Nutrition and Prostate Health
While nutrition does not cause prostate cancer per
se, nutrition appears to influence the rate of growth
of the cancer and perhaps even the extent to which
the cancer may spread. It is also estimated that 75%
of all prostate cancer is preventable with changes in
diet and lifestyle. The effect of nutrition centres on
two principles: (1) that some foods may either
promote or accelerate prostate cancer; and (2) that
other foods may interfere with the growth and
development of prostate cancer cells.Did you know that Asian men who
consume a typical Asian diet has a ninefold lower incidence
of prostate cancer, and if they get prostate cancer,
it is much less aggressive and life-threatening.
Interestingly, when Asian men migrate to the USA
their risk of prostate cancer (both number of cases
and aggressiveness of those tumours) becomes
the same as any other American after just one
generation!
Fat
Increased consumption of fat is proportionally
associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.
Additionally, obesity or excess body fat is also
associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.
Increased intake of specific types of fat, such as
saturated fat (found in red meats and some baked
goods) and dietary fats, also correlates with
the aggressiveness of prostate tumours. Thus, fats
are not just calories but "chemicals" that can affect normal and
cancerous cells. Fats that may "feed" cancer cells and therefore
should be limited in one's diet, including saturated
fats, milk fats, partially hydrogenated fats, tropical
oils, and substances rich in linoleic acid, such as
corn and safflower oil. Fats which are neutral OR
inhibitory of cancer cells include polyunsaturated
oils, monounsaturated oils (olive and rapeseed)
and oils high in linolenic acid (soybean, linseed,
fish, flax seed). By lowering one's overall total
intake of fat and increasing the proportion of
"good" to "bad" fat, studies have shown that
testosterone levels in the prostate can be
reduced, thereby also reducing one of the
driving forces behind prostate cancer.
Soy
The differential soy intakes between Asian and
Western countries are thought to explain in part the
dramatic differences in prostate cancer risks
between these two societies. It may also explain
the lower rates of breast and colon cancer seen in
Asia. Soy contains isoflavones (such as genistein
and daidzem) which interfered with the life cycle
of prostate cancer cells.
Isoflavones have been shown in laboratory
experiments to halt the growth of prostate cancer
cells and choke off the blood supply of rapidly
growing prostate tumours. Mice fed diets high in
isoflavones and then injected with prostate cells
do not develop cancer, while their counterparts
consuming a regular diet will develop prostate
cancer in this model.
Fruits and Vegetables
Every day seems to bring the discovery of a new
cancer-fighting, life-extending disease-busting
nutrient isolated from fruits and vegetables, we are
supposed to be eating. The five servings of fruits and
vegetables recommended by the American Cancer
Society includes dozens of nutrients that decrease
cancer risks. High intakes of dietary fibre from
beans, lentils and peas have been associated with
decreased prostate cancer risk. Most Americans do
not achieve these minimum goals.
Lycopene found in cooked tomatoes has antioxidant
properties that concentrate in the prostate and are
associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer.
The allium vegetable family, which includes garlic,
shallots, leeks, chives, and onions contain
organosulfur compounds which interfere with cancer
cell replication, robbing the tumour of its growth
potential. The cruciferous vegetables (broccoli,
cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale chard)
contain sulforaphane and isothiocyanates which
inactivate carcinogens (environmental chemicals
which can promote cancer). The peel of citrus fruits
contain limonene and geraniol, which have been
shown to stop tumour growth in the laboratory
experiments. Citrus pulp and the white inner skin
contains pectin fibre which may stop cancer cells
from spreading.