Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and it is estimated that 1 in 6 (16.2%) will be diagnosed with the disease and approximately 1 in 33 (3%) will die of it.¹ Prostate cancer mainly affects older men, and because most prostate cancers grow slowly, most men with prostate cancer end up dying of something else. A small percentage of prostate cancers are fast-growing, however, so ignoring the risks is not the right approach. Symptoms of prostate cancer may mimic an enlarged prostate and may also include the following signs or symptoms:

• Blood in the urine
• Problems with urinating (weak stream, frequent urination)
• Trouble getting an erection
• Weakness in legs or feet
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Pain in back, hips, chest or other areas

It is thought that prostate cancer risk may start very early in life such as from toxic exposures and/or dietary factors. Trends from population studies have shown associations that suggest various lifestyle factors may influence risk of prostate cancer including:

• Eating dairy-based foods
• Eating too many animal products in general
• Not eating enough protective plant nutrients

Eating too many animal products raise IGF-1 and cadmium levels in our bodies as well as can affect other factors such as excess hormones, all of which have been associated with cancers, specifically prostate cancer. Foods high in lycopene (and other carotenoids), plant sterols, selenium, and other nutrients (such as in tomatoes, seeds, other vegetables, etc.) lower risk. A Nutritarian lifestyle takes advantage of these and many other cancer protective nutrients, while minimizing foods that raise risk.

Diet

• For those trying to prevent or those with prostate cancer, a Nutritarian lifestyle is helpful and lifespan promoting.
• Reducing animal products in general is protective. Specifically avoiding milk and other dairy products is most important as dairy foods are directly associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.^{1, 2}
• Many plant foods have been found to contain cancer-fighting nutrients for prevention or part of a treatment regimen for prostate cancer. Of the foods studied, the following have shown the most convincing evidence for protection.
  • Foods high in carotenoids—Tomatoes, pomegranate, green vegetables, watermelon, pink grapefruit, red peppers, berries, figs, and many others.
  • In clinical studies, patients with prostate cancer who took pomegranate extract or pomegranate juice daily slowed their PSA doubling time, suggesting that pomegranate could help to prevent recurrence of the disease.^{3, 4}
  • Seeds and nuts—Seeds and nuts are high in lignans, selenium, plant sterols, and other protective nutrients and are a force against prostate cancer.
  • Green vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, and collards)—Cruciferous vegetables contain high amounts of special sulphur-containing compounds that fight cancer.
  • Beans—Beans, including soy, are high in phytosterols and isoflavones which are healthy for the prostate and have been shown to lower PSA levels.⁵
  • Garlic and onions—Similar to cruciferous vegetables, garlic and onions have special sulfur-containing compounds that fight cancer.
  • Mushrooms—Mushrooms can be helpful at reducing prostate cancer risk as they contain various compounds that fight cancer.
  • Berries—Eating berries (strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, etc.) have been shown to help fight cancer.

• Meal plan: Anti-cancer/High micronutrient

Supplements

• Dr. Fuhrman’s general supplement protocol for adults (see Vitamin Advisor for details) includes:
  • Multivitamin (without beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, copper), such as Women’s Daily Formula +D3, Men’s Daily Formula +D3, or Gentle Care Formula.
  • Omega-3 DHA and EPA, such as DHA+EPA Purity.
  • Optional: Consider adding a mixed mushroom immune supplement, such as Immune Biotect, because of the potential immune system benefits throughout life from assorted mushroom phytochemicals not normally consumed in the diet.
• Additional supplements:
  • Green tea has anti-cancer effects in vitro, drinking green tea regularly is associated with a lower risk of cancer, and studies suggest that green tea supplements may help to reduce cancer-related biomarkers.⁶
  • Turmeric/curcumin: Curcuminoids, the widely studied bioactive components of turmeric, have anti-cancer effects in vitro, and human studies suggest beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.^{7, 8}
  • Grape seed extract has anti-cancer effect in vitro, such as inhibiting inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and aromatase activity.⁹ Clinical trials are being conducted to find out whether grape seed extract is helpful for people with cancer or at high risk of cancer. 
  • Ultra Cell Biotect provides absorption-enhanced curcumin and green tea extract plus turmeric, grape seed extract, and black turmeric extract to help neutralize free radicals and promote cellular health. Consult your physician if you are on medication.
  • Mushroom extracts: Studies suggest that concentrated mushroom extracts may be a useful addition to cancer treatment, to decrease the immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy.¹⁰
  • Immune Biotect provides assorted immune-supporting mushroom phytochemicals that are not normally consumed in the diet, plus astragalus, elderberry and other berry extracts. Consult your physician if you are on medication. 

  • Read more: Do you have a supplement formulated to enhance protection against cancer?

Exercise

Increased physical activity in general is associated with lower prostate cancer risk, however, it appears not protective enough alone, without implementing dietary prevention strategies.

Read

Eat for Life

Super Immunity

Position Paper: IGF-1, Dietary Protein and Cancer

Learn

Sign up for the online Combat Autoimmune Disease and Cancer Masterclass

Other Considerations

• The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has been evaluated and found to not significantly reduce risk of death from prostate cancer and may even lead to harm¹¹ related to the follow-up testing and procedures. Although each individual case is different, it is clear that the best method for fighting prostate cancer is to live a cancer protective lifestyle with excellent nutrition and regular exercise to reduce the risk of developing it in the first place.
• Weight loss: Obesity increases the risk of several cancers, including aggressive prostate cancer.¹² If you are overweight or obese, a Nutritarian diet style will help you reach your ideal weight.
• In my 25 years of nutritional practice I have cared for hundreds of men with early stage prostate cancer that were able to lower their PSA and either reverse or halt the progression of their prostate cancer with nutritional excellence.