Mediterranean diet best way to prevent prostate cancer – ScienceDaily
Men who regularly consume colorful fruits and vegetables are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC), according to new research from scientists at the University of South Australia.
The results of two studies published in the journal Malignant tumors, highlight the importance of a Mediterranean or Asian diet that includes these foods.
Researchers compared plasma micronutrient concentrations of prostate cancer patients with healthy controls, finding lower levels of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and selenium in PC patients and higher levels of iron, sulfur, and calcium in the same group. .
Increased DNA damage after radiation exposure was also associated with lower plasma lycopene and selenium.
Men with plasma concentrations below 0.25 micrograms (mg) per milliliter (ml) for lycopene and/or below 120 μg/L for selenium are at increased risk of developing prostate cancer and may be more sensitive to radiation damage.
Foods rich in lycopene include tomatoes, cantaloupe, papaya, grapes, peaches, watermelon, and cranberries. Foods rich in selenium include white meat, fish, shellfish, eggs and nuts.
Dr. Permal Deo, co-author of the study, said that previous research suggests that eating foods naturally rich in lycopene and selenium has limited benefits, and supplements are better.
“Our recommendation is to adopt a Mediterranean diet with the help of a nutritionist because people absorb nutrients in different ways depending on the food, their digestive system, their genotype and possibly their microbiome,” says Dr. Deo.
Prostate cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers in men, but the nutritional deficiencies associated with it remain largely unknown, hence this study.
Other risk factors such as race, family history, and age have been associated with prostate cancer in the past.
“There is strong evidence that being overweight and tall increases the risk of prostate cancer. Diets high in dairy and low in vitamin E may also increase risk, but the evidence is less clear.”
Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
The study is the first to assess plasma concentrations of micronutrients and micronutrients in relation to prostate cancer in a South Australian population.