Prostate cancer develops as a result of both inherited and environmental factors. It has been known since the late 1960's that there is a strong association between prostate cancer and dietary intake patterns. Data from more recent population studies and laboratory animal research support this connection. For instance, if individuals with the same genetic background are raised in two different environments, the risk of prostate cancer is the one associated with the country in which they are raised. Japanese men who migrate to the United States increase their rate of prostate cancer to the level found in Americans who have lived in the United States for many generations. It is well known that diet has a major effect on heart disease, and interestingly, those countries with a high incidence of heart disease also have a high incidence of prostate cancer. You cannot control your genetic makeup, but you can change your diet.

It is not believed that nutrition alone cures prostate cancer. Rather, nutrition can help you fight the cancer by both slowing or inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer and by strengthening your defense system against the cancer.

What is the evidence connecting nutrition and prostate cancer?

• Being obese increases the risk of prostate cancer, and there is a clear association between obesity and dietary fat intake.
• Several retrospective and prospective studies have found an association between prostate cancer and dietary fat, and none has shown a negative correlation.
• Individuals eating the highest amount of meat had a risk of developing prostate cancer 2.64 times higher that those eating the lowest amount.
• In laboratory animals with implanted prostate cancer cells, changes in dietary fat content affected prostate cancer growth.
• Diet may influence prostate cancer through changes in the levels of sex hormones. Reducing total fat consumption and increasing the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat significantly decreases both the total and free testosterone.
• Prostate risk is decreased in men who have a high intake of beans, lentils, and peas.
• Interactions are known between oxidant damage and prostate cancer development. Reduced prostate prancer has been observed in men who use the antioxidants selenium and vitamin E.
• Lycophene which is found in the prostate gland and also in tomato-containing foods has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
• Garlic, onion, leek, shallot and chives contain a number of organosulfur compounds that have been associated with a lower incidence of gastrointestinal cancers but not yet prostate cancer.
• Broccoli and other dark green vegetables contain antioxidants as well as sulfurophane which inactivates cancer-causing chemicals.
• Spices such as curry, cumin, and capsaicin (in chili pepper) have been found to have anticancer properties.
• Lemon and orange oils, which are contained in the peels, have been shown to inhibit cancer growth. Modified citrus pectin in the pulp has been shown to inhibit the spread of prostate tumors in mice.
• Reduced incidence of prostate cancer in Japan is attributed in part to the high soy protein content of the Japanese diet. Genistein, an isoflavone found in soy protein, has been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.
• The intake of omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

Practical Approaches to Changing Your Diet

• Decrease the percentage of dietary fat to 15-20% of total energy intake
  Minimize the intake of nuts of all kinds, especially peanuts and pistachios
  Switch from saturated to unsaturated fats
  Avoid salad dressings mace with oil
  Avoid mayonnaise, margarine, and butter Give up red meat - veal, beef, pork, lamb
  Avoid certain fatty fish - salmon, trout, catfish
  Avoid cheese, yogurt, and ice cream
• Increase fruit and vegetable servings to five per day
• Increase dietary fiber to 25-30 grams per day
• Increase soy protein intake to the range of 40-60 grams per day
  Soy protein powder can be obtained in many nutrition and health food stores - "SuperPro"
• Drink green tea which is high in antioxidants
• Add antioxidant vitamins daily
  Vitamin E 800 units
  Selenium 200 mcg
  Vitamin A 1000 mg
  Vitamin C 1000 mg