Prostate cancer is a common disorder in the United States. Approximately one out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, and about 18 percent of those men will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Preventing and treating prostate cancer with dietary changes may be a wise choice. More and more information is being uncovered regarding the link between a healthy diet and the reduction of cancer risk. Any changes in your health care regimen should be discussed with your primary health provider.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are widely known as a healthy addition to your diet. These polyunsaturated fats provide a wide range of health benefits including possibly preventing cancer by decreasing inflammation in the body associated with the disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish such as herring, salmon, tuna and mackerel, according to the website Mayo Clinic.
Soy Foods
Soy is a source of plant-based estrogens that mimic the female hormone estrogen in the body. Eating soy products may improve your hormone balance in the body, which may help prevent prostate cancer. Soy foods are prevalent in Asia where prostate cancer rates are low, and these facts may be related, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Vegetable-Based Diet
Men with early stage prostate cancer may reverse their condition if they change their dietary choices to vegetables, fruits, whole grains and soy-based proteins, according to a 2005 study published in "Journal of Urology," led by Dean Ornish, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco. The participants also exercised and participated in counseling. Researchers evaluated the patients' progress after one year, and those who changed their diet and lifestyle habits had decreased levels of proteins that measure prostate cancer, compared with the placebo group.
Broccoli and Tomatoes
Consuming the combination of broccoli and tomatoes may shrink prostate tumors, according to a 2007 study published in "Cancer Research." The University of Illinois study led by human nutrition professor, John Erdman, found that daily consumption of the two vegetables was more effective than either vegetable alone of improving prostate cancer. The study's researchers concluded that men should consume about 1.5 cups of raw broccoli and 2.5 cups of fresh tomato daily to benefit from the vegetables' anti-cancer effects.
