Can I lower my prostate cancer risk with a plant-based diet?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been looking for strategies to lower my risk of prostate cancer, and I keep coming across the advice to eat a plant-based diet. I am curious about the relationship between nutrition and prostate cancer risk. Can you describe how a plant-based diet can help prevent or reduce the progression of prostate cancer?

Are there any unique trigger variables in other diets that can raise the risk of prostate cancer? Furthermore, I am curious whether there are any specific foods or nutrients in a plant-based diet that are particularly beneficial for prostate health.

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Men with prostate cancer who ate more servings of fruits, vegetables, and grains had an almost 50 percent lower risk of the cancer spreading compared with those who ate fewer plant-based foods. Eating more plant-based foods has been shown in multiple studies to improve overall prostate health. Even small dietary changes can improve the quality of life, even for people who are already 65 and older.

Even small dietary changes make a difference in the lowest level of plant-based consumption; the highest level means eating 1.9 more portions of vegetables, 1.6 additional servings of fruit, and 0.9 more servings of whole grains every day. To get a sense of what this means in real-life terms, a standard serving of fruit may be one medium apple, banana, orange, or pear. A half-cup of brown rice is considered a single serving of grains, while a single portion of vegetables may be a half-cup cooked or one cup of raw broccoli, carrots, and the like.

A vegan diet can be beneficial for prostate health. It is typically high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated fats. These dietary choices are associated with a reduced risk of prostate issues. Including foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties is particularly advantageous.

Feel free to let me know if you have any other concerns.

Regards.