Results of a review of existing studies suggests that a diet low in fat and red meat and high in fruits and vegetables is beneficial in preventing and treating prostate cancer.
Dietary therapy has been proposed as a cost effective and noninvasive means of reducing the risk of prostate cancer and its progression. There is a large volume of published studies describing the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
Researchers systematically reviewed the data for dietary-based therapy in the prevention of prostate cancer, as well as in the management of patients with prostate cancer, aiming to provide clarity surrounding the role of diet in preventing and treating prostate cancer.
Although conclusive evidence is limited, the researchers found that a diet low in fat, high in vegetables and fruit, and avoiding high energy intake, excessive meat, and excessive dairy products and calcium intake could be helpful in preventing prostate cancer, and for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Specifically, consumption of tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, green tea, and vitamins including Vitamin E and selenium seemed to propose a decreased risk of prostate cancer. Consumption of highly processed or charcoaled meats, dairy products, and fats seemed to be correlated with prostate cancer.
“Although not conclusive, results suggest that general dietary modification has a beneficial effect on the prevention of prostate cancer,” the authors conclude. “In patients with prostate cancer, dietary therapy allows patients to be an active participant in their treatment.”
References:
1. Robert W.-L. Ma, K. Chapman. A systematic review of the effect of diet in prostate cancer prevention and treatment. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI 10.1111/j.1365-277X.2009.00946.x
