In the United States prostate cancer is the most common male form of cancer with a significant number of clinical trials and studies have identified a link between dietary habits and prostate cancer.
The findings of many different clinical trials have suggested a role of cruciferous vegetables, lycopene, isoflavones, and green tea on slowing the progression of prostate cancer.
A study just published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research reported on a study that evaluated the role of fruits and vegetables on prostate cancer progression.
In addition to prostate cancer, polyphenols have been reported to be helpful in patients with heart disease. A 25 year study found epicatechin, a polyphenol found in many different plants, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
When we think of fruits and vegetables it is important to understand the bright colors are from different phytochemicals found in each. The red, blue and purples are often from anthocyanins which can be found in blueberries.
Yellow and orange is from carotenoids including beta-carotene, lutein, and astaxatnhin.
It is these colors we often give a generic label of ‘antioxidant’. However, it is important to note that each of these antioxidants have a different chemical structure. For example, there are more than 600 carotenoids, more than 400 different anthocyanins, and more than 5,000 different flavonoids.
Here are the study details:
- Study Design: retrospective cohort in men diagnosed with prostate cancer
- Patients: 777 men participated in the study
- Length of study: Patients were followed on average for 12.7 years. The range was from 9.0 to 14.7 years.
Here are the results of fruits and vegetables on prostate cancer progression:
- Patients consuming >146 grams per day had a overall higher survival rate than those <146 years.
- 15 year survival rate was 71% in those > 146 grams of fruits and vegetables
- 15 year survival rate was 58% in those eating <146 grams of fruit and vegetables
The results of this study led the authors to say the following:
The results of the present study support a beneficial effect of high consumption of fruit and vegetables in reducing the risk of death of patients with PCa.
Take away message:
The findings of this study suggest fruits and vegetables will have a positive impact on prostate cancer progression and survival. Fruits and vegetables provide a variety of polyphenols which are responsible for providing the different colors. The bright yellow attributed to a squash is from carotenoids such as beta carotene, along with many other carotenoids. Pomegranate is dark red, blue and purple from the anthocyanins. Tomatoes are red from carotenoids including lycopene. The list of different polyphenols is easily in the thousands. The next time you sit down to plan your menu or order a meal make sure it has plenty of color in it!
Reference: Fruit and vegetables consumption is directly associated to survival after prostate cancer. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2017 Apr; Volume 61 (Issue 4).
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Plant Medicine
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