Food and Nutrition Myths About Prostate

Hola amigos! Welcome back!

What does nutrition science really say about cancer? For Men’s Health November, David dives into nutrition myths surrounding prostate cancer.

Highlights of this episode:

• Prostate Cancer
• Nutrients of Interest
• Inflammation Pathways

Episode Description: 

[1:33] November is Men’s Health Awareness Month 

This episode is devoted to David’s father, who passed away from complications of prostate cancer. David is also growing his hair out, in honor of him and Men’s Health Awareness Month.

David’s father lacked health insurance and he tried many of the diets recommended for prostate cancer. This episode explores the research investigating nutrition and prostate cancer.

[4:19] The Prostate, the Cancer

The prostate is a walnut sized gland beneath the bladder. The prostate develops fluid that sperm requires to swim. If the prostate becomes enlarged, it can affect the urethra and cause problems. Enlargement can be benign prostatic or benign prostate enlargement, which is non-cancerous. If tumor cells grow without treatment, then the cancer can metastasize, spreading into the bone.

The best way to prevent complications is to get a regular screen of PSA. The finger up the anal cavity is no longer necessary for prostate cancer screening. If the amount of PSA is concerning to your doctor, a urologist is consulted. At the urologist, a Gleeson score is done and possibly a biopsy. A biopsy is invasive, but it is a sure way to tell if any cells are cancerous. Gleeson score has stages or grades, which a urologist can help interpret.

Active surveillance with continuous monitoring of the PSA is recommend. Treatments vary from radiation, chemo, hormone, immuno, targeted, cryotherapy (freezing), or a combination.

Bottom Line: The earlier caught, the better. You can live a healthy life later on.

[9:04] Nutrition’s Role in Risk

A review from 2020 examined the relationship between nutrition components and prostate cancer.  A review looks at multiple studies and is comprehensive analysis of studies available.

At the macronutrient levels, some studies showed that a high fat diet was associated with prostate cancer risk, but other studies did not find that association. Therefore, a low-fat diet would be controversial to recommend. There is the idea of fat-induced inflammation, but inflammation is not always bad; it is a main way your immune system fights disease. Research often builds a foundation in specific mechanisms as an understanding, without acknowledging the finer points, like: not all inflammation is bad.

Inflammation is regulated by the COX-2 pathway. Many studies confirm that saturated fats from butter and meat increase inflammation and prostate cancer. While high fat diets with unsaturated fats, like Omega-3, reduce inflammation. It’s not clear that high fats diets are a problem. The French eat a lot of dairy and meat, their prostate cancer rates are slightly lower. So that begs the question, is saturated fat the problem? Is fat really the problem?

Protein had no connection, but the way in which we cook, may have an effect. At high temperatures, HCAs, a carcinogenic compound, is created. Red meat is typically recommended to reduce in the diet, but what about slow-cooking, low heat cooking? Does this make a difference?

Similarly, the research on high intake of dairy is controversial. The research conflicts. So, is it dairy? HCAs? Red meat? Processed meats?

Carbohydrates were also discussed and focused on simple sugars. The main focus here is how the Insulin-like growth factor 1 may increase from a diet high in simple sugars. However, few human studies focus on carbohydrates and prostate cancer risk. If we look at South America and Italy, then carbohydrates like corn, rice, and pasta are highly consumed and prostate cancer is slightly lower. Fruit juice slightly increased risk, but the research is conflicting.

[19:32] Micronutrients and Phytonutrients

Lycopene is a form of Vitamin A and a phytonutrient. It is most available in cooked tomatoes. Lycopene may lower risk of prostate cancer and may be beneficial. The results suggest a genetic marker may be involved with lycopene protection. That means not all individuals will benefit.

Despite expected benefit of Vitamin D to lower risk, it was found that high levels of Vitamin D increase risk.

In the SELECT study Vitamin E and selenium supplementation didn’t lower risk of prostate cancer. However, increased risk came from increased Vitamin E supplementation.

[23:42] Green Tea Dose

Polyphenols are forms of phytochemicals, which appear to have health benefits. Green tea contains a specific polyphenol called catechin, and there is a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that has been studied for lowering risk of prostate cancer. A EGCG dose dependency was associated with lower risk, when study participants drank more than 7 cups daily.  That’s a lot of green tea.

Green tea may increase bathroom trips and it does contain caffeine. Remember the recent podcast episode about excessive caffeine?

[25:05] Soy isoflavones

Soy has an estrogen like component that may be helpful, but the dose, duration, dietary intake patterns are inconclusive at this time.

[26:05] Eating Patterns and the Gut Microbiota

Another point of research is to examine eating patterns.  Researchers classified 3 different eating patterns. A Western diet, which is high fat dairy, meats, processed meats, potatoes, etc. A Prudent diet, high in fruits and vegetables, beans, and fruit. And a Traditional (Japanese) diet, high in pickled foods, chicken, seafood, and sake. In Japanese men, there was a higher incidence of prostate cancer when a Western diet was followed.

Remember EP 34 – there are various types of processed food.  Processed foods place a moral hierarchy on foods. We have to apply pressure on the food system and food industry to cut down on ultra-processing and find ways that are more aligned with nature.

The gut microbiota, which is the natural bacteria population in a person’s gut, may play a role. Diversity in the microbiota may account for some of the variations and provide a strong immune system.

[31:28] Obesity and Overweight Risk Factors

The relationship between obesity and prostate cancer is unclear. Obesity may increase the risk of death if there is prostate cancer. Stress, sleep, connections, social isolation, unjoyful movement – may also be factors that are not as well understood.

[33:00] Diets have No Guarantee

Although nutrition is important for our health, a specific diet to lower the risk of prostate cancer is unclear. SO: Let’s Get Tested – the sooner, the better. The more men experience numbness, isolation, and feel alone, the more their health suffers.

[33:17] Nutrition Tips to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

1. If you like it, drink green tea.
2. Get in more cruciferous vegetables, berries, and fish to feed your gut microbiota and provide your body with anti-inflammatory compounds.
3. Find joyful movement with family and friends.
4. Find a provider who won’t focus on weight loss.

References:

• Examining the Relationship Between Obesity and Prostate Cancer, Study
• Influence of Diet and Nutrition on Prostate Cancer, Study

Where do I go from here?

• Listener Feedback Survey is still open!  Click here to give your feedback.  Four lucky participants will be randomly selected to receive a $25 gift card to Amazon.com!
• David’s book releases next year. It focuses on real clients, heroes and sheroes, that took one small bite towards their health that improved energy, mood, or sleep. The website has a sign-up sheet to launch a feedback group prior to publishing!

Podcast Stuff

• If you like this episode, then download the show wherever you listen to your podcasts at Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio, Castbox, etc!
• Hit that subscribe button so you won’t miss another episode.
•  Big Ask: Leave a Review! Please, take a few minutes and leave me a review on your podcast app. Each review helps other listeners find the podcast, which provides me with the ability to continue bring you unique content. So spread the love. Loss for words? Just write what you like about the show.
• Share the show with friends.

Nutrition Consulting

If you want to work with us, schedule an appointment or a free 15-minute discovery call. Explore our website and click Schedule an Appointment. Or, reach us by email info@orozconutrition.com or phone 678-568-4717.

Once again, I greatly appreciate you for listening and supporting my show. Remember, it really only takes One Small Bite to start transforming your life.

Chop the diet mentality; Fuel Your Body; and Nourish Your Soul!