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Researchers from Canada have found that having a diet of red
meat, organ meats, soft drink and bottled water increased the
risk of getting prostate cancer. They compared the diets of 80
men with prostate cancer, and 334 healthy men, and the diet just
described more than doubled the risk of developing prostate
cancer.
So what prostate diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer?
Swedish researchers examined the diet of 1499 men with prostate
cancer and 1130 men who were healthy, and they published their
findings in the Cancer Causes and Control journal. They found
that eating foods rich in phytoestrogens decreased the risk of
prostate cancer.
Phytoestrogens are plant molecules that have a weak estrogenic
effect. They are made converted in the intestines from plant
precursors by bacteria as they digest food. They are taken up by
the same parts of the body that process the hormone estrogen.
Interestingly, one of the treatments for prostate cancer by
doctors involves using estrogens to reduce the level of
testosterone in men
with advanced prostate cancer. It does this
indirectly, through its effect on the hypothalamus, as less
luteinizing hormone releasing hormone is produced by the
hypothalamus. This means not as much luteinizing hormone is
released by the body, which suppresses the production of
testosterone.
High doses of estrogens for men can lead to cardiovascular
complications. But phytoestrogens obtained from diet, in less
quantities than a drug, and with a milder effect to start with,
should not pose a problem. And researchers don't yet know what
exactly causes phytoestrogens to have such a protective effect,
whether it is similar to that of the estrogen treatment for
advanced prostate cancers. And they don't know which
phytoestrogens are the most active.
So what phytoestrogen foods could you include in a diet for a
healthy prostate? Soy beans and nuts are a good source. Soy and
nuts contain a type of phytoestrogen called isoflavones, whilst
berries and seeds contain lignans. Foods could include peanuts,
sunflower seeds, peanuts, and
berries.
The only possible concerns with soy is that a study in mice
found that male mice that had a type of heart disease that
people also have, suffered heart failure when fed a soy based
diet. Whether this extrapolates to the human population is yet
to be established. But it may be wise for those me who have this
particular genetic heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy, to
be cautious about soy products in their diet.
But for other men, soy products could be good news. A meta
analysis, which is a study of related studies, published in the
International Journal of Cancer, found that diets high in soy
lowered men's risk of prostate cancer by 30%.
Another important mineral to consider for men is zinc. Zinc is
used by men's bodies to make some of the male hormones, and for
general prostate health. A deficiency in zinc can lead to
problems with the testicles, the prostate, and the health of the
sperm. Foods that are great sources of zinc include seeds like
pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower; nuts like almonds, brazil,
cashews
and walnuts; and foods like lettuce, oats and onions.
Raw onion is particularly suggested by Paul Bedson, a natural
therapist. He also suggests vegetable juice made of equal parts
of beetroot, carrot, and cucumber in cases where the prostate
gland is enlarged. Cranberry juice, a cup drunk three times a
day, is also recommended in this case.
References: 1. phoenix5.org/Infolink/advanced/estrogen.html
2. Australian Healthy Food, March 2006
3. Australian Healthy Food, November, 2005
4. Paul Bedson, The Complete Family Guide To Natural Healing
5.
nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=65785&m=1NIE213&c=qgtqmovbyiax
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