As you know, if you have followed my channel on Rumble, then I had my latest blood work done at a hospital in Yang Talat about 50 km from where I live. Thought it was a good idea, and it was almost perfect. But given it is a public hospital, then low cost does come at a price. I had to wait for the PSA and CEA for 3 weeks. Will not do that again, I need the PSA every month, not much idea in having it with a month delay. Anyway, it was 105.00 which I am very unhappy about.
But having had a look at the supplements, which is the primary place for me to look for answers, nothing much really can justify the increase. I started quite a few new things, but nothing will really be reflected in a PSA in just a month, so not much reason to get into details about that. The CEA came back 3.65, which according to AI is sightly above normal. It states that only when the number goes above 10 will it be a number for concern. It says it could just be inflammation, and when I took at closer look at my notes for the month, then I did make many notes about a very slow urine flow and the feeling of having inflammation all the way up to the date I had the test done.
So, for now I will settle with the idea that the 105 in PSA is a reflection of inflammation. My LDH was 135 which is in the low end of normal and all other numbers apart from the Bilirubin numbers were spot on.
So, what have I in store for July that makes me optimistic? Well first of all I got Astragalus:
Health Benefits of Astragalus
Overall Health Benefits
- Immune System Support: Astragalus is known for its immune-boosting properties, increasing white blood cell production and enhancing the body’s defense against infections. Some research suggests it may help fight off colds, viruses, and even offer some antibacterial effects.
- Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory: The herb contains compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, protecting cells from free radical damage and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
- Cardiovascular Benefits: Studies have shown that astragalus can improve heart function, lower blood pressure, and regulate triglyceride levels, benefiting cardiovascular health—particularly in those with heart failure or myocarditis.
- Blood Sugar Management: Astragalus may help manage and reduce blood sugar levels, especially in people with type 2 diabetes, by increasing insulin sensitivity and protecting pancreatic cells.
- Kidney and Liver Protection: Evidence supports a role in protecting kidney function, especially in diabetic patients, and possibly some liver-protective effects.
- Allergy and Fatigue Relief: Astragalus has shown potential to reduce symptoms of allergies and combat fatigue, including in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Astragalus and Prostate Cancer
- Inhibition of Cancer Growth: Laboratory and animal research indicate that astragalus extract and its key components—such as astragaloside IV and astragalus polysaccharides—can inhibit proliferation of prostate cancer cells, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), and suppress pathways vital to cancer cell survival.
- Mechanisms of Action:
- Promotion of Apoptosis: Astragalus extract triggers apoptotic pathways in prostate cancer cells, including via downregulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and inhibition of related proteins such as HSP27.
- Modulation of Key Signaling Pathways: It regulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and GDPD4-2 signaling pathways, which are important in tumor growth and survival.
- Immune System Modulation: Astragalus polysaccharides may enhance the immune system’s anticancer response, in part by modulating macrophages and T cells within the tumor microenvironment.
- Potential Adjuvant Role: While promising in laboratory studies, these effects have yet to be robustly confirmed in human clinical trials; current evidence positions astragalus as a potential adjuvant—supporting but not replacing standard clinical treatments for prostate cancer.
Summary Table
In summary, astragalus is widely valued for general immune and organ support, with growing experimental evidence suggesting anti-cancer activity—particularly in prostate cancer cells in laboratory settings.
In addition to that I started with Methylene Blue and photodynamic therapy (PDT). I started just with oral dose in May and June, but it turned out to be the fake version, so it might have contributed to a worse PSA when I come to think of it. But now I have got the real deal and expanded the use to PDT also. Happy I never got around to do that with the fake stuff.
Health Benefits of Methylene Blue
General Health Benefits
- Mitochondrial and Cellular Support: Methylene blue supports mitochondria—the cell’s energy producers—boosting cellular energy (ATP levels), which can translate to reduced fatigue and improved overall energy.
- Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects: Acts as a potent antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress and helping protect nerve cells. These properties may play a role in slowing neurodegenerative disease progression and supporting cognitive function.
- Cognitive Enhancement: May sharpen memory, increase mental clarity, and enhance focus by modulating neurotransmitter activity.
- Mood and Aging Support: Some evidence suggests it can stabilize mood, improve resilience to stress, and slow cellular aging due to its effects on mitochondria and free radical neutralization.
- Medical Uses: FDA-approved primarily for methemoglobinemia (a rare blood disorder) and used as a diagnostic dye. Other uses include treatment of malaria and reducing symptoms of some drug toxicities.
- Other Potentials (under research): Advocates suggest possible benefits in skin health, cardiovascular performance, and advanced detoxification, although more research is needed to support these uses.
Methylene Blue in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Prostate Cancer
- How PDT Works: Photodynamic therapy involves injecting a photosensitizing agent (like methylene blue) that accumulates in tumor cells. When exposed to a specific wavelength of light (often red laser), the dye is activated, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill cancer cells through oxidative damage.
- Benefits in Prostate Cancer:
- Targeted Cell Death: Studies show methylene blue–based PDT effectively reduces viability and migration of prostate cancer cells in laboratory settings.
- Minimally Invasive: PDT is considered a focal therapy, targeting cancer cells while often sparing healthy tissue, resulting in fewer side effects compared to surgery or radiation.
- Multiple Mechanisms: In prostate cancer cell lines, methylene blue PDT induces oxidative stress, triggers cell death primarily through necroptosis and autophagy rather than classic apoptosis, and impairs tumor cell migration.
- Current Role: While promising, most data are from preclinical or early clinical studies; PDT, including methylene blue–mediated PDT for prostate cancer, is still mostly considered experimental or investigational but offers advantages of precision and lower toxicity for localized tumors.
Summary:
Methylene blue is valued for mitochondrial support, antioxidant action, and neuroprotective potential. In prostate cancer, methylene blue–based PDT is an emerging experimental therapy that induces focused tumor cell death with precision and low toxicity, but is not yet a mainstream clinical option
And then I finally got to try something that has been on my radar for years, Manuka Honey. It is very pricey and it has to be of a certain kind to have the medicinal properties. I ended up buying what I found to be the best compromise between price and health benefits. According to my research then it has to be UMF 15+ and MGO 400 as a minimum. I took one step better at UMF 16+ and MGO 573. It cost about 110 dollars for 500 gram. It should last me at least 1 month if I take 1 tsp every morning. Better versions are UMF 20+ and UMF 22+ with MGO 850 and 950 respectively, and they obviously are MUCH better, but also way out of reach as a solution for months of treatments. The 22+ cost 135 dollars for 250 gram, it translate to 270 dollars for a month worth of treatment.
Manuka Health UMF 16+ / MGO 573 Manuka honey is well-known for its potent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Regarding prostate cancer, multiple in vitro studies demonstrate that Manuka honey—and similar New Zealand honeys—can inhibit prostate cancer cell viability, invasion, and metastatic behavior. Specifically, research on prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and DU145) shows Manuka honey reduces cancer cell invasion by up to 75% and adhesion to extracellular matrix components by about 90%, which may help limit cancer spread. The combination of phenolic compounds and sugars in Manuka honey contributes to these anti-metastatic effects more effectively than individual components alone.
Additionally, Manuka honey exhibits cytotoxic effects against prostate cancer cells, reducing their growth significantly within 24–72 hours at certain concentrations, indicating potential as a complementary agent in controlling tumor progression.
Though there is less clinical data specifically on prostate cancer patients, the strong laboratory evidence suggests Manuka honey’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties may support prostate cancer management or prevention indirectly by limiting tumor aggressiveness.
Summary:
- Reduces prostate cancer cell invasion and adhesion, potentially limiting metastasis.
- Inhibits prostate cancer cell growth in vitro.
- Contains potent antioxidants and phenolics that contribute to anticancer effects.
- Primarily supported by laboratory studies; clinical research is still needed.
- Also offers well-established benefits for immune support, wound healing, and antibacterial action.
Manuka Health UMF 16+ / MGO 573 thus represents a promising natural supplement with potential adjunctive benefits in prostate cancer contexts, alongside its broader health-promoting qualities.
I just realized a very interesting question would be, if honey and in turn the sugars would have a negative impact on cancer. Here is the answer:
Honey, including varieties like New Zealand manuka, has demonstrated significant potential to reduce prostate cancer progression and metastasis primarily through several mechanisms revealed in in vitro studies on prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU145):
- Inhibition of Metastatic Traits: Honey reduces cancer cell migration, invasion, and especially adhesion to the extracellular matrix (collagen I) by up to 90%, effectively impairing the cancer cells’ ability to spread and establish new tumors. This anti-metastatic effect is enhanced by the combined action of honey’s sugars and phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and chrysin.
- Anti-Proliferative and Apoptotic Activity: Honey and its bioactive components, particularly chrysin, induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in prostate cancer cells and decrease their viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This effect helps to slow tumor growth.
- Modulation of Cancer-Related Signaling Pathways: Manuka honey has been shown to reduce the activity of pathways like AMPK/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, which are typically upregulated in cancer cells to promote survival and proliferation.
- Synergistic Effect of Components: The combined phenolics and sugars in honey work more effectively together against cancer progression than any single component alone, highlighting the importance of whole honey over isolated extracts.
In summary, honey impacts prostate cancer by reducing tumor cell migration, invasion, and adhesion—key steps in metastasis—while promoting cancer cell apoptosis and inhibiting growth-related signaling. These promising in vitro findings support honey’s potential as a complementary agent in prostate cancer management, though clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety in patients.