Treating Advanced Prostate Cancer With Diet
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Dr. Dean Ornish showed that a plant-based diet and lifestyle program could apparently reverse the progression of prostate cancer for early stage, localized, watch-and-wait cancer. What about for more advanced stage life-threatening disease?
Dr. Dean Ornish showed that a plant-based diet and lifestyle program could apparently reverse the progression of prostate cancer by making mens bloodstreams nearly eight times better at suppressing cancer cell growth. But this was for early-stage, localized, watch-and-wait prostate cancer.
What about for more advanced-stage, life-threatening disease? There have been sporadic case reports in the literature suggesting benefit. For example, a man with extensive metastatic disease who had been given about three years to live went on a strict plant-based diet. Four years later, it appeared the cancer had disappeared. After six years, he got a little too comfortable, backslid a bit on the diet and began eating turkey, tuna fish, and chicken, then the cancer came raging back and he died. But that could have been a total coincidence. Thats the problem with case reports, which are kind of glorified anecdotes. You have no idea how representative the outcome is unless its studied formally. But, throughout the 20th century, all we had were these kinds of case reports for more advanced prostate cancer until 2001.
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Do Vegetarian Diets Reduce The Risk Of Cancer Coming Back
No strong evidence has shown that vegetarian diets help reduce the risk of cancer coming back when compared to a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and contains small amounts of meat and fish. But vegetarian diets can be good for you because they tend to be low in saturated fat and high in fiber, vitamins, and phytochemicals.
The American Cancer Society Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention defines a healthy, cancer-preventive diet as one that is diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains and limits or does not include red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, highly processed foods, and refined grain products. Several eating patterns can meet this definition, including the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and vegetarian diets.
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You add the alternative treatments I have used/use then I feel these are the things needed in order to manage prostate problems. This total program may not help all men but I feel it will help most men. It takes determination,dedication,& discipline to follow this program. Im not making any shortcuts or trying butter things here either. Prostate Cancer Survivors
If you want your health back & keep that health then youd better get ready for that drive. It takes years for our prostate to get in bad health & sometimes it takes a long time to get it back. If you make that determination & drive yourself to get better then it can happen. Its not going to happen overnight for sure. I suffered off & on for 18 months but now for the past 6 months or so I can honestly say I have no symptoms for prostate problems. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2610529
While these Non Objective treatments have had varying levels of success, Washington University scientists who have spent over 15 years studying volumes of clinical research discovered a solution that FORCES your enlarged prostate to go back to a healthy size.
All without resorting to prescription drugs, risky surgeries, or continuous injectionsProstate Cancer Survivors
And the solution is surprisingly simple we can protect ourselves without risky medication:
Do This and automatically reduce prostate inflammation Like 12k People Did.
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Include Fiber In Your Diet
Fiber is an important part of your diet because it:
- Helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.
- Provides a feeling of fullness.
- Helps with weight loss.
- Can lower the risk for diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Plant foods are the best sources of fiber. In addition to fruits and vegetables, eating a variety of whole grains, cereals, legumes , nuts, and seeds can provide the fiber you need.
Read your food labels carefully to find out if the foods you choose have whole grains. Food labels must have the word whole right before the name of the grain. For example, when choosing a wheat bread or pasta, the label must read whole wheat, not enriched wheat flour.
Here are some tips to get more fiber and whole grains in your diet:
- Eat foods such as whole-wheat bread, brown rice, barley, whole oats, oatmeal, bran cereals, and popcorn.
- Try pancakes, muffins, or bread mixes made with whole-wheat or buckwheat flour.
- Choose a whole grain like barley and add a small amount of dried fruit or toasted nuts.
- Add beans to rice, pasta, salad, and soups.
- Choose fresh fruits and vegetables instead of juices.
Slowly increase how much fiber you eat and drink at least 8 glasses of liquids each day.
For more information on how to include fiber in your diet, read Food Sources of Fiber.
Prostate Cancer And Diet Summary
Although diet and nutrition appear to play a role in the development of prostate cancer, no specific diet has been shown to prevent or alter the growth of an existing cancer. Most recommendations for a prostate healthy diet, however, are very similar to a heart healthy diet and would be beneficial to most men. Although there are many supplements that are pharmacologically or synthetically produced containing the above mentioned micronutrients, consumption in their naturally occurring state in food is likely to be of greatest benefit. You should discuss your diet and any supplements you are taking with your doctors before, during and after any treatment for your prostate cancer.
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Whats A Prostate Cancer Diet
The truth is, theres no specific diet that will help you prevent or treat prostate cancer, but there are some general guidelines, according to sources like this PDF from the University of California at San Francisco . Good nutrition may be associated with a lower risk of developing cancer, along with reduced risk of the disease progressing after a diagnosis.
However, the research is still out on whether your diet can really impact prostate cancer risk and prognosis. Steven Canfield, MD, the chief of urology for McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston , says that while there have been a lot of studies looking at specific diets for prostate cancer, they havent been very revealing. Unfortunately, he says, none of them have really panned out to show any significant prevention.
But he adds an exception: It does seem to be that whats good for your heart is good for your prostate.
The UCSF cancer center developed diet guidelines for prostate cancer that recommend plentiful intake of a wide variety of vegetables and whole grains, healthy sources of protein , and healthy fats .
If these diet recommendations sound a lot like the Mediterranean diet, your instincts are right: Theres evidence that this food plan helps lower risk of death from prostate cancer.
> > > One Crazy Prostate Trick All Men Over 40 Should Try
I have always been an active person all my life. I grew up playing various sports & was active all the time. I played some type of sport almost every day. If I wasnt playing one of the major sports I was either hunting or fishing.
However, after our son was born in 2001 those things changed. I basically quit playing sports & all other activities. My life had changed & it seemed like I didnt have time for any sports or regular exercise. I found out that was a big mistake in my life. You can make time for things that make you more healthy.
I also was the type that didnt seem to watch what I ate. If I was at home Id eat too much junk food. If I was out on the road Id eat too much fast food. I really wasnt eating healthy at all but didnt realize it because I didnt have any health problems. Prostate Cancer Survivors
I never have been a soda person but did drink Sprite at times. I only drank one cup of coffee in the mornings. I was the type that always thought I needed a meat with every meal. I ate meat with breakfast,lunch,& supper. If I didnt get meat then I wouldnt get full, right? Well, thats not the case & this is far from the truth about eating healthy.
You dont need to eat meats with every meal. As a matter of fact, meat isnt even needed to live. You know about the vegetarians out there in the world, right? Im not saying you need to be a vegetarian but certain meats need to be cut down or out of your diet. I will explain further later in this article.
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Enlarged Prostate Or Prostate Cancer
The prostate can grow larger as men age, sometimes pressing on the bladder or urethra and causing symptoms similar to prostate cancer. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia . It’s not cancer and can be treated if symptoms become bothersome. A third problem that can cause urinary symptoms is prostatitis. This inflammation or infection may also cause a fever and in many cases is treated with medication.
Monitor The Fat In Your Diet
Some fat in our diets is necessary and healthy. There are different types of fat. Some are healthier than others.
Fat is calorie-dense. One gram of fat has more than 9 calories, while 1 gram of a carbohydrate or a protein has 4 calories. Therefore, high-fat foods have a lot of calories in a small amount of food. If youre trying to lose weight or maintain weight loss, this is important.
For some medical conditions, limiting fat may be helpful. However, for most people, there is no need to avoid fat. What is important is to avoid eating too many calories and to choose healthier types of fats.
Your fat intake should be about 20% to 35% of your calories. This is about 40 to 70 grams of fat per day for a 1,800 calorie diet.
The type of fat you eat can be as important as the amount.
Types of cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance. Its found only in foods that come from an animal source, such as meat, eggs, and dairy. Cholesterol travels in the blood in packages called lipoproteins. There are 2 types of lipoproteins: good and bad.
- Low-density lipoprotein is bad cholesterol. It can clog your arteries and cause heart disease.
- High-density lipoprotein is good cholesterol. It takes cholesterol out of your body.
Types of fats
Limiting the amount of saturated fat you eat can keep your heart healthy and make it easier to maintain your weight. Choose mostly monounsaturated fats. These fats are described below.
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Screening: Dre And Psa
Your doctor may initially do a digital rectal exam to feel for bumps or hard spots on the prostate. After a discussion with your doctor, a blood test can be used to measure prostate-specific antigen , a protein produced by prostate cells. An elevated level may indicate a higher chance that you have cancer, but you can have a high level and still be cancer-free. It is also possible to have a normal PSA and have prostate cancer.
Research On The Relationship Between Diet And Prostate Cancer
There are a few studies that have looked at this potential link. These studies have found that what a person eats does seem to impact their likeliness to develop cancer. One study, in particular, considered the effect of diet on IGF-I levels in the human body. The study only lasted for 11 days but offered valuable insight.
The participants in the study were introduced to the Pritikin diet. This diet focuses on whole grains, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Fat content in the diet is much lower than some of the other diets that people tend to follow. All participants in the study were men.
IGF-I was tested before and after the study. A significant reduction in IGF-I was found after the male participants followed this diet for just 11 days.
IGF-I is a factor that is related to the risk of cancer in the body. There is a relation between IGF-I and prostate cancer too.
Current evidence suggests that a special diet may be able to:
- Reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men
- Reduce the likeliness of prostate cancer progressing
- Improve the outcome of a prostate cancer treatment plan
With these factors in mind, men should learn about the foods that promote prostate health while also fighting against cancer. Additionally, a man needs to understand what foods in their diet contribute to a higher likeliness of this disease.
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What’s The Best Diet For Prostate Cancer
The importance of maintaining a nutrient-rich diet for overall health is well established, but did you know that eating certain foods can significantly impact prostate health? Some research indicates that a vegetable-rich diet may decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer in the future, help improve the outlook for men living with this disease and reduce the chances of cancer recurrence.
Bowel Problems After Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy to the prostate can change the way your bowel works. Bowel motions may be more frequent and loose. Changing what you eat can help with this.
Radiotherapy can also affect tissue and other organs in the pelvic area. Speak to your doctor if you:
- need to poo at night
- need to rush to the loo to have a bowel movement, or you dont make it in time
- have bleeding from your back passage
- have other bowel symptoms that interfere with you living an active full life
You may not be able to follow a healthy balanced diet completely if you have these problems.
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Should I Use Supplements Or Herbal Remedies
Some people like to use dietary supplements or herbal remedies, but theres little evidence theyre helpful for men with prostate cancer. Some may even be harmful.
Dietary supplements
Theres little evidence that supplements are helpful for men with prostate cancer. Some supplements may interfere with your treatment for prostate cancer, so let your doctor or nurse know if youre taking any.
Most people should be able to get all the nutrients they need by eating a balanced diet, without taking supplements. If you do choose to take supplements, dont take more than the recommended daily allowance for each nutrient because large doses could be bad for your health.
Some men may need to take specific supplements. For example,
- Vitamin D. Between October and March, try to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D supplements every day. This is because during these months, there is not enough sunlight in the UK for your body to produce enough vitamin D.
- Calcium. If youre on hormone therapy, your doctor might recommend calcium supplements.
Herbal remedies
Some men like to take herbal medicines to help manage their prostate cancer or the side effects of treatment. For example, some men drink sage tea to help with hot flushes. But there is very little evidence that herbal remedies can help to treat prostate cancer or reduce side effects.
Herbal supplements being tested
Diet And Prostate Cancer
After treatment, its important to maintain a healthy diet. While theres no specific prostate cancer diet, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight will help you cope with side effects and lower your risk of developing other health conditions. Healthy eating may even reduce the risk of recurrence.
In general, you can follow the same guidelines on foods for prostate health that are recommended for prostate cancer prevention.
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Second Cancers After Prostate Cancer
Its normal to be concerned about getting cancer again. While screening for prostate cancer recurrence is an important part of survivorship, keep in mind that you could develop another type of cancer. In fact, once youre had prostate cancer, your risk of developing certain cancers may even be elevated.
According to the American Cancer Society, men who have had prostate cancer may be more likely to develop bladder cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, small intestine cancer, thyroid cancer, thymus cancer and melanoma. Additionally, radiation therapy itself may increase your risk of developing rectal cancer and acute myeloid leukemia .
Its important to continue regular checkups after cancer treatment and report any new symptoms to your doctor. Take steps to lower your cancer risk and improve your overall health by focusing on a low-fat, plant-heavy diet. Maintain a healthy weight, get plenty of exercise, limit your alcohol consumption and avoid all tobacco products.
Risk Factors You Can’t Control
Growing older is the greatest risk factor for prostate cancer, particularly after age 50. After age 70, studies suggest that anywhere from 31% to 83% of men have some form of prostate cancer, though there may be no outward symptoms. Family history increases a man’s risk: having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles the risk. African-American men and Caribbean men of African descent are at high risk and have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.
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Diet And Exercise Recommendations
A good starting point if you are contemplating diet and exercise changes is the American Institute for Cancer Research recommendations. To prevent cancer and to improve long-term survival in cancer survivors, AICR advises people to: