Researchers study vegetable rich diet for prostate cancer treatment
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By Kathleen Blanchard
Food can be a powerful tool for fighting cancer and now researchers are studying whether diet, exercise and counseling can prevent prostate cancer progression. Scientists believe vegetables like kale and broccoli, combined with other lifestyle changes could be enough to stop prostate cancer from growing and spreading. UC San Diego researchers are studying the notion in a trial they call the Men’s Eating and Living (MEAL) Study.
Prostate cancer diet focuses on vegetables, less meat
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is enrolling men up to 80 years old diagnosed with non-aggressive early stage prostate cancer in the study that will focus on the impact of lifestyle and diet for staving off prostate cancer.
According to J. Kellogg Parsons, MD, MHS, urologic oncologist at the Center, “Ours is the first study to focus on changing the entire lifestyle rather than just giving the participants a supplement pill. We focus on more vegetables, less meat, and comprehensive counseling which encourages a more active lifestyle.”
Parsons notes previous studies have found a diet high in vegetables and low in fat and meat might prevent prostate cancer and reduce the chances it will become aggressive.
For the MEAL study, participants will be asked to eat least seven servings of colorful, strong-flavored produce daily with an emphasis on cruciferous vegetables and tomato products. Other dietary interventions include a dietary focus on legumes, whole grains, beans and fruit.
Parsons says prostate cancer diagnosis is not a “death sentence”. Caught in the earliest stages, diet and maintaining an active lifestyle could have a strong impact on preventing the disease from spreading.
He explains, “One of the implicit messages that participants will take from this study is that low-risk prostate cancer can often be a condition to monitor” as opposed to radical interventions that can have a negative impact on quality of life.
According to the researchers, 100,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. For many, the slow glowing nature of the disease does not require immediate intervention with radiation or surgery.
The study provides an opportunity to allow men diagnosed with prostate cancer to take control through diet and lifestyle changes that the scientists say could ultimately shift and refine treatment options.
Numerous studies have found prostate cancer and progression might be possible by focusing on a diet rich in vegetables, lower intake of meat and exercise. The impact of diet for treating prostate is now being tested by researchers.
University of California News Release
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