Page 9 - Summer 2016

body. Abdominal fat in particular can increase what’s known as insulin resistance. The pancreas compensates by increasing insulin production, insulin being an anabolic hormone meaning it promotes cellular growth. Excess body fat can also influence male hormones and is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation which in turn can promote cancer development.
Risk factors that are non-controllable include your age, race, ethnicity and family history. Dietary intake, food choices, exercise and movement are components that are controllable. A plant-based diet is associated with a lower
risk of developing prostate cancer and exercise has been suggested as an agent to lower inflammation, affect energy metabolism, oxidative stress and hormone signaling pathways. Recommendations include the achievement and maintenance of a healthy body weight and at least 30-60 minutes of exercise a day.
Eating a well-balanced diet is an important part of improving your health and reducing your risk of cancer development and recurrence. There are certain foods that are associated with lowering prostate cancer risk, and these are the same for men who have already been diagnosed with this type of cancer.
Dietary guidelines:
• Choose foods and beverages in amounts that will help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Limit processed and red meat intake. Instead choice fish like salmon and tuna. Substitute meat with beans, enjoy meatless meals. No more than 2 eggs yolks a week, while no limit on egg whites.
• Limit saturated fat intake. This is found mostly in animal products and full fat dairy foods.
Instead choose olive oil and fats from nuts, seeds, olives and avocados. Avoid flax seed oil.
• Choose brightly colored vegetables and cover half of your plate. Eat whole fruits rather than juice. Produce to include on a regular basis
in your diet; Tomatoes (cooked if possible) Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, mustard greens, chard greens, Bok Choy and arugula
• Choose whole grains instead of processed white flour and reduce your sugar intake. No more than 9 added teaspoons of sugar a day.
• Skip the salt and season your meals with herbs and spices, including garlic, turmeric and ginger.
• Use dietary supplements to treat a nutrient deficiency or as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Exercise – adopt a physically active lifestyle – if you are unsure of what this means or if you are able, discuss with your doctor or healthcare provider.
Eating a well-balanced diet and exercising decreases risk factors for many other disease states and cancers and is something we should all be doing regardless of whether or not we have a prostate gland.
Ally F. Gottfried MFN, RD LD., Oncology Dietitian