Dietary changes should be on the prescription pads of doctors treating
men with prostate cancer. New research shows that eating more whole
grains, vegetables, fruit, and legumes while eating less meat, dairy,
and refined carbohydrates could slow the progression of the deadly
disease.
"Studies have associated the Western diet not only with prostate
cancer incidence but also with a greater risk of disease progression
after treatment," said Gordon A. Saxe, MD, PhD, lead author of the
study and assistant professor of Family and Preventive Medicine at the
Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego.
"Conversely, many elements of plant-based diets have been associated
with reduced risk of progression."
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a marker for prostate cancer
recurrence and often the earliest sign of spread of the disease beyond
the prostate gland, even in people with no symptoms. Saxe and
colleagues conducted a six-month preliminary study to investigate
whether a plant-based diet, reinforced with stress-management
training, could prevent or lessen a rise in PSA among ten men with
recurrent prostate cancer.
The men and their spouses or other support person participated in
intensive group and individual diet and stress-reduction trainings.
The men were taught to shift their diet to more whole grains,
vegetables, fruit, and legumes and to eat less meat, dairy, and
refined carbohydrates (such as white rice, white flour, and sugar).
The people took cooking classes, participated in group discussions and
meals, and were counseled regarding calorie intake (1,600 calories per
day) and portion sizes.
Compared with the rate of PSA rise in the prestudy period, there was a
significant reduction on the rate of rise throughout the intervention
period. Nine of the ten men had a slower progression of PSA levels.
Four of the ten men had a lower PSA level than when they started the
diet. The time it took the men's PSA levels to double increased nearly
tenfold over six months, suggesting a strong protective effect.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men in the
Western world after skin cancer. About 35% of men who are treated for
the disease will experience a recurrence within ten years. These men
are at higher risk for life-threatening metastases. Prevention of such
recurrences is, therefore, an essential element of therapy.
Unfortunately, the conventional treatments to prevent recurrence, such
as hormone therapy, cause many undesirable side effects, such as hot
flashes, loss of libido, and loss of bone mass.
"These findings have significant therapeutic potential for recurrent
prostate cancer," concluded Dr. Saxe. "A natural dietary- and
lifestyle-based approach may serve as an adjunct or alternative to
hormonal therapy."
For more information visit:
http://www.prostacet.com/?aid=627156
Plant Based Diet Prevents Prostate Cancer 
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