New research shows that men who stick to a predominantly Mediterranean diet are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This diet also improves their chances of recovery if they have PC and are undergoing radiation treatment.
According to two studies published in the journal Cancers, University of South Australia scientists have found that men who regularly consume colourful fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. This research also suggests that a Mediterranean or Asian diet that includes foods rich in lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and selenium can help prevent prostate cancer and aid in the recovery of men undergoing radiation treatment for the disease.
The studies found that prostate cancer patients had low levels of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and selenium in their plasma and high levels of iron, sulfur, and calcium, relative to healthy controls. Men with low levels of lycopene and selenium in their blood plasma have an increased risk of prostate cancer and may be more sensitive to the damaging effects of radiation.
Foods that are rich in lycopene include tomatoes, melons, papayas, grapes, peaches, watermelons, and cranberries, while selenium-rich foods include white meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, and nuts.
The study’s co-author, Dr Permal Deo, suggests that adopting a Mediterranean diet is preferable, and consulting a dietician can help absorb nutrients in different ways, depending on the food, the digestive system, the person’s genotype, and possibly their microbiome.