one to threetimes daily.15

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)Green tea has long been used in much of the world as apopular beverage and medicinal agent. Green tea is anantioxidant used for the promotion of cardiovascularhealth. Green tea’s antioxidant effects seem to bedependent on the polyphenol fraction. The inhibitoryeffects of green tea on carcinogenesis have been investigatedusing (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) or crude teaextract.16 Green tea and its major poly-phenolics havebeen studied to determine if they prevent tumors inexperimental animal models.17 The exact mechanism(s)of any anti-carcinogenic activity remains to be found,but green tea is claimed to inhibit prostate cancer cellgrowth and kill prostate cancer cells.

Nutritional Supplements for Prostatic HealthA number of nutrients are known to be important forprostate health. Zinc, for instance, is a mineral that iscontained in prostatic tissue in much higher concentrationsthan in any other tissues in the human body. Adequatezinc levels help to prevent enlargement of the prostategland, apparently by influencing the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme.18 It has been shown that zincnot only prevents enlargement, but that it also helpsshrink a gland that is already swollen.19

Essential fatty acids may also be important in the maintenance of prostate health, possibly due to theirrole in regulating steroid production and hormone synthesis, and their role in regulating the body’s inflammatory responses. One essential fatty acid,gamma linolenicacid, is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.20

One older study conducted with 19 BPH patientsshowed that after several weeks of supplementationwith an essential fatty acid complex, 12 of the 19patients no longer had any residual urine.21

Pumpkin seed is a rich source of plant sterols. Anotherdietary compound, lycopene, one of the recently identifiedphytonutrients, is extremely important for prostatehealth. It was recently reported that persons consumingdiets higher in lycopene had significantly lower prostatecancer risks.22 Lycopene is a free radical scavenger, andtherefore provides powerful antioxidant protection forthe prostate.

Selenium is another nutrient that has been found to beimportant for prostate health. A recent study of the tracemineral selenium found that supplementation with 200mcg per day for a period of 4 years resulted in a 63%lower prostate cancer rate than for those subjects takinga placebo.23 And finally, Vitamin E has been found toeffect a 32% lower prostate cancer rate for those subjectstaking 50 mg of vitamin E daily.24

SummaryMany nutritional and herbal agents are known to have apositive impact on prostate health. Those that are bestsupported by scientific study, have been combined inVinco’s ProstaShield™, which has been designed toenhance prostate health. Obviously, anyone experiencingsymptoms associated with BPH should seek a properdiagnosis and care plan from their health care provider.Persons who have already been diagnosed with BPHand who wish to use natural agents should work withtheir healthcare provider in the selection of agents andto monitor their condition. For those who are interestedin preventing prostate problems, nutritional support forthe prostate can pay off in big benefits for your health.

Directions For UseAs a dietary supplement for men, take three capsules perday, or as directed by a qualified healthcare professional.

Supplement FactsServing Size: 3 CapsulesServings per Container: 30

Amount per Serving %DV*

Zinc (Zinc Amino Acid Chelate 20%) 10 mg 66%Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis) 500 mg *(90% Polyphenols / 50% EGCG)

Nettle Leaf Powder 400 mg *Saw Palmetto Oil (85%-95% Fatty Acids) 320 mg *Pumpkin Seed Powder 200 mg *Pygeum Africanum Extract (13% Phytosterols) 100 mg *Grape Seed Extract (95% Proanthocyanidins) 50 mg *Lycopene (5% Extract) 4 mg *

*(DV) is based on a 2,000 calorie diet**Daily Value (DV) not established

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Stearate

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References1. K. Suzuki, et al., “Endocrine Envirionment of benign prosta-tic hyperplasia: prostate size and volume are correlated withserum estrogen concentration,” Scand J Urol Nephrol, 29(1)(1995): 65-68.

2. M.O. Ripple, et al., “Prooxidant-antioxidant shift inducedby androgen treatment of human prostate carcinoma cells,” JNatl Cancer Inst, (I) (1997): 40-48.

3. C. Sultan, et al., “Inhibition of androgen metabolism andbinding by a liosterolic Extract of Serenca repens B in humanforeskin fibroblasts” J Steroid Biochem 20 (1984): 515-519.

4. G.L. Plosker and R.N. Brodgden, “Serenoa repens(Permixon): A review of its pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy in benign prostate hyperplasia,” Drugs & Aging 9(5)(1996): 379-395.

5. M.T.Murray, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. PrimaPublishing, Rocklin, CA 1998.

6. J.A Duke, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, Fl.CRC Press. 1985.

7. M.B. Schaefer. The Natural Way to a Healthy Prostate. NewCanaan, CT. Keats Publishing Inc., 1995.

8. J. Balch, “Prostate Health” Alternative Medicine Updates.Marina Del Ray, CA. 1994.

9. M.B. Schaefer. The Natural Way to a Healthy Prostate. NewCanaan, CT. Keats Publishing Inc., 1995.

10. J.A Duke, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, Fl.CRC Press. 1985.

11. T. Krezeski, et al., “Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum Africanum in the treatment of benign prostatichyperplasia: Double-blind comparison of two doses,” Clin Therapeut 15 (1993): 1012.

12. M.B. Schaefer. The Natural Way to a Healthy Prostate. NewCanaan, CT. Keats Publishing Inc., 1995.

13. T. Krezeski, et al., “Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum Africanum in the treatment of benign prostatichyperplasia: Double-blind comparison of two doses,” ClinTherapeut 15 (1993): 1012.

14. H.Wagner, et al., “Search for the antiprostatic principle ofstinging nettle (Urtica Dioica) roots,” Phytomedicine 1(1994): 213-224.

15. J.A Duke, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, Fl.CRC Press. 1985.

16. S.K. Katiyar, et al., “Tea Antioxidants in CancerChemoprevention.,” J Cell Biochem Suppl 27 (1997):59-67.

17. R. Agarwal, et al., “Cancer Chemoprevention byPolyphenols in Green Tea and Artichoke,” Adv Exp Med Biol401 (1996): 35-50.

18. A. Leake, et al., “The effect of zinc on the 5-alpha-reduc-tion of testosterone by the hyperplastic human prostate gland,J Steroid Biochem, 2092 (1984): 651-655.19. M.S. Fahim MS, et al., “Zinc arginine, a 5 alpha-reductioninhibitor, reduces rat ventral prostate weight and DNA withoutaffectingtesticular function,”Andrologia 25(6) (1993):369-375.

20. A.C. Buck. “Phytotherapy for the prostate,” British J Urol,78 (1996): 325-326.

21. J.P. Hart and W.L. Cooper, “Vitamin E in the treatment ofprostatic hyperplasia,” Report Number 1, Foundation forNutritional Research,Milwaukee, WI. 1941.

22. S.K. Clinton, et al., “Cis-trans lycopene isomers,carotenoids, and retinol in the human prostate,” CancerEpidemiol Biomakers Prev 5(10) (1996): 823-833.

23. L.C. Clark, et al., “Effect of selenium supplementation forcancer prevention in patients with carcinoma of the skin-Arandomized controlled trial,” JAMA 276 (24) (1998): 440-446.

24. O.P. Heinonen, “Prostate, cancer and supplementationwith alpha tocopherol and beta carotene: Incidence and mortality in a controlled trial,” J Natl Cancer Inst 90(6)(1998): 440-446.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.