Supplements that Lower PSA-- British Journal Nutrition 2012

Prostate Specific Antigen Affected by Fatty Acids and Coenzyme Q10

The British Journal of Nutrition reported in November 2012 that fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) alter serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein produced by prostate cells. Elevated levels of PSA are associated with prostate issues such as prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and acute bacterial prostatitis.

The investigators evaluated 504 healthy men with serum PSA level of 2.5 ng/ml or lower. The subjects received daily supplementation with:
1) Omega-3 fatty acids, including 1.12 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 0.72 grams of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per capsule,
2) Omega-6 fatty acid, including 600 mg gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) per capsule,
3) CoQ10 100 mg per capsule, or
4) Placebo.

The subjects received two capsules twice daily for 12 weeks. The researchers measured serum levels of PSA, EPA, DHA, GLA, lipid profile and reproductive hormones at the beginning of the study and again after the supplementation period.

The investigators found that EPA supplementation reduced PSA levels by 30 percent and GLA supplementation increased PSA by 15 percent compared to levels at the beginning of the study. Additionally, CoQ10 supplementation decreased PSA by 33 percent. The researchers also showed that PSA levels correlated with duration of intake with EPA, GLA and CoQ10, as well as with serum levels of DHA, EPA, GLA and CoQ10.

The researchers concluded, “The present study demonstrates that dietary supplements containing EPA, GLA or CoQ10 may significantly affect serum PSA levels.”

Reference:
Safarinejad MR, et al. Br J Nutr. 2012 Nov 30:1-8.