Reducing Prostate Cancer Risk Through Diet

Getting enough vitamins and minerals with a healthy, balanced diet may be one of the keys to warding off prostate cancer.

And using nutrition to your advantage may prove very useful when fighting prostate cancer too. Diet can be a powerful tool, according to Roberta Anding, a registered dietitian, instructor at the Baylor College of Medicine, and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

So whether your goal is to rid your body of prostate cancer already diagnosed, or to prevent yourself or your loved one from ever getting that diagnosis, some specific foods that are known to protect the body from cancer-causing carcinogens include:

  Tomatoes. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, which could have a protective effect against prostate, lung, and stomach cancers. Multiple studies suggest that high levels of lycopene in the blood are linked with a lower risk of prostate cancer and may even help slow the spread of cancerous cells. Lycopene is most effective if taken in natural form - that is, in food rather than in a supplement - and is particularly potent in cooked tomatoes. You can add tomatoes or tomato products to many dishes.

  Fruits. Diets high in fruits and vegetables have been shown to protect against many cancers. Lycopene-containing fruits including guava, papaya, and watermelon may be especially good for you. And some research suggests that pectin - a common fiber found in apples, apricots, plums, and citrus fruits and used as a thickener in many jams and marmalades - may reduce the number of cancerous cells by as much as 40 percent. Try to work fruit into your daily meals: Have an orange for an afternoon snack, or top off your morning oatmeal with chopped apples.

  Vegetables. A high-fiber diet rich in vegetables might be why Asian men develop prostate cancer so infrequently compared to Western men, a new study from the University of Colorado finds. Plus, fiber-rich eating could slow the progression of the disease, researchers say. Other studies have found broccoli and cauliflower to be especially effective in reducing cancer risk because cruciferous veggies slow the growth of cancer cells in the body. Add veggies to your favorite dishes or casseroles - or make a big, colorful salad.

  Green tea and soy. Although the benefits of these foods in fighting prostate cancer have so far been seen only in laboratory environments, researchers believe they show promise. Try sipping on soothing green tea - or add soy milk to your morning cup of coffee.

  Fish. Fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids (salmon is one example) may help reduce prostate cancer risk. Try to work fatty fish into your menu a few times a week.

“The bottom line on prevention is a plant-based diet with nuts and soy,” recommends Anding.