Dietary recommendations and culinary ideas for individuals suffering from prostate cancer
In the fight against prostate cancer, maintaining a healthy diet plays a crucial role. Recent research suggests that a plant-based diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and low in saturated fats, processed meats, added sugars, and alcohol, can help manage or prevent prostate cancer.
Embracing a Plant-Based Diet
The American Cancer Society and other health organisations recommend consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, are particularly beneficial due to their sulforaphane content, which may help protect healthy cells and inhibit cancer cell growth. Other fruits that may be beneficial include grapes, grapefruit, blueberries, raspberries, apples, and citrus fruits.
The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Consuming omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially EPA and DPA, found in deep-sea fish, fish oil, and certain fermented foods (natto), is linked to reduced prostate cancer risk and improved survival. The suggested intake is about 0.02–0.04 g/d for EPA and 0.03–0.22 g/d for DPA, achievable with two servings of fish per week, while keeping total omega-3 intake under 0.4 g/d to balance risks.
Caloric and Macronutrient Restriction
Experimental evidence from mouse models shows that an intermittent fasting approach (alternate-day fasting) that restricts protein, fats, and carbs can reduce androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer, enhancing treatment efficacy. This suggests that caloric and macronutrient restriction may slow tumor growth.
Limiting Harmful Dietary Components
Saturated and trans fats, processed meats, added salt, added sugars, and alcohol should be minimized as they can contribute to poor cancer outcomes.
Ensuring Food Safety
During treatment, patients should avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables to reduce infection risk due to immune suppression.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight and Physical Activity
Managing weight through nutritious diets and exercise is important for cancer prevention and survivorship. The recommended weekly exercise for adults is around 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity. Activities that increase heart rate and make a person sweat, such as brisk walking, jogging, running, fast swimming, and fast cycling, are beneficial.
Organic Foods and Red Meat
While following an organic diet may reduce the risk of developing cancer, it is more important to eat a variety of healthy foods - such as fruits and vegetables - on a daily basis, whether organic or not. People may opt for organic foods wherever possible to avoid potentially harmful pesticides and chemicals. It is also recommended to limit or avoid red meat, processed meat, and charred meat, choosing lean poultry or fish instead.
In summary, a diet rich in plant foods and omega-3s, coupled with occasional caloric restriction or intermittent fasting, and limited intake of processed and high-fat animal foods, is recommended for prostate cancer management or prevention. These dietary patterns support reduced tumor growth, improve treatment response, and enhance overall health outcomes. Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight further contribute to cancer prevention and survivorship.
- A plant-based diet, rich in fruits like grapes, grapefruit, and blueberries, and vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, is recommended by health organizations for prostate cancer management and prevention.
- Consuming omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, found in foods like deep-sea fish, fish oil, and natto, may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and improve survivor outcomes.
- An intermittent fasting approach, with caloric and macronutrient restriction, has shown the potential to reduce androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer, enhancing treatment efficacy.
- To minimize poor cancer outcomes, it's important to limit the consumption of saturated and trans fats, processed meats, added salt, added sugars, and alcohol.
- Maintaining a healthy weight through nutritious diets and exercise, along with 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week, is crucial for cancer prevention and survivorship.
