Is It OK to Take Supplements After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis? by Stuart Jordan
We were recently asked by a newly diagnosed member of our group—who is preparing to begin treatment—about a dietary supplement he has been taking. His question had two parts: Could this supplement help with prostate cancer? And just as important, is it safe to keep taking it now?
It’s a fair question, and a very common one. Many supplements are marketed as supportive of prostate health, metabolism, or weight management, and it’s easy to assume they might be helpful during cancer treatment.
In my day job as publisher of the Wellness Letter, we often see how supplement claims outpace the science behind them. That’s why we rely on evidence-based research as the final word when exploring questions like these.
When we look closely at the research, the picture is clearer than the marketing suggests. So far, no dietary supplement has been shown in solid human studies to prevent, treat, or slow the progression of prostate cancer once diagnosed. Some supplements that once sounded promising haven’t held up in careful trials. Others affect lab markers, such as PSA, without improving outcomes that truly matter. In fact, some supplements—like high-dose vitamin E or selenium—have actually shown potential harm in trials.
Safety is just as important. Supplements and over-the-counter products can interact with medications, affect lab results, or interfere with how treatments work. This matters whether a man is on active surveillance, receiving hormone therapy, undergoing radiation therapy, or after treatment. Even products that seem harmless can complicate care if the medical team isn’t aware of them.
That’s why it’s essential to tell your doctors about every supplement and over-the-counter product you’re taking, not just prescriptions.
Instead of relying on supplements, focusing on overall health—through diet, physical activity, weight management, and addressing true deficiencies—offers a safer, better-supported path, especially when coordinated closely with your medical team.
NEW monthy GAY & BISEXUAL MEN’S Prostate Cancer Group starting Tue, Oct 21, 5.30 pm Eastern.
Sign up at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics and Foundation Medicine.
Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: One Gent rechallenges Pluvicto… another follows rechallenge with a ‘triplet’.
Topics Discussed
Addressing recurrence after focal tx (IRE) 10 yrs ago; new GU MO in northern New Jersey; how much adjuvant doublet HT is needed; another treatment line with triplet… abi+carbo+docetaxel; blood thinners; rechallenging Pluvicto is largely well tolerated; look at blood count numbers as a whole; nutrition… how about chicken?; how far ahead of RT should adjuvant HT start?
Steve L sent: 6:25 PM I was recently taken off Eliquis and but back on 81mg aspirin.
Jim Marshall, Veteran, Alexandria, VA sent: 6:26 PM Abi can affect the QT & QTc elongation time which I have when I get a EKG. Am also on Pradaxa for AFib. Pradaxa =. Dabigatran Etexilate
Jim Marshall, Veteran, Alexandria, VA sent: 6:38 PM Hey Jersey Mike has TUNA Subs!!!!
Jeff Marchi – San Francisco sent: 6:44 PM peter Kafka had 2 pluvicto treatments and his PSA went to .04 after a lot of hot spots in a PSMA pet. stopped at 2 sessions it was so successful
Julian – Houston sent: 6:45 PM Another wonderful conversation! Good Night all!!!
Bruce Schrimpf sent: 6:48 PM Great meeting! Thanks to all!
AnCan–John A sent: 6:57 PM Anticancer Lifestyle website has nutrition information I think is reliable. https://anticancerlifestyle.org/
Jeff Marchi – San Francisco sent: 6:59 PM chicken articles from National Cancer institute and NIH
Richard B, Silver Spring, MD sent: 7:02 PM I need to step away for the evening. Thanks to everyone for their insightful commentary it was beneficial . Take care
Bruce Schrimpf sent: 7:06 PM I have gotten all sorts of information about chicken and chicken eggs. It has more to do with how the chicken is grown and prepared. I eat my eggs poached, never fried. I eat my chicken baked and hopefully raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. I love fried and broasted (pressurized deep frying) but almost ever eat it. BDS
Alfredo in Wimberley sent: 7:09 PM Thank You. and Good Night!
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Foundation Medicine, Janssen, Myriad Genetics, Novartis, Telix & Blue Earth Diagnostics.
WELCOME all to our newly recorded Low/Intermediate Prostate Cancer Group. To receive notice when new recordings are posted, either follow us on this YouTube Channel or sign up to our Blog via https://ancan.org/contact-us/ – check New Blog box.
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussions are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 @or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
AnCan’s Prostate Cancer Forum is back (https://ancan.org/forums). If you’d like to comment on anything you see in our Recordings or read in our Reminders, just sign up and go right ahead. You can also click on the Forum icon at the top right of the webpage.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/
Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Editor’s pick: The use of different labs to measure PSA, can lead to inconsistent results. CE
Special Note: Note: Rick Davis and Alexa Jett enjoyed being “live” with Dr. Mark in person for this meeting, also Andrew makes an appearance.
Topics Discussed: High PSA with biopsy; research of treatment protocols; active surveillance; MRI guided biopsy; PI-RADS 4&5 lesions; positive cores not showing up on MRI; anxiety with regards to active surveillance and treatment; elevated PSA – standing alone does not necessitate biopsy; use the same lab for better consistency in lab results; change in tumor size; diet; inflammation; IRE clinical trials; focal treatment; radical prostatectomy; cardiovascular risk factors and pacemakers; risk of infection while wearing a catheter; Decipher score; PCRI Conference; Centers of Excellence; PET scans; potential of cancer spreading outside of the prostate; abnormalities in bladder and rectal wall; SBRT; ProAct adjustable continence therapy; hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its application to prostate cancer treatment; Prostox score; reminder of the other groups such as Men Speaking Freely.
Chat
Eric M. Atlanta
Theranostics I believe is the name?
John A
Igancio, there are several ways we deal with scanxiety. Behavior: exercise, other activities ie yoga, attending groups and sharing. Cognition: distraction, cognitive therapy techniques, mindfulness, meditation. Medication: as needed short term antianxiety meds for panicky anxiety or sleep, or antidepressants which block panicky anxiety. Therapy: behavioral, psychotherapy. Time can lessen it though as rick said even us oldtimers get it, but it’s not so fresh and harsh.
Ignacio
Thank you John! Actually, I do not believe I have “scananxiety” as much as “results anxiety”, not only from scans but also from PSA tests. However, time and experience have helped quite a bit. I have accepted my situation and am willing to take actioin if needed!
Ignacio
Thank you!
John A
MedGasRes. 2018 Oct-Dec; 8(4); 167-171. doi:10.4103/2045-9912.248268 Further application of hyperbaric oxygen in prostate cancer. Lu et al
Gregg – Metro Detroit
Adios guys – gotta go!
John A
clarify spelling/pronunciation: SpaceOAR hydrogel is one brand of the 3 Mark mentioned
Editor’s Note: We know you’ve missed receiving email notifications about our blog posts. Now that we are up and running on the new system via mailchimp (the same system you receive our group reminders on), here are the posts may have missed. They are categorized for your connivence. Enjoy!
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat Recordings
Established in 1973, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins has been committed to advancing the understanding of human cancers and developing more effective treatments.The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recognizes this Center as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, highlighting its involvement in clinical and laboratory research, education, community outreach, and cancer prevention.
In this video, specialists from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center offer a nutritional guide for patients with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Dr. B.J. Miller’s Prognosis Declaration Can Revolutionize the Quality of Your Treatment Path
One of the most compassionate, influential and remarkable docs I have had the great fortune to encounter since I got into this biz, is Dr. BJ Miller. We are honored to have BJ on our Advisory Board, and while we rarely speak live, I consider him a friend.
More significantly, a couple of men lost to this disease who I have known well, welcomed BJ to their medical teams …. and he made a huge difference to them. In a recent webiinar “Making Medical Decisions”, BJ shared a revolutionary document with us ….BJ’s Prognosis+Declaration
All too often medical teams put their foot in their mouth …. and sometimes unwittingly yours, when they provide an unrequested prognosis for your situation. Some may want to know how serious their disease is .. or how long they have to live; others frequenbtly do not. The Prognosis Declaration offers four (4) options from knowing everything to knowing nothing, or maybe having your caregiver know but not you. You determine what you want to hear, and you give the Prognosis Declaration to your medical team upfront ….. brilliant! The form was developed by one of BJ’s patients who lost his wife to cancer.
The whole webinar, Managing Your Medical Decisons, can be heard here – it’s truly worth a listen.
