How to Eat for Prostate Cancer Prevention

Does Diet Play a Role in Cancer of the Prostate?

Jun 21, 2009

Diet is one factor that affects the risk of getting prostate cancer. What's the best way to eat for prostate cancer prevention?

Prostate cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer seen in men. It’s estimated that it will strike up to one in six men at some point in their lives. Prostate cancer is most commonly seen in older men, usually those over the age of fifty. Because prostate cancer touches the lives of so many men, there’s a great deal of interest in how to prevent this frequent form of cancer. One area where considerable research has been focused is on diet. Although not the only factor, diet does appear to play a role in a man’s risk of developing cancer of the prostate. Here’s the latest on how to eat for prostate cancer prevention.

Recent studies show that men who eat fatty fish at least twice a week have a lower risk of prostate cancer. Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties. It’s thought that a diet rich in omega-3’s may alter an inflammatory pathway involved in the development of prostate cancer. Unfortunately, some fish are high in mercury and other toxins and shouldn’t be eaten more than twice a week. Some doctors now recommend supplementation with fish oil supplements as an alternative way to get omega-3’s.

Those steaks and rich, creamy desserts may taste good, but they also appear to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Studies have shown that eating a diet high in saturated fat not only increases the risk of prostate cancer, but also contributes to its progression once it’s diagnosed. Body weight is also a factor. It’s known that obese men who eat a diet high in saturated fat have the worst prostate cancer prognosis. High fat diets also tend to be high in calories which plays a role in obesity, a condition which increases the risk of many types of cancer. To eat for prostate cancer prevention, a lower fat, lower calorie diet is best.

Fruits and vegetables with their high fiber and antioxidant content are thought to play a role in preventing a variety of cancers including colon and breast. Although studies have been conflicting, a fruit and vegetable rich diet may help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. One study showed that pectin, a type of fiber found in fruits and vegetables, killed prostate cancer cells in the laboratory. It’s unclear whether this same effect would be seen in the human body. Fruits and vegetables are rich in phytonutrients such as lycopene which may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. To eat for prostate cancer prevention, lycopene rich tomatoes, dark leafy greens, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli are excellent choices. Here are some tips on how to eat more vegetables.

Although calcium reduces the risk of colon cancer, the opposite appears to be true for prostate cancer. A Harvard study found that men who ate large amounts of calcium-rich dairy products had almost double the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. Calcium is important for a variety of functions including maintaining healthy bones, high calcium foods but should be eaten in moderation by men at high risk of prostate cancer.

Other Dietary Factors for Prostate Cancer Prevention

Other dietary interventions that show promise for prostate cancer prevention include the use of green tea and vitamin D. Although a diet high in selenium and vitamin E was once thought to be preventative, recent studies haven’t confirmed this. The best way to eat for prostate cancer prevention may be to consume more fruits, vegetables, and fish, while limiting dairy products and foods high in saturated fat.

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The copyright of the article How to Eat for Prostate Cancer Prevention in Men’s Health is owned by Kristie Leong. Permission to republish How to Eat for Prostate Cancer Prevention in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.