Dear Healthy Friend,

On the 18th March I wrote to you about how women could slash their risk of colon cancer (read it here), and today I bring something to the table for the men... And I do mean literally bring to the table. I'm talking about a tasty little treat that could help you reduce your prostate cancer risk...

Christine O'Brien uncovers the surprising benefits of this super snack

In the name of good health,

Taryn Strugnell
Managing Editor of Nutrition & Healing

P.S. There are a lot of different supplements out there... and Dr Wright is the biggest advocate of all-natural substances... but what to do when your doctor prescribes you synthetic forms of vitamins and minerals? See what Dr Wright says below...

Surprising source for prostate protection
Christine O'Brien
Contributor, Nutrition & Healing

I have good news for men who are concerned about prostate cancer. And really, isn't that ALL men?

Protecting your prostate could be as easy as enjoying a delicious daily snack.

We already know that nuts have numerous benefits for the body- they're a nutrient-packed powerhouse with plenty of protein and omega 3s.

And now, new research shows that walnuts in particular may offer yet another benefit - prostate protection. Researchers at UC Davis and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Regional Research Centre in California found that a diet rich in walnuts could actually reduce the size and growth rate of prostate cancer.

There's a bonus, too - such a diet could help ward off heart disease. The lead researcher said, "Walnuts should be part of a prostate-healthy diet... that includes lots of fruits and vegetables."

People with prostate cancer have high levels of endothelin, a substance that increases inflammation of blood vessels and is a factor in heart disease. Walnuts reduce levels of endothelin as well as levels of LDL cholesterol.

In the study, researchers fed lab mice genetically programmed to develop prostate cancer the equivalent of 14 shelled walnuts per day for two months. The walnut-fed mice developed prostate cancers that were about 50% smaller than mice on a control diet. The cancers also grew 30% slower.

The walnut-fed mice also had lower levels of a particular protein the increases the risk of developing prostate cancer and the walnuts had beneficial effects on multiple genes related to tumour growth.

The studies were in mice, but the researchers believe the same effects would be seen in humans. I know I'll be sending this good news along to every man I know.

But if you're looking for even more ways to protect yourself from - and fight - prostate cancer? Click here for a resource that belongs in every man's home...

With vitamin D, natural is best

Q: I've been reading a lot about vitamin D. I told my doctor I want to increase my dosage and he mentioned that he would consider putting me on a "vitamin D analogue". What is that? How is it different than vitamin D?

Dr. Wright: Vitamin D analogues are basically the synthetic, patentable, evil twins of all-natural vitamin D3.

The good news is, none of these vitamin D doppelgangers have hit the market just yet. But they're coming - as sure as you can say "patent medicine profits".

Fortunately natural versions of higher-quantity vitamin D supplements (1,000 IU, 2,000 IU and 5,000 IU) are starting to show up on the shelves of lots of different natural pharmacies and food shops so there's really no need to wait around for the synthetic analogues and test fate by taking one.

Even better, the natural versions are relatively inexpensive, depending on the strength. Once they're patented, the analogues are sure to be much more expensive than their natural counterparts.