Nutritional recommendations for prostate cancer patients

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There are several studies with big data that show that the diet can help prevent prostate cancer. But what effect does the food you eat have on men with prostate cancer? And what are the nutritional recommendations for prostate cancer patients? Join us as we continue to learn more about the link between diet and prostate cancer.

1. Does diet affect your prostate cancer progression?

Prostate cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of certain cells in the small walnut-shaped gland that surrounds the opening of a man's bladder. Some prostate cancers grow slowly and never cause problems, but others grow faster and can be life-threatening.
Differences in diet and lifestyle may account for variation in prostate cancer rates in different countries. Good nutrition can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer and help reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression. There is a lot of research currently underway to understand more about how diet and prostate cancer are related.
We know that improved nutrition reduces the risk of metabolic cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, and often improves overall quality of life. It is estimated that one-third of cancer deaths in the United States can be attributed to diet in adults, including the impact of diet on obesity. In addition, a healthy diet helps increase energy levels, facilitates recovery and boosts the immune system.
Researchers conducted an 11-day study where men followed the Pritikin program. The Pritikin program includes a diet high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and very low in fat. This diet is applied in conjunction with 60 minutes of daily exercise. Serum IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor) decreased by 20 percent after following the program for 11 days. Higher IGF-I values ​​have previously been associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer. This decrease in IGF-I may be related to the lower serum insulin levels observed with a healthy, low-fat, plant-based diet and regular exercise.
Another federally funded Men's Diet and Activity (MEAL) study looked at how a diet high in plant-based foods can slow the progression of prostate cancer prostate. In phase 3 of this clinical trial, 478 participants with prostate cancer ate seven or more servings of vegetables with an emphasis on lycopene and carotenoids - such as tomatoes and carrots - each day.
About half of the group received diet training over the phone, while the other half, the control group, followed dietary advice from the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
While both groups had similar cancer progression after two years, the researchers are optimistic that large-scale dietary changes are possible in men with prostate cancer.
However, more research is still needed to confirm the long-term effects of a plant-based diet on prostate cancer

2. Nutritional recommendations for prostate cancer patients

A healthy diet should include:
A mostly plant-based diet Eat lots of vegetables and fruits High in fiber Low in fat Limit simple sugars Drink lots of water Limit calories to the safest level Exercise regularly Limit alcohol and tobacco 2.1. Plant-based diets A plant-based diet should include the following:
Fruits and vegetables Grains Grains Legumes Other sources of plant protein. 2.2. Fruits and vegetables Reasons you need to eat more vegetables and fruits:
They contain vitamins, minerals and fiber as well as various cancer-fighting phytochemicals, such as carotenoids, lycopene, indoles and flavonols. There is consistent evidence that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of many cancers. Although the results on prostate cancer risk are inconclusive, they are promising. Men who consumed at least 28 servings of vegetables per week had a reduced risk of prostate cancer compared with those who ate less than 14 servings per week. There is some evidence that vegetables — especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli — may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. . Men who ate more than one serving of cruciferous vegetables per week had a 41% lower risk of prostate cancer than men who ate less than one serving per week. According to several key population studies, the benefits of fruits and vegetables for cancer protection may be related to the high levels of carotenoids in certain fruits and vegetables. One study found that fructose, or fruit sugar, lowers the risk of prostate cancer. What you need to do:
Eat 8-10 servings (about 1/2 cup = 1 serving) of colorful fruits and vegetables daily (especially healthy options including: broccoli, cauliflower, and cauliflower) white, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, arugula, garlic, leeks, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, berries, melons, citrus fruits, grapes, herbs and spices) Consume enough lycopene: 3 /4 cup ketchup or 340 grams tomato juice or 6 tablespoons ketchup Consider drinking pomegranate juice concentrate every day

2.3. Fiber A plant-based diet high in fiber offers the following benefits:
Fiber can bind to toxic compounds and carcinogens, which are then eliminated from the body. Diets high in fiber work to reduce hormone levels that may be involved in the progression of prostate cancer. One study showed that a high-fiber, low-fat diet applied for just 10 days resulted in serological changes that reduced prostate cancer growth. Prostate cancer mortality is inversely related to consumption of whole grains and nuts or seeds, according to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. A diet rich in natural fiber obtained from fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains such as whole grains and breads may reduce the risk of cancer and reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression. prostate. What you need to do:
Eat 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day. For more fiber, choose bread with 3 grams or more of fiber per slice. The first ingredient on the label must be whole or germinated cereal flour, not white or unbleached white flour. Also, include more whole grains — such as oats, barley, quinoa, amaranth, bulgur, and millet — in your diet.
Limit processed and refined grains, flours, and sugars Avoid consuming too much carbohydrate-rich foods 2.4. Low-fat diet Here are some points to keep in mind with a low-fat diet :
Increased cancer risk in developed countries can be partly attributed to a stimulating high-fat diet increased testosterone levels, which are known to be associated with the development of prostate cancer. A comprehensive review reported that 24 of 32 studies showed a positive, although not all statistically significant, association between dietary fat intake and prostate cancer risk. paralysis. However, prospective studies to date have not found a consistent link between prostate cancer and overall fat intake. What to do :
Most researchers agree to aim for 20% of your total calories from fat, with less than 10% of your total calories from saturated fat.
Saturated fat Several studies show a positive association between saturated fat intake from meat and dairy products and prostate cancer. The consumption of red meat and dairy products also seems to be associated with an increased risk of metastatic prostate cancer. So it's smart to reduce or eliminate consumption of red meat, milk and other dairy products.
You should: reduce or eliminate your consumption of red meat, milk and other dairy products. Limit your regular use of butter, mayonnaise, baked goods, and salad dressings because they are high in saturated fat and total fat. Consider rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice or salsa as an alternative salad dressing. Limit cheese intake. Cheese is typically 60 to 80 percent fat, the majority of which is saturated fat.
Trans fats (trans fats) Trans fatty acids are known to cause atherosclerosis or heart disease. They can also cause an imbalance in the hormonal system that regulates the healing process, leading to the building of faulty membranes and encouraging cancer growth
You should: Limit substance use Hydrogenated fats, found in products like margarine, fried foods, and processed foods, are high in harmful trans fatty acids. When you read that a product contains "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" oils, you may want to consider putting that product back on the shelf. The trans fatty acid label went into effect in 2006, so the nutrition label must clearly state the amount of trans fatty acids in the product.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and its progression. They induce apoptosis (cell death), prevent the onset of cancer cells, and compete with arachidonic acid to help limit the harmful effects of arachidonic acid. One study found that men who consumed cold water fish three to four times per week had a reduced risk of prostate cancer. A more recent study showed similar results. Men who consumed fish three or more times per week also had a lower risk of prostate cancer, particularly for metastatic prostate cancer, where the effect was even greater.

Researchers in New Zealand reported that men with high levels of EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fats found in fish, had a 40% lower risk of prostate cancer than men with low blood counts. short. A 30-year follow-up study found that men who did not eat fish were two to three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than men who ate moderate or large amounts of fish. The possible mechanism of cancer reduction is through inhibition of arachidonic-derived eicosanoid biosynthesis.
Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include cold water fish - such as salmon, trout, herring and sardines - flaxseeds, walnuts, soybeans and canola oil.
You should : Consume fish at least twice per week to get the required amount of Omega-3. Fish and plant-based foods contain many different types of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), two specific fatty acids that have shown promising results in research. Plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed and others listed above, contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).
In an ideal environment, ALA is converted to EPA and DHA, however, in 10% to 20% of the population, this conversion is dysfunctional. On the plus side, the transition is enhanced by following a diet low in saturated fat and low in omega-6 fatty acids.
Nuts Nuts are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which have a neutral effect on promoting cancer growth and may be beneficial for heart disease. However, they are also high in fat.
You should: Minimize consumption of nuts due to their high fat content like peanuts, macadamia nuts and pistachios.
Eat lots of nuts especially walnuts, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds. Eat plenty of wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds and hazelnuts for vitamin E. If possible, eat 2 Brazil nuts a day to get enough selenium.
2.5. Simple Sugars Simple sugars are usually:
Highly processed and refined Low nutritional value Low fiber Furthermore, these foods appear to increase serum insulin and serum IGF-I levels, which may increase serum insulin levels. can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
You should : consume simple sugars in limited quantities. Avoid sweets like candy, cookies, cakes, and pies. Limit your intake of refined flour products.
2.6. Drink lots of water Your body needs to stay hydrated due to the role water plays in your body:
Carrying nutrients and wastes Involved in chemical reactions Acts as a lubricant and cushion around Joints Acts as shock absorbers in the eyes and spinal cord Helps regulate body temperature Maintains blood volume In addition, your body also needs more fluids after eating a high-fiber diet.
You should: Drink plenty of water daily to help meet fluid needs. Note that caffeine acts as a diuretic, increasing water loss. Your fluid needs increase with high consumption of caffeinated beverages.
2.7. Limit calories to the safest extent Some evidence indicates that high calorie intake increases the risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer. A controlled study reported a 115% increased risk of prostate cancer in situ and a 96% increased risk of regional/distant prostate cancer for those who consumed a higher calorie (2,439 calories) diet. or more per day) than those who ate a lower-calorie diet of 1,322 fewer calories a day).

In a separate study, researchers reported a nearly 4-fold increased risk of prostate cancer in men who consumed the most calories (2,624 more calories per day) compared with men who consumed the most calories. least calories (1,064 calories per day).
An earlier study showed that calorie intake was positively associated with preclinical prostate cancer risk; As calories increase, the risk of cancer increases dramatically. The greatest risk was for subjects who consumed more than 3,475 calories per day. All of these suggest that the mechanism involved may be related to the decrease in IGF-I observed when calorie intake is restricted.
2.8. Exercise Regularly Try to spend 3 hours a week doing vigorous activities like cycling, tennis, jogging, swimming, etc. Brisk walking may count, if the intensity is enough to raise your heart rate.
2.9. Limit alcohol and tobacco Quit smoking completely Limit alcohol consumption to no more than 2 drinks per day Avoid sugary drinks (such as soda, juice, sports drinks, sweetened tea).

3. A few small notes

Consume adequate, but not too much calcium. Total intake from foods and supplements should not exceed 1200mg per day. Take calcium supplements only if recommended by your doctor. Do not consume food that has been reheated in a plastic container in the microwave.

4. Myths about nutrition and cancer

Coffee doesn't increase cancer risk (but we're not talking Frappuccinos here!) Supplementing with lycopene, selenium, and vitamin E doesn't lower prostate cancer risk. It's not as simple as "sugar cancer." "—Insulin is the key factor. To control insulin levels in the body, choose grains that are minimally processed and include healthy fats; exercise almost daily; keep the body from getting fat, especially reduce belly fat.
Diet is just one part of a healthy lifestyle. Here are some other action items to keep in mind:
Join a support group or community of people who share the same illness as you Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is associated with adverse outcomes in men with prostate cancer. Find an exercise you love and make it a regular part of your routine. Walking, swimming, and lifting weights are all good options. Eliminate or reduce the use of tobacco products Eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption. Maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle during treatment can sometimes be challenging. But it is achievable and may help avoid disease recurrence.
And finally, despite its benefits, healthy eating should never be a substitute for medical intervention or supervision during cancer control.

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References: healthline.com, ucsfhealth.org, stanfordhealthcare.org, doctorsfornutrition.org