Prostate cancer is form of cancer which develops at the prostate level, a gland at the intersection between the urinary and the genital system, of men. There are many legends which support that some types of legumes or vitamins can have a preventive role in the case of the prostate cancer. Below, Camelia Moldovan, nutritionist at the Medisprof clinic, expresses her vision concerning the myths.

1. Is there a link between the legumes of Alliums type and the prostate cancer?

Legumes from the Alliums class, such as garlic, onion, green onion, leek and asparagus, contains organo-sulfur and flavonoids components. Research labs suggest the fact that the organo-sulfur components can modulate the activity of many enzymes which results from death of cancerous cells, reason why they are considered as prevention agents in cancer apparition.

According to a study realized in China, men who consumed more than 10g of Alliums legumes (equivalent of approximately 2 cloves of garlic), presented a reduction of 50% of localized prostate cancer risk. The benefits were meaningful in case of men with localized prostate cancer and were independent of corporal mass, the food intake or quantity of calories. This study support the concept a diet, rich in fruits and legumes is associated with a reduction of the cancer risk.
Although, additional studies are mandatory in order to confirm this statement, the study results suggest the fact that Alliums class legumes have the properties of preventing cancer and recommend an increased contribution of these foods.

2. What is the link between an increase consumption of calcium and the prostate cancer?

An increased intake of calcium and dairy products (main source of calcium in alimentation) can increase the risk of a prostatic cancer apparition. Calcium comes from diary products and can increase the risk of prostate cancer by reducing the circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D, an active form of the vitamin D, with an important role in prostatic cancer (it is considered that a weak level of vitamin D can have a role in prostatic cancer development).

Dozens of studies analyzed the link between calcium intake and prostate risk cancer, and the results are inconclusive. One of the studies presents a correlation between the intakes of calcium and the apparition of prostatic cancer, but there are studies which don’t support this theory.

In this sense, it is necessary to sort the information regarding the presentation form of calcium, the origin of it (from supplements, from food, both or neither) and the relation of it with the risk of apparition of prostatic cancer. The results of some studies, realized on calcium supplements, with daily administration of four years, didn’t present an increase or decrease of the apparition risk of this disease. Other studies, regarding the intake of dairy products and the risk of apparition of the prostate cancer, suggest the fact that, in comparison with men with a smaller intake of dairy products per day, those who consumed more than 3 portions per day shown a higher risk of the disease apparition. Yet, other studies don’t present this link.

In many studies which attest of the link between the dairy products consumption and the prostate cancer, the products with a weaker quantity of fat (skimmed, 0% fat, light) present more problems than the ones with high level of fat; skimmed products were associated with an increase in disease apparition risk when the integral ones didn’t show this risk.

To the question “how much calcium is too much?”, studies suggested the fact that a moderate intake of dairy products, up to 3 portions/day, isn’t associated to a risk for the prostatic cancer apparition, motive why those products shouldn’t be totally eliminated of the alimentation, but should be consumed with moderation.

3. A nutrition advice.

The nutrition can reduce the incidence of prostatic cancer and help to reduce the risk of disease progression. The current researches showed the benefic effects of a healthy diet in order to reduce the incidence of the disease of heart, the diabetes, the obesity and an increase of life quality in general. Furthermore, a healthy diet helps to increase the level of energy, in order to facilitate the recuperation and consolidates the immune system.

Patients in an early stage of the prostatic cancer and who choose an active monitoring can avoid or delay the conventional treatment for a minimum of two years by changing their alimentation, by making appropriated physical activity and a normal fat quantity. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol and avoiding smoking can also help in prevention.

Dietetic factors identified with having an etiologic role in prostatic cancer include the excessive intake of fat, obesity, an excessive consumption of estrogen, fito-estrogen and consumption of grilled or carbonated. Food

The recommendations regarding the reduction of prostatic cancer apparition risk include:

• Limitation of dairy products consumption:
• Avoiding the consumption of grilled, roasted or fried
• Increase of fruits and legumes consumption

“The food is the most powerfull factor that people can control.”

The most powerful food factor associated with the increased incidence of prostatic cancer is obesity. A significant prevalence of supra-alimentation and resulted obesity, along with other risk factors, can explain the increasing incidence of this disease. Overweighed men who reduce their weight may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

In order to book an appointment with a medical counselor in the Medisprof Oncology clinic or for a meeting with one of our specialist in nutrition, you can call the following phone number: 0246 439 270.
For any other information, you can contact the following email address : office@medisprof.ro