Food for Good Prostate Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men in the United States. More encouragingly, prostate cancer is considered to be a slow-progressing cancer, although aggressive variants do exist. It is also considered an age-related cancer--approximately 80% of prostate tumors are found in men 65 years of age and older.
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Treatment
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Conventional treatment options typically include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation and hormone therapy. While surgery and medical therapies have other negative side effects, they also negatively impact the body's ability to absorb and utilize food and nutrients. Adopting a healthy diet is not only wise from a cancer preventative perspective but is especially critical for those who are currently fighting cancer.
Importance of a Healthy Diet
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While the underlying cause of prostate cancer is unknown, there are several known risk factors including family history, being of African American descent, obesity and a high-fat diet. While following a healthy diet and maintaining an optimal weight, make sure to include the following foods and food groups, which have been shown to have powerful anti-prostate cancer properties.
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Eat Your Vegetables
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Researchers from the National Food Research Institute in Japan studied the effects of certain carotenoids on prostate cancer cells. They found that carotenoids, specifically neoxanthin found in spinach, lycopene present in tomatoes and carotene found in carrots, significantly reduced cancer cell viability and proliferation. While carrots and spinach may be consumed raw, cooked/stewed tomatoes are more readily absorbed by the body.
Dietary Fiber
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In one study, men who followed a diet high in soluble and insoluble fiber showed a 10 percent decline in their PSA levels (prostate-specific antigen), a cancer marker. Insoluble fiber moves bulk through the intestines and prevents constipation. Good sources of insoluble fiber are leafy greens, fruit and root vegetable skins, whole wheat, legumes, nuts and seeds. Soluble fiber binds with fatty acids and manages cholesterol levels while also regulating blood sugar. Good sources of insoluble fiber include flaxseed, psyllium husk, oat and oat bran. Aim for 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily.
The Benefits of Unsaturated Fats
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Saturated fats such as those found in animal products have been linked to inflammatory diseases and a variety of cancers. Freeman and associates found that unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids were particularly helpful in regulating prostate cancer cells. The super-unsaturated omega-3 essential fatty acids are particularly beneficial, and excellent sources are cold-water fish and flax seeds. Incorporate a daily high-quality fish oil supplement into your diet.
Conclusion
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Whether as a cancer preventative measure or as an adjunct to prostate cancer treatment, proper nutrition can regenerate cells, stimulate immune function and promote health and longevity.
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References
- Kotake-Nara, E., Kushiro, M., Miyashita, K., Nagao, A., Sugawara, T., & Zhang, H. (2001). Carotenoids Affect Human Proliferation of Human Prostate Cells (Electronic Version). Journal of Nutrition 2001;131, 3303-3306.
- Tariq N., Jenkins D., Vidgen E., Fleshner N, Kendall C., Story J., et al. Effect of soluble and insoluble fiber diets on serum prostate specific antigen in men (Electronic Version) Journal of Urology. 2000;163, 114-118.
- Flanagan, R., et al., (2000). Prostatic Levels of Fatty Acids and the Histopathology of Localized Prostate Cancer (Electronic Version). Journal of Urology, 164, 2168-2172.
