There is a growing body of evidence that suggests diet may
be related to prostate cancer, and The Prostate Centre developed
this material to inform men of dietary choices.
The recommendations in this site are just that, an outline
of suggestions based on existing research. A certain degree
of uncertainty exists, and more research is presently in
progress, but may take years to complete. In the meantime,
changing your diet may affect the way in which your risk
of developing prostate cancer, or if already diagnosed,
how the cancer progresses. At the very least, the suggestions
will probably improve your overall health, decrease the
risk of heart disease, and offer a greater sense of control
over your treatment.
The information in this site is our best attempt to offer
nutritional counselling. We are unable to make any claims
that by following this diet it will indeed help or harm
you.
Please note: Men with pre-existing health
conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes should consult
their physician before undertaking a diet change or taking
nutritional supplements. The suggestions in this pamphlet
are not meant in any way to replace treatment or therapy
suggested by your doctor, but merely to compliment them.
For more information on diet, visit the Prevention
section of this web site.
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A healthy low fat diet including 5 to 10 servings per day
of vegetables and fruits has shown to be effective in preventing
cancer. DNA, the body's basic building blocks relies on
the vitamins and minerals contained in these foods in order
to form genes. When these nutrients are missing from your
diet, genes may become damaged and this is thought to contribute
to cancer. Foods that are high in beta-carotene (a vitamin
found in many vegetables) reduce the risk of cancer by protecting
the DNA from damage and helping the cell defend itself.
Foods high in beta-carotene include dark-green, leafy vegetables,
broccoli, spinach (cooked), romaine lettuce, beets, kale,
carrots and sweet-potatoes. Cooked tomatoes are high in
a type of carotene called "lycopene" (it gives
tomatoes their red colour) that is much more powerful than
beta-carotene in preventing cancer.
Foods that are high in saturated fat (found primarily in
meat and dairy products) should be avoided because these
fats seem to stimulate the growth of prostate cancer. Heavy
alcohol intake (22 to 57 drinks per week) has also been
linked with prostate cancer. This may be because alcohol
interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
If you are recovering from surgery, you should eat foods
containing plenty of fiber and bulk to reduce the constipation
caused by surgery. This includes whole wheat, bran, oatmeal,
and cereals, as well as fruits and vegetables. You may also
be anemic due to blood loss in surgery and may want to supplement
your diet with foods high in iron. This would include cooked
spinach, beet greens, liver, kidney, lentils, apricots,
dates and prunes. |
