Prostate Health and Cancer Prevention

By Kate Crosby, BS, CNP
June 23, 2015

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers for men. About one in every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.¹ Think about that for a moment. That means one of the seven men in your family is destined to develop this disease. The better news is only one in 38 men will die of this disease. Unfortunately, African American men are more at risk of developing prostate cancer and dying of it.² Vietnam vets are also at in increased risk for developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange (see callout below).

Why is prostate cancer so prevalent? What can men do to keep their prostates healthy and prevent cancer? The good news is, there is a lot men can do to prevent their risk.

How diet and food choices affect prostate cancer

A study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center tells us that eating fried foods increases a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. That means the French fries served with your hamburger, steak, or your fast food meal are increasing your risk. Why? Almost all restaurants use hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils to fry foods. These oils increase inflammation in your body, which has long been associated with cancer development. Other examples of fried foods include doughnuts (yup, those convenience store doughnuts you may pick up with your coffee and gas fill-up), fried chicken, and fried fish. Even foods that are not fried, but contain these hydrogenated oils, will create inflammation. Pies, crackers, cookies, baked goods, whipped toppings, and coffee creamers are examples of foods often made with hydrogenated oils.

This study also tells us that if a man eats fried foods once or more per week, he has a 30-37 percent higher rate of developing prostate cancer. Men with the lowest rate of prostate cancer ate fried foods less than once a month.³

So, what do you do? At Nutritional Weight & Wellness, we suggest eliminating foods from your diet that contain hydrogenated oils. If you are shopping, look on the ingredients label for the words, “partially hydrogenated” or “hydrogenated” oil. If you see these ingredients on a product, don’t buy it! Let’s be clear…eating fats is not the problem. It is the kind of fat that causes inflammation that is the problem. Be sure to include good fats in your diet like raw nuts and seeds, olive oil, olives and avocados to keep you satisfied.

Another ingredient to be aware of is sugar. Foods high in sugar create inflammation and also feed cancer cells. A study found that men whose diets were high in sugar have a 57 percent higher risk of getting prostate cancer.4 What high sugar foods are you consuming? Do you drink fruit juices, sodas, alcoholic beverages or beer? Do you eat cookies, cakes and breakfast cereals? What about pasta dishes, white potatoes and bread? These are all high-sugar foods that create an inflammatory response in your body.

Reduce inflammation by replacing these high-sugar foods with a variety of vegetables (these are carbohydrates with many minerals and vitamins) in your meals. Have cooked spinach with your eggs at breakfast. Include a side of raw veggies like snap peas, peppers, or cucumbers with your lunch. Roast up some asparagus and serve with a burger for dinner.

Lunch ideas that can help to prevent prostate cancer

• A hearty salad of mixed lettuces and cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and carrot chunks, with about six ounces of cooked chicken, served with an olive oil dressing and nuts (Nuts have another benefit for the prostate since they contain zinc).
• At Chipotle™, order a salad bowl with two servings of a meat, guacamole, and a small scoop of black beans and top with olive oil and vinegar salad dressing.
• At a restaurant? Order a grilled hamburger patty (no bun) with a bowl of vegetable soup or side salad with olives and olive oil dressing.
• Have 3 cups of chili topped with a dollop of guacamole. Add a side of celery and peanut butter for a balanced meal.

Toxic estrogens also play a role

It is important to note that exposure to toxic estrogens plays a role in prostate health. Toxic estrogens include pesticides and herbicides, as well as hormones fed to animals to speed up their growth process prior to slaughter. Plastic containers and Styrofoam cups, as well as some ingredients in spermicides, sunscreens, and chlorine-based cleaners are examples of xenoestrogens—chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body. This is why exposure to chemicals, such as Agent Orange, has been linked to prostate cancer. Men exposed to toxic estrogens may experience breast development, fat build up, erectile dysfunction, depression, hair loss, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), or prostate cancer.

Vietnam vets are at a higher risk

Agent Orange exposure in the Vietnam War during the ‘60s and ‘70s has been linked to an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Exposure to Agent Orange was linked to a 52 percent increase in prostate cancer and a 75 percent increase in the more aggressive forms of the disease. Are you a Vietnam vet? Although exposure to Agent Orange has been shown to increase your chances of developing prostate cancer, there are still things you can do to decrease your risk.

 

To reduce the build-up of toxic estrogens, it’s important to support the liver in getting rid of them from the body. Eating lots of vegetables (like cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbages, arugula and watercress) helps the body detox these toxic estrogens. Taking a scoop of Dynamic Fruits & Greens in water or in a smoothie is another way to get a healthy dose of these detoxifying vegetables.

Supplements that can help

Besides eating real foods, there are supplements that can be very helpful for preventing prostate cancer and for improving prostate health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These fish oils are an important part of an inflammation-reducing plan. Taking 3000-6000mg quality omega 3s daily is helpful for reducing inflammation in the body.

Zinc

The prostate gland is like a sponge for zinc. Zinc supports chromosome integrity (that’s cancer prevention), as well as the immune system in general. Meat, leafy greens and pumpkin seeds are foods rich in zinc. Include these in your diet daily. You can also take a quality zinc supplement.

Vitamin D3

It’s important to keep your vitamin D level somewhere between 50 and 70. There is more and more research showing the importance of vitamin D supplementation, and cancer prevention is one of them. Talking with a nutritionist to decide the amount you need is important.

Ultra Prostagen®

Ultra Prostagen has a combination of nutrients and herbs associated with prostate health. Saw Palmetto reduces the conversion of testosterone to a more dangerous form associated with prostate cancer. Your nutritionist can determine the appropriate dosage for you.

Testralin™

Testralin is a product that reduces toxic estrogens in the body. The combination of ingredients helps to increase urine flow and reduces prostate hypertrophy as well as reducing cancer cells. Taking one, three times a day is a good dose. If prostate issues are bothering you, see your medical doctor for an accurate diagnosis, but then see a nutritionist to create a meal plan and supplement regimen that will support your prostate health. Diet can have a big impact on prostate symptoms. At Nutritional Weight & Wellness, we love to help men take charge of their health!

SOURCES:
1.    Cancer.org
2.    American Cancer Society
3.    Men’s Health, 2/3/2013
4.    Natural News, Nov 17, 2008