Saw Palmetto Extract: Nature’s Answer to Prostate Enlargement

The prostate is a single, doughnut-shaped gland about the size of walnut that lies below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The prostate secretes a thin, milky, alkaline fluid which lubricates the urethra to prevent infection and increases sperm motility. Prostate...

Black Cohosh – Is There Really A Concern?

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is without question the most popular natural approach to menopausal symptoms. Its popularity has been increasing in part because of all of the negative press on Hormone Replacement Therapy. Specifically, last year the National...

The Healing Power of Proteolytic Enzymes

Proteolytic enzymes (or proteases) refer to the various enzymes that digest (break down into smaller units) protein. These enzymes include the pancreatic proteases chymotrypsin and trypsin, bromelain (pineapple enzyme), papain (papaya enzyme), fungal proteases, and...

Enzymes: Key to Powerful Anti-Inflammatory & Immune Support

Enzyme preparations are one of the most useful nutritional supplements available. Enzymes are molecules that speed up chemical reactions – they either help build new molecules or they split the bonds that join molecules together to break them into smaller units.In the...

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS: Pharmaceutical Grade Marine Lipids

While most Americans eat way too much of the omega-6 oils found in meats and most vegetable oils, they suffer a relative deficiency of the omega-3 oils — a situation that is associated with an increase risk for heart disease and about 60 other conditions including...

Prenatal Nutrition:Optimal Nutrition Support During Pregnancy

Pregnancy obviously results in an increased need for vitamins and minerals. Deficiency or excess of any of a number of nutrients can lead to birth defects and/or complications during pregnancy for the mother. What is a mother-to-be to do? Here are some key...

Almonds

Almonds are a relative to the peach, apricot, and cherry. Classified into two categories, sweet and bitter, sweet almonds are the variety that is…

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Apricots

A member of the plum and cherry family, apricots are classified as a drupe, or a fleshy, one-seeded fruit enclosed as a pit. Apricots are thought to…

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Artichokes

Long considered a delicacy around the globe, artichokes are actually the unopened flower of a thistle like plant. Artichokes are one of the oldest…

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Arugula

Arugula has grown in popularity in recent years, becoming a frequent addition to salads. Its peppery and woodsy flavors provide this green with a…

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Asparagus

As a member of the lily family and originally cultivated in ancient Egypt, asparagus is a superfood rich in nutrition. Nutritional…

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Avocado

The avocado, also referred to as the alligator pear, can be divided into three main categories, West Indian, Guatemalan, and Mexican. In the United…

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Bananas

Bananas are the second leading fruit crop in the world. Although traditionally thought of as yellow, bananas can also be red, pink, purple, and…

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Beets

Beets are a unique vegetable as both the root and leaves are typically consumed. They originated in North Africa, and along Asian and European…

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Berberine corrects brain chemistry in anxiety and PTSD

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Blackberry Consumption Promotes Improved Insulin Action and Fat Burning

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Blueberries

Native to North America and Europe, there are over thirty different species of blueberries worldwide. Consumed by man since prehistoric times,…

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Broccoli

Developed from a European wild cabbage, broccoli is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables. Ancient Romans and Italians have cultivated…

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Cabbage

Cabbage is a relative of broccoli, brussel sprouts, and radishes as a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables. Modern cabbage has developed…

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Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes are one of my favorites. Muskmelon, incorrectly referred to as cantaloupe, is one the five most frequently purchased fruits in the U.S. A…

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Carrots

Scientifically known as daucus carota, carrots originated in the Middle East and Asia. With over 100 varieties, they can vary in both size and color.…

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Cashews

One of the most beloved nuts is by far the cashew. This kidney-shaped nut is a relative of the mango and pistachio as a member of the anacardiaceae…

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Celery

Celery is a biennial vegetable, meaning it grows in a cycle of once every two years. While commonly thought of as light green, in Europe celery is…

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Chocolate

At the center of chocolate’s health benefits are flavonoids. These plant pigments are responsible for many of the health benefits of many fruits…

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Healing Facts - Corn

Corn

Corn has become the quintessential symbol of the harvest season. Almost everyone grew up hearing the story of Native Americans sharing their…

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Cranberries

In the days leading up to the Holidays, lets focus on traditional foods served at the year’s biggest meal. Cranberry sauce, weather the canned…

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Cucumbers

Although over 70% of them are made into pickles, cucumbers are nutritious and yummy in their own right. Cucumbers are a tropical plant that…

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Curious About Probiotics vs. Digestive Enzymes?

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Dr. Murray’s Top 7 Superfoods

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Eggplant

Eggplants are a member of the nightshade family with potatoes and tomatoes. Although commonly thought of in a deep purple shade, eggplants also come…

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Endive - Healing Food Facts

Endive – Healing Food Facts

Endive is a chicory green that is today, much more popular in Europe than in the United States. Although its recognition is growing, it is still…

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Even on Gluten-Free Diet, Exposure to Gluten Can Be too High

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Fennel

With its bulb and stalks, fennel is a member of the Umbelliferae family along with carrots and celery. Fennel has a distinct taste often compared to…

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Figs

There are over 150 different varieties of figs, varying dramatically in color from green and purple, to black. Because figs are extremely perishable,…

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Garbonzo Beans

Garbanzo beans go by many names, from chickpeas and Bengal grams to Egyptian peas. This unique legume has a nut like buttery taste and is a common…

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Garlic

Although garlic is extremely popular, few know that it is actually a member of the lily family. Garlic is a native to Central Asia, and as one of the…

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Ginger

Did you know that ginger is considered an erect perennial herb? Native to Asia, India, and China, ginger has been popular in these regions for…

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Glycemic Load of Foods Table

See my Glycemic Load of Foods Table here (opens new…

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Grapefruit

Named the “grapefruit” because it grows in clusters similar to grapes, nothing says summer quite like this citrus fruit. In fact, its Latin name,…

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Grapes

Having been consumed since prehistoric times as far back as 5,000 B.C.E., grapes were highly valued in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations for…

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Honeydew Melons

As a member of the curbitaceae family, honeydew melons are a relative of cucumbers and squash. It is thought that honeydews originated in Persia.…

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Kiwi

Kiwifruit is perhaps one of the most unique fruits. With its brown fuzzy skin, and bright green meat, there isn’t another comparable fruit. Kiwi is…

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Leeks

Leeks are a relative to the onion and garlic family, but are different as people consume their leaves rather than the bulb. They are a native to…

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Lemons

Although often thought of as sour, lemons actually are available in sweet varieties such as the Meyer lemon. Lemon trees are unique as they flower…

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Limes

Limes are a popular citrus fruit that can be either sour or sweet, depending on the variety. Originating in South-east Asia, limes were carried by…

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Maple Syrup

As the months grow cooler, a whole new flavor pallet is in season. One of many people’s fall favorites is maple syrup. Made by tapping the bark…

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Nutmeg

Nutmeg is the seed of a fruit similar to an apricot, grown on a tropical evergreen called the Moluccas. Native to the central Spice Islands of…

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Olives

Although most consider the olive a vegetable, its actually a fruit. Many consume green and black olives, the only difference between the two being…

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One Serving of Greens Daily Slows Brain Aging by Over a Decade

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Onions

Did you know that the onion is a member of the lily family? Onions come in a wide variety of flavors, colors, and shape, which can be broken up into…

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Oranges

As one of the most popular fruits in the world, the history of the oranges dates back to ancient times. The first reference of oranges was found in…

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Papaya

As a native to Central America, the papaya is a tropical fruit with a soft consistency and sweet taste. The papaya became a favorite of Spanish and…

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Peaches

Did you know, that a nectarine is considered a smooth skinned peach? Native to China, peaches and nectarines were spread to the Middle East and…

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Pears

With Autumn officially upon us, the season of harvest is in full swing. One of the many new fruits in season are pears. Historic record of the pear…

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Peas

Peas come in three different varieties: garden, snow, and snap. The history of the pea is unknown, although it is believed that they originated in…

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Pecans

North American native to the Mississippi River valley, the pecan grows on a type of hickory tree that grows to a height of about 150 feet. Each tree…

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Pineapples

Pineapples were named for its resemblance of a large green pinecone, and its flavor profile, which is often compared to a mixture of apples,…

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Plums

Plums are a relative both the peach and almond. There are over 200 different varieties of plums, coming in a rainbow of colors from blue and purple…

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Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a holiday classic. As a member of the nightshade family, potatoes are relatives of the tomato, eggplant and bell pepper.…

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Prunes

Prunes, or dried plums, originated near the Caspian Sea – the same area where European plums originated. As people migrated, so did prunes…

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Pumpkin Seeds

Continuing with our pumpkin theme, pumpkin seeds are another great fall favorite. Although sometimes discarded after carving pumpkins, many use them…

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Pumpkins

With Halloween just a few weeks away, pumpkins are in high demand. As a member of the winter squash family, pumpkins share similar nutritional…

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Raisins

Raisins are a common American snack made from dehydrated grapes. Ancient Phoenicians and Armenians worked to prefect the process of making raisins.…

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Raspberries

Did you know that raspberries are not just limited to the color red, but also come in a wide range of colors from black and orange to yellow and…

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Rye

One of the heartiest of the grains, rye is more nutritious than its cousin, wheat. Rye was originally a wild grass found in Central Asia.…

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Scallops

Scallops are a type of mollusk that has a wavy, scalloped, shell. When consumed, you are actually eating the ‘nut’, or the muscle used to open…

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Spinach

Spinach originated as a wild plant in Persia and East Asia and has been cultivated in China for over 2,000 years. Catherine de Médici brought…

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Sweet Potato

Sweet potato pie, casserole and other dishes, are frequently served at Thanksgiving dinner. A favorite of many, the sweet potato is not a member…

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Thyme

Thyme is a small evergreen shrub and member of the mint family. Native to the western Mediterranean, thyme has been utilized since ancient times for…

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Tofu

Behind soy sauce, tofu is the best-selling soy product in the United States. Tofu is made from soymilk by coagulating the soy proteins with calcium…

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Tomatoes

Did you know that there are over one thousand different varieties of tomatoes? Originating in central and South America, tomatoes were introduced to…

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Turnips

Turnips, as well as cabbage and broccoli, are a member of the cruciferous vegetable family. Cultivated over 4,000 years ago in Asia, turnips…

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Watermelon

Did you know that a watermelon can weigh upwards of 90 pounds? Watermelons are native to the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. Depicted in…

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Zucchini

Considered a summer squash, zucchini are a member of the melon family. Other summer squash include crookneck, straightneck, and pattypan squash.…

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Welcome

 

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most diagnosed form of cancer in American men. Each year there are roughly 200,000 men that are diagnosed with PC and over 30,000 will die from it. In many respects, PC is the mirror of breast cancer in women. It is a hormone-sensitive cancer that will affect at least one out of every six men now living in the United States.

Most PCs are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive PCs. The cancer cells may metastasize (spread) from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. Next to lung cancer, in men PC is the second leading cause of death due to cancer.

The big push conventional medical circles will make this month is encouraging men over the age of 50 years to see a physician for two tests:

  • A digital rectal exam–the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate through the rectal wall to check for hard or lumpy areas.
  • A blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA)- which will usually be elevated in men with PC. A normal PSA ranges from 0 to 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). A PSA level of 4 to 10 ng/ml is considered slightly elevated; levels between 10 and 20 ng/ml are considered moderately elevated; and anything above that is considered highly elevated. The higher the PSA level, the more likely it is that cancer is present. However, approximately 35% of men with diagnosed PC will have a “normal” PSA of less than 4. The level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood tends to rise with PC, but minor elevations may be due to less serious conditions like prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (enlargement of the prostate).

However, recently there has been a bit of controversy regarding the fact that screening for prostate cancer has led to harming many more men compared to the number that have died from prostate cancer. Many doctors will state that the rationale for early detection of prostate cancer is that it leads to more effective treatment. Unfortunately, the data on PSA screening for PC does not support this notion. Several reviews on the impact of PSA screening show no statistically significant difference in death due to PC between men randomized to screening and those who were not screened.In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force believe that PSA screening produces more harm than good based upon very extensive analyses.

Harmful effects of screening included high rates of false-positive results for the PSA test resulting in over-diagnosis and the adverse events associated not only with biopsies (such as infection, bleeding and pain), but also in the treatment of PC with chemotherapy and radiation. It is believed that in most cases, the PC would not have seriously affected many lives if it had simply been left alone. Most PCs are extremely slow growing meaning that men can live with PC, rather than die from it. In fact, autopsy studies report that more than 30% of all men over the age 50 have evidence of PC, but only 3% will die from it.

My feeling is that the problem with early screening is not the screening; it is what happens after the screening that is the issue. In the case of PSA screening, the approach should be “watchful waiting” versus immediate biopsy unless accompanied by significant recent increase in PSA levels, family history, or in African-Americans. And, if the biopsy is positive, even then a conservative approach should be taken with the majority of men. Now, that does not mean that I advocate idleness with “watchful waiting.” In fact, I recommend just the opposite; focus aggressively on the  preventive measures against PC detailed here: https://doctormurray.com/health-conditions/prostate-cancer-prevention/.

 


For more information, please see the completely revised and updated 3rd edition of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.

On the Dr Oz show

DrOz-Sho569

On the show I discussed the failure of conventional medicine to address the underlying issues in many health conditions offering little more than drugs as biochemical “band aids.”

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