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Cranberry RCT study
Always interested in natural methods that have solid science behind them.
Stumbled upon a double-blind RCT study where 64 PCa patients were randomly assigned to receive 1500 mg of dry cranberry fruit powder or placebo daily for at least 21 days (avg 31 days) prior to undergoing radical prostatectomy.
https://biomed.papers.upol.cz/pdfs/bio/2016/04/17.pdf
The cranberry arm experienced a significant 22.5% decrease in their PSA levels compared with 0.9% increase using a placebo (P < .05) immediately prior to surgery. There were no differences, however, in prostate tissue markers (IMO this is not that unexpected with such a short trial duration for this study).
Since I prefer food over supplements, I plan to drink 8 ounces per day of 100% unsweetened Ocean Spray cranberry juice until my next PSA test in February 2026 and see if there’s any changes….stay tuned!
Ocean Spray 100% unsweetened cranberry juice has the highest soluble PAC level of all the types tested by consumer lab.com.
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@brianjarvis
Totally agree….that’s why I use very few supplements.
If there is a clear scientifically (preferably a RCT) shown benefit, I like to go with the whole food from which the “compound of interest” is derived.
Personally, I think exercise has more scientifically backed evidence to help slow PCa progression than diet.
My approach regarding diet, was to get to an optimum BMI (22-23), at which point I eased into a “heart healthy” diet that has allowed me to maintain that optimum BMI for almost two years.
My new urologist just suggested I look into occasional 24 hour fasting…haven’t implemented that yet….but it’s on my “to research” list 😉
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1 Reaction@handera Hey Ed, I have not eaten breakfast for over 50 yrs…my thought being that all those calories I ate the night before at dinner were stored as glycogen and waiting to be used.
If you have breakfast, it’s those calories which will be burned first and your glycogen will then be stored as fat.
I am now reading that my routine is categorized as a ‘mini-fast’ and I have a good 18 -20 hrs some days between yesterday’s dinner and today’s lunch.
It has really helped me maintain my boyish figure😉
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3 Reactions@heavyphil
Phil: You were 50 years before your time!
I think I’ve figured out why my urologist recommended fasting (he does it himself).
I’m finding out there’s mounting evidence that it increases longevity…AND…the University of Buffalo just reported this in August, regarding PCa, ADT and fasting:
• Researchers demonstrated for the first time that alternate-day fasting increases the efficacy of anti-androgen therapy in prostate cancer through preclinical mouse models.
• The study found that intermittent fasting reduces androgen receptor expression and signaling, enhancing the antitumor activity of enzalutamide by reducing amino acid levels and protein synthesis.
• Clinical trials are now underway to evaluate restricted eating patterns in prostate cancer patients receiving hormone therapy and plant-based diets for cancer patients on chemotherapy.
https://trial.medpath.com/news/3634c60cfd0bcc26/intermittent-fasting-enhances-anti-androgen-therapy-efficacy-in-prostate-cancer-preclinical-study-shows
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2 Reactions@heavyphil
I have heard of this mini fast.
The one I read was trying to eat dinner early and not eat or snack until breakfast. Goal was to get a 12 hour fast.
I then read how important breakfast was to get your metabolism going to digest the food. Then I thought like you wait a minute. If I don't eat breakfast and exercise am I not burning fat off as don't have any carbs in me from a meal.
So I am experimenting with both plans to see what works the best.
The only con about not eating breakfast is when I get to lunch I am really hungry and tend to eat more.
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2 Reactions@jc76 “Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the day” was nothing more than an ad campaign paid for by a bacon purveyor who was trying to boost slumping sales.
His ad man interviewed doctors and asked them my opening quote with the intro - “Wouldn’t you say, Doctor, that….blah, blah” and they all said YES!!!
One thing’s for sure, that ad man knew how to get ‘yes’ for an answer!
Phil
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2 ReactionsJust obtained another PSA test (February 20, 2026), a 6.4% drop since previous (May 27, 2025).
Probably drank 8 oz of 100% unsweetened cranberry juice at least 3-4 days/week for last 3 months….not consistent on a daily basis….
Don’t really attribute this small PSA drop to the cranberry juice….but at least it didn’t increase….
More importantly, my PSA doubling time is 12.3 years (see attachment), since my diagnosis in October 2023.
PSA has averaged 6.5 (nine tests) since being diagnosed, lower than the 7.8 result immediately prior my biopsy and PCa diagnosis.
Staying on the AS course….
@handera That’s good.
In addition to your PSA and PSA Doubling Time, do you know your PSA Density and % Free PSA? Those are additional biomarkers helpful to track.
Also, consider that since PSA levels are tied to testosterone levels, with testosterone levels being diurnal, getting PSA tested at about the same time each test might provide some value.
—> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31390085/
My PSA numbers were not as stable as yours while I was on active surveillance. Mine zig-zagged upwards (see my attached PSA chart).