The Mediterranean Diet And Prostate Cancer
Eating right and getting the adequate amount of nutrition is important especially when you’re being treated for prostate cancer. While nutrition does play a role in the development of prostate cancer, no specific diet can completely prevent or eradicate this disease. Prostate cancer, as with other cancers, is an extremely complex disease. No single factor can explain the various facets of this disease. However past research has shown the benefits of a Mediterranean Diet in regards to prostate cancer and the other host of health benefits it can offer.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet is rich in vegetables, fruit, peas and beans (legumes) and grains. It also contains moderate amounts of chicken and fish. There is little red meat and most fat is unsaturated and comes from olive oil and nuts. Having a small amount of red wine has been shown to increase the health benefits. In combination with moderate exercise and not smoking, the Mediterranean Diet offers a scientifically researched, affordable, balanced, and health-promoting lifestyle choice.
Prostate Cancer and the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet benefits of fighting prostate cancer have been demonstrated in numerous studies. Swapping out unhealthy fats like butter and meat for heart-healthy choices like olive oil, nuts, avocado, and fatty fish that have omega-3 fatty acids can make a significant difference in fighting prostate cancer. A study conducted by researchers with University of California, San Francisco and published in JAMA found evidence of the risk of prostate cancer being reduced by the diet.
Researchers found the fat intake of 4,577 men with prostate cancer whom they followed from 1986 to 2010 showed that men who replaced as little as 10 percent of their daily carbohydrates and animal fats with healthy vegetable fats benefited from a 29 percent lower prostate cancer mortality risk than those that didn’t change their diets. Their research showed the connection between the type of fat you eat and your risk of prostate cancer spreading.
What is a Mediterranean Diet consisted of?
In relation to a typical Western diet, a Mediterranean Diet is consisted of:
- High quantities of: a variety of different vegetables, fruits, legumes (eg, beans), cereals and cereal products.
- Moderate quantities of: fish, white meats, nuts, low-fat dairy produce, wine (men: 1-3 units per day, women: 1-2 units per day) with meals.
- Low quantities of: red meat, eggs, sweets and sweet desserts.
- A high mono-unsaturated fat (eg, olive oil) to saturated animal fat (eg, fatty red meat) ratio – at least 2:1.
- Low amounts of added salt
The Mediterranean Diet is a pattern of food proportions, rather than a set list of particular products, ‘superfoods’ or recipes. You don’t necessarily have to master Greek or Italian cooking. Simply use the ingredients in any combination that you wish. The Mediterranean diet allows for plenty of variety and experimentation.
Final Thoughts
Years of research have shown that the Mediterranean Diet is one of the healthiest around. If you’re looking for a long-term lifestyle change, this can be a realistic way towards achieving that goal. You can be creative, approach your food in a new way, and enjoy the foods you like in moderation, and in combination with regular physical activity, is the best prescription for a long and healthy life.
