A novel US study has found that a phytochemical-rich blend combined with a probiotic complex can support men's urinary and sexual health, while stabilising disease progression in those with prostate cancer, as reported in Keep Healthy.
The results, which were first presented at the ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, found that men taking YourPhyto and YourGutPlus+ together experienced a 42% decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, which is commonly used as a biomarker of prostate cancer and its severity.
YourPhyto, which contains a range of antioxidant phytochemicals from green tea, broccoli, turmeric, pomegranate, cranberry and ginger, was combined with YourGutPlus+, a blend of five Lactobacillius strains mixed with prebiotic inulin in this study.
These results suggest that plant-based antioxidant bioactives and probiotics could work in synergy to prevent prostate cancer progression, while also improving quality of life by reducing genitourinary symptoms such as erectile dysfunction and trouble urinating.
Nutraceuticals for prostate cancer management
Prostate cancer is currently the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with more than 1.45 million being diagnosed with the condition in 2022 alone.
The current treatment options for prostate cancer range from radio, immuno and chemotherapy to surgery and hormone therapy, all which come with their pros and cons.
Due to the non-invasive nature of hormone therapy, it is a highly popular treatment method; though it comes with a range of side effects, including erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, muscle loss and mood swings.
Therefore, researchers from Addenbroke's and Bedford, Cambridge University Hospitals set out to assess how a polyphenol and probiotic-rich supplement regime could influence symptoms in men with prostate cancer not receiving hormone therapy.
To achieve this, they gave men either YourPhyto, YourPhyto and YoutGutPlus+ or a placebo, assessing PSA levels as a measure of each regimen's impact on prostate health.
Polyphenol-probiotics blend demonstrates efficacy
During the study period, the men randomised to receive YourPhyto on its own (placebo), the PSA doubling time was 19 months prior to baseline, which slowed by 3x to 62 months after the trial began.
This finding suggests that YourPhyto alone can significantly impact prostate cancer disease biomarkers, revealing the blend's potential to benefit men with the condition.
However, the PSA-slowing effects were even more pronounced when combined with the probiotic supplement, with a 42% decrease in PSA progression occurring in men randomised to receive both YourGutPlus+ and YourPhyto.
Not only could the synergistic combination stabilise PSA levels, but it actually decreased in many participants — indicating the strong benefits the supplements could offer in tandem.
MRI scans also showed that disease was stabilised in most men, with five participants even showing disease regression.
It should be noted that nine study volunteers demonstrated progression, but this wasn't seen through PSA levels — suggesting that the supplement regime impacted the tumour itself.
As well as impacting disease progression, the combination facilitated a 25% improvement in urinary and erectile function within these men.
These results highlight the potential of plant-based bioactives and probiotics in supporting prostate cancer treatment, and open the door for more research into precision nutrition in chronic disease.