Benefits Of Fish For The Prostate

Fish contains many health promoting nutrients in its flesh, organs, skin and bones. Fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring and salmon, contains more oil per gram than leaner varieties. Fish oil is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, and should be of interest to men with prostate problems. Fish is also a rich source of vitamins B6 and D, both of which contribute to prostate health.

Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland has gained more attention in recent years, in part because prostate cancer has become the second most common cancer experienced by American males, as cited by the National Cancer Institute. A growing number of studies have indicated that consumption of fish oil may protect against prostate cancer and actually be able to fight cancer cells in those men already diagnosed with prostate cancer.

According to a 2009 study published in "Clinical Cancer Research," fish oil consumption by men may reduce their risk of developing an aggressive, genetically-linked type of prostate cancer. Researchers noted that the men who consumed the most fish oil had a 63 percent reduced risk of developing the cancer.

Fish oil consumption may help men already diagnosed with prostate cancer. According to a 2001 UCLA study published in "Urology," researchers found a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids was associated with beneficial changes in prostate biopsies from men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Fatty fish, especially cod liver oil, is also rich in vitamin D, which has anti-cancer properties. A 2003 article in "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism" stated that vitamin D increases synthesis of calcitriol in the prostate gland and might reduce the risk and inhibit metastatic spread of prostate cancer.

Reduced Risk of Prostate Infection

Omega-3 fatty acid exhibits strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the prostate gland from infection and inflammation. Vitamin D is capable of enhancing the immune system by activating killer T-cells, which are white blood cells able to kill bacteria and viruses that can infect the prostate, as cited in "Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health." Fish oil also reduces blood levels of C-reactive protein, which is a marker for inflammation in the body, including the prostate gland.

Reduced Risk of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

The flesh and oils of fish are also rich in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is able to decrease blood levels of the hormone, prolactin, within men. Prolactin is one of only a few hormones that directly contribute to the formation of dyhydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is a steroidal hormone that has been linked to the progression of benign prostatic hypertrophy, which affects as many as 50 percent of American men older than 40 years of age. DHT chemically stimulates the division of prostate cells, which increase in number and slowly enlarge the prostate gland with time.