Rainbow of fruit and veg the best prevention against prostate cancer

Men who eat colorful fruits and vegetables on a regular basis are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC), according to new research by University of South Australia scientists.

A rainbow of foods rich in certain micronutrients helps to prevent prostate cancer (PC) as well as speeding up recovery in men undergoing radiation treatment for the disease.

The findings, from two studies published in the journal Cancershighlight the importance of a Mediterranean or Asian diet that includes these foods.

The researchers compared the micronutrient plasma concentrations of prostate cancer patients with a healthy control group, showing low levels of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and selenium in PC patients and high levels of iron, sulfur, and calcium in both groups, relative to controls. .

Increased DNA damage after radiation exposure is also associated with low lycopene and selenium in the blood plasma.

Men with plasma concentrations of less than 0.25 micrograms (ug) per milliliter (mL) for lycopene and/or less than 120ug/L for selenium have an increased risk of prostate cancer and are likely to be more sensitive to the harmful effects of radiation.

Foods rich in lycopene include tomatoes, melons, papayas, grapes, peaches, watermelon, and cranberries. Foods rich in selenium include white meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, and nuts.

Study co-author Dr. Permal Deo that eating foods naturally rich in lycopene and selenium is better than taking supplements, where the benefits are limited, according to previous studies.

“Our recommendation is to adopt a Mediterranean diet seeking the help of a dietician because people absorb nutrients in different ways, depending on the food, the digestive system, the person’s genotype and possibly their microbiome,” said Dr. Deo.

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers in men, but the nutritional deficiencies associated with it remains largely unknown, hence this study.

Others risk factorssuch as ethnicity, family history and age have previously been linked to prostate cancer.

“There is strong evidence that being overweight and tall increases the risk of prostate cancer. Diets high in dairy products and low vitamin E may also increase the risk but the evidence is less clear.”

Vitamin E is found in plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

The research is the first to examine plasma concentrations of micronutrients and trace elements with respect to prostate cancer in a South Australian population.