Can Diet Influence Prostate Cancer Progression?

Epidemiological and preclinical studies indicate that nutrition can influence the risks, progression, metastasis, and mortality of prostate cancer. The epidemiological studies have shown the benefits of ingesting vegetables and fruits high in vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, lycopene and other micronutrients as well as a diet that is low in animal fat. Proof-of-principle studies have also shown that diet can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Some of the pilot studies observed that men who ate less fat and meat with more vegetable intake were healthier than those who didn’t.

A study was conducted to get men with prostate cancer to undergo active surveillance to increase their vegetable intake. The aim was to prevent prostate cancer progression and reduce the number of men who need treatment.

It was observed that;

• Close correlations between fat intake and prostate cancer mortality widely generated interest in the underlying mechanisms for this connection, such as through proinflammatory fatty acid metabolites, serum levels of androgens, free radicals, or insulin-like growth factor.
• A lot of interest currently lies in the potential of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) to play a chemopreventative role in prostate cancer. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, is presumed to exert a protective effect in the prostate.
• Vitamin E and selenium have been observed to decrease the prostate cancer risk in some men. Calcium may also support vitamin D-related antiproliferative effects in prostate cancer. Certain soy proteins, common in the Asian diet, have been shown to inhibit the cell growth of prostate cancer. Finally, green tea is shown to also have a chemopreventive effect by inducing apoptosis.

Despite the confounding factors present in all clinical studies assessing the effect of diet on the risk of cancer, the data collected remains compelling that a variety of nutrients may actually prevent the development and progression of prostate cancer.

About Author

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed impla