A Healthy Diet Can Protect Against Prostate Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2005 about 232,090 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. About one man in five will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 33 will die of this disease. In fact, given what we know today about cancer prevention and treatment, over 1.8 million men in the United States are survivors of prostate cancer. That’s very promising.

Still the statistics are overwhelming, and it makes every man ask what he can do to prevent prostate cancer. A big step towards prevention would be to adopt a healthy diet.

THE WRONG DIET
Studies have revealed differences in the risk of prostate cancer among different populations worldwide. For example, the mortality rate for prostate cancer in the United States is more than 400 percent than that in Japan. And the incidence of the disease in North America is 50 times higher than in China. When Japanese or Chinese men relocated to the United States, however, they acquire the higher risks of American men after only one or two generations. This indicates that prostate cancer isn’t just genetic.

Researchers suspect that diet – the amount of dietary fat in particular – is responsible. Saturated fat is the number one culprit for why American men are being affected by this increasingly common disease. Scientists at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health evaluated the diets of more than 50,000 health professionals over a four-year period. They found that the men who ate the most fat were nearly twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as men who at the least amount of fat. Additionally, men who ate the most beef, bacon, pork and lamb were more than two-and-a-half times more likely to develop prostate cancer than the men who ate the least.

Research has also shown that whole milk is another enemy of the prostate gland. Just two glasses of whole milk weekly compared with one glass a week can double the risk of prostate cancer. It’s not the milk itself; it’s the fat in the milk. Therefore, the same goes for full-fat cheeses.

THE RIGHT DIET
A man’s greatest protection from prostate cancer comes from God’s plant kingdom.

Specifically, the following are some key nutrients every man should include in his diet daily:

• Cruciferous vegetables
  Numerous studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) are especially protective against prostate cancer. In one study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, men who ate three or more servings daily of cruciferous vegetables had 41 percent lower risk of prostate cancer compared to men who ate less than one serving daily. Broccoli and cauliflower, along with brussels sprouts and kale, showed the greatest preventative benefits. (Fortunately, today we can take extracts of broccoli and cauliflower to make it easier to consume them daily.)
  
  
• Tomatoes
  Research consistently indicates that tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes, are protective against prostate cancer. Tomatoes contain many nutrients, among them vitamins C and B-complex and the minerals iron and potassium. Also in the mix are carotenoids. These include lycopene and beta-carotene, which is converted in the body into vitamin A. Lycopene, however, gets the highest marks from researchers for its potent antioxidant and cancer-protective properties. A six-year study of approximately 48,000 men found that those eating 10 servings of cooked tomato products a week had “Given what we know today about cancer prevention and treatment, over 1.8 million men in the United States are survivors of prostate cancer.”
  
  The lowest risk of prostate cancer. (A serving is equivalent to a half-cup of tomato or spaghetti sauce, a quarter cup of tomato paste, one medium tomato or one slice of low-fat pizza with tomato sauce.) In addition, the risk of advanced prostate cancer for those using tomato products was about one-third that of men eating less than two servings a week. (Fresh tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, but cooking tomatoes makes lycopene easier for your body to use. As a result, there is five times more available lycopene in tomato sauce than in the equivalent amount of fresh tomatoes.)
  
  
• Green tea
  Researchers have known for years that the incidence of prostate cancer is considerably lower in Asian countries. One possible explanation is the high consumption of plant foods among Asian populations, especially the drinking of green tea. An increasing number of scientific studies are indicating that green tea has anti-tumor effects, inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer, as well as skin cancer, esophageal cancer and other internal cancers. Americans typically consume black tea. Although it does have some effects of green tea, it is much weaker and less potent. Green tea contains more chemicals that act as antioxidants and nontoxic, cancer-preventive agents than black tea. (Green-tea extracts, or catechins, are now available, which makes it much easier to consume daily.)
  
  
• Garlc
  Various studies have demonstrated that garlic actually has a destructive effect on abnormal tumor cells. Research has indicated that within two days of exposing abnormal prostate tumor cells to garlic, the tumor growth markedly diminishes. One clove of garlic daily is very effect (also available in supplement form).
  
  
• Soy
  Soybeans, either fresh or in the form of tofu, are very popular in Asian cultures. Soy has been shown to limit the spread of cancer and can even stop its early growth. Soymilk and soy flour are sources of this protective food. Another option is to use soy protein isolate powder.
  
• Cumin
  Try adding this spice to your vegetables or other dishes. It not only adds a unique flavor to your meals, but it may prevent the development of prostate cancer.

In addition the above, I also recommend eating an antioxidant-rich diet that includes foods that contain vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and selenium. Almonds (10 per day) are a good source of vitamin E. (You should also take the following supplements: vitamin C, 1,000 milligrams twice daily; vitamin E, 800 IU daily; beta-carotene, 20,000 IU daily; and selenium, 200 micrograms daily.)

Also, higher levels of vitamin D have been shown to offer protection from prostate cancer. Men who live in sunnier climates have a lower incidence of prostate cancer (sun causes the skin to make vitamin D). Of course, don’t overdo sun exposure; only 15 minutes daily on your face, arms and legs is enough to produce protective amounts of vitamin D from your skin. Good dietary sources include fish and skimmed milk. A daily supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D will give you added insurance.