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ADVANCED CANCER
GENERAL INFORMATION
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PROSTATE DISEASES
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SIDE EFFECTS
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Unfortunately, no convincing studies have found a clear link between diet and prostate cancer directly. However, clinical studies on migrants have suggested that there may be an association between prostate cancer and diet.
Changing dietary habits also have benefits for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and other cancers such as colon cancer. It should be remembered that many men with prostate cancer can be cured or their risk of dying is minimal and that a change in diet can have a tangible effect on other diseases.
Fatty substances
A diet high in fat, especially animal fat, may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. On the other hand, excess fat in the diet could lead to excess weight. Since excessive calorie consumption and obesity are two factors linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, it is better to make sure you meet your energy needs, without exceeding them.
In addition, contrary to what one might think, it is not primarily the cholesterol contained in the food that increases cholesterol in the blood, but rather a diet too rich in trans fat or saturated fat. Trans fats are fats found in processed products (fatty baked goods, fried foods, snack foods, etc.) while saturated fats are found mainly in animal products such as cheese, eggs, and meat.
Did you know that there is no cholesterol in plant products, such as fruit, grain products, and vegetables?
Red or processed meat
Studies have shown that eating red or processed meat, such as steak, burgers, sausages, bacon, cold meats, and ham may increase your risk for prostate cancer.
It is believed that a diet rich in animal fats could cause an overproduction of pollutants (free radicals) in the body, attacking the tissues and cells of the body, thereby accelerating their aging or even their destruction. If you want to reduce the amount of red and processed meat in your diet, you can try eating chicken, turkey or fish instead.
In addition, reducing salt, refined sugar and the products that contain it would be beneficial. Pay attention to industrial foods, loaded with salt or sugar, containing refined, modified ingredients or food additives.
Charred meat
Did you know that cooking at high temperature – frying, cooking on the grill, barbecue, etc. – or cooking for too long produce carcinogenic substances (called among other heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs))?
Heterocyclic amines (HAs) are human carcinogens found on any meat cooked at high temperatures, whether on a grill or in a pan or under the broiler. Part of the problem is the grilling, but the other is simply the heat. Pan-frying meats at high temperatures (over 300 F) also appears to increase cancer risk.
Meanwhile, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form when fat and juices from meats (beef, veal, lamb, pork, etc.), poultry and fish drip onto the coals or other heating surfaces and flare up in flames and smoke. They stick to meat and are only found on grilled or smoked meat.
HAs and PAHs are mutagenic—they cause changes in the DNA of cells in the laboratory that could lead to cells becoming cancerous. The most important factor in PAH production appears to be the incomplete combustion of fats that drip on the grill.
Some research suggests that burnt or charred meat may increase the risk of cancer. In animal studies, heterocyclic amines are carcinogenic (causing cancer). However, evidence in human studies is unclear. The fact remains that when in doubt…
Dairy products
Some studies have shown that eating or drinking lots of dairy products, such as milk or cheese, may increase your risk of prostate cancer.
In fact, the ingestion of calcium-rich dairy products has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer in addition to lowering vitamin D levels in the blood. It is the excess calcium and vitamin D deficiency that would increase the risk.
We need more research to find out if eating less calcium or fewer dairy products could help prevent prostate cancer. But you need calcium – about 800mg a day – to keep your bones healthy. You can get 800mg of calcium by having a 200ml glass of milk, 30g of cheese and a small yogurt. For now, it is generally recommended to avoid consuming more calcium than the usual daily dose.
Selenium and vitamin E in excess
Watch out for excess selenium and vitamin E! Vitamin E and selenium have long been believed to have some protective effect against prostate cancer. It is likely that too much selenium and vitamin E if taken in excess can have adverse health effects if these dietary supplements are taken without a proven deficiency.
It is, therefore, better to include foods that contain them rather than consume them in the form of supplements. In fact, supplements have not been shown to help prevent prostate cancer. To learn more about foods containing selenium or vitamin E, click here.
Discover our new animated videos
Discover three new animated videos, each equally unique and original from one to the other. Be on the lookout!
Here is the first one – Symptoms, Risk and Screening
Take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease with our expert lectures, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Above all, do not hesitate. Contact us at 1 855 899-2873 to discuss with a nurse specializing in uro-oncology. It’s simple and free, like all our services.
Pages of our site that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.
Anti-cancer foods for men
Am I at risk
Signs and symptoms
PROCURE news that might interest you
Each week, we publish a blog article. Here are a few for you.
Meat, cooking and BBQ: what you need to know
5 facts to know about prostatitis
5 facts to know about large prostate (BPH)
Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2020
