Overview
Diet has long been thought to be associated with the development of prostate cancer that is common in Western countries and rare in Japan and Asia. In a study published in October 2004 by the Urological Sciences Research Foundation found that when Japanese men migrate to the United States and adopt a Western lifestyle, the protection begins to disappear within one generation. The researchers suggested that the western diet containing high animal saturated fats and low soy content may be the contributors to the higher incidences of prostate cancer.
Diet has long been thought to be associated with the development of prostate cancer that is common in Western countries and rare in Japan and Asia. In a study published in October 2004 by the Urological Sciences Research Foundation found that when Japanese men migrate to the United States and adopt a Western lifestyle, the protection begins to disappear within one generation. The researchers suggested that the western diet containing high animal saturated fats and low soy content may be the contributors to the higher incidences of prostate cancer.
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SOY
Soy and Prostate Cancer: decades of promising data
Many people often associate the benefits of soy with breast cancer. Indeed, data on soy and prostate cancer has been most promising; many studies support the role of soy in the prevention and possible treatment of prostate cancer. During the late 80s, researchers found that Japanese men in Hawaii who ate tofu at least 5 times per week had 65% less chance of developing prostate cancer than those who ate tofu only once a week or less.In 1998, researchers found that men who drank soy milk at least once a day had a 70% less chance of developing prostate cancer than those who never drank soy milk at all. Soy has also been found to be potentially beneficial in treating prostate cancer and slowing its progression in many animal and in vitro studies. Lately, more human studies point to similar results. In a small study published in Urology in September 2004, Australian researchers found that men consuming a soy-enriched diet had a statistically significant drop of 12.7% in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, compared to the control group whose PSA levels rose 40%.
TOMATO
Lycopene in Tomatoes and Prostate Cancer
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is found abundant in tomatoes and tomato products. Studies found that lycopene may help reduce some cancer and heart disease. The most compelling evidence so far is the role of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention. In a study of over 40,000 health professionals, Harvard investigators found that men who ate more than 10 servings tomato-based foods daily (like cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce,) had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount of these foods. The benefits of lycopene were more pronounced with advanced stages of prostate cancer.
In another study of prostate cancer, researchers looked at blood levels of lycopene and found that the risk of developing prostate cancer, especially aggressive cancer, decreased with increasing blood lycopene levels. Men taking 50mg of lycopene daily had significantly higher level of lycopene. In this study, researchers found that high level of lycopene in the blood was associated with low PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels. High PSA levels in blood are often a sign of prostate cancer.
Enjoy the benefits of lycopene by eating more tomatoes and processed tomato products. Indeed, research showed that lycopene is better absorbed by the body when tomatoes are processed. It is due to the fact that lycopene is bound to tomato's cell structure; processing releases lycopene from the cell structure.
MINERALS
Selenium and Prostate Cancer
Because it boosts the body's antioxidant capacity, selenium is thought to have some ability to control cell damage that may lead to cancer. Selenium may even act in other ways to stop early cancer cells in their development. A recent study also suggested that selenium may enhance immune function, at least in those healthy adults with relatively low blood selenium. So far based on the evidence of animal and epidemiological studies, the role of selenium and cancer is probably the most significant for prostate cancer.
Selenium and Prostate Cancer
Quite a few promising studies published in 2004 showed the potential benefits of selenium in prevention of prostate cancer. One particular epidemiological study published in May 2004 in the Journal of National Cancer Institute revealed that men with high blood levels of selenium were about half as likely to develop advanced prostate cancer as the men with lower blood selenium. This study had a good sample size (>1000 healthy male) and a long study period of over 13 years. The duration is significant because prostate cancer is a slow growing disease.
A well designed randomized double-blind controlled study would be able to determine selenium's benefits. Currently the SELECT trial (the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) is in progress. This study hopes to enroll 32,000 men aged 55 or older and will be follow them for 12 years.
Selenium and other cancers
Several other studies recently suggested that lower blood selenium may be associated with increased risk of colon cancer. Another study published in August 2004 also revealed that selenium may prevent gastric cancer, especially in men.
COQ10
Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for Cancer Treatment
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been quite popular in the past years. Possible benefits of CoQ10 supplements include the prevention and treatment of cancer and heart disease. CoQ10 supplements are usually available in either powder capsules or oil-based softgel capsules.
What is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 is considered a non-essential nutrient as it can be synthesized by our bodies. It is used by our bodies to produce energy. It also acts as an antioxidant protecting us from free radical damage. Its antioxidant effects are similar to those of vitamin E. Some studies also suggested that Coenzyme Q10 stimulates the immune system.
Possible Benefits of CoQ10 in Cancer Treatment
Two studies showed that cancer patients have lower levels of Coenzyme Q10. In addition, a small human trial in Denmark involving 32 breast cancer patients investigated the efficacy of CoQ10 as an adjunct therapy (adjunct = supplements + conventional cancer treatment). The results showed that all patients in the trial reported that they used fewer painkillers and did not lose weight during cancer treatment. In addition, 6 patients showed signs of remission i.e. tumor regression. Please note that this Denmark trial was, however, not well-designed. It was not a double-blinded study and neither control or placebo group was included. Therefore, it is rather difficult to draw a definite conclusion from this trial on the benefits of CoQ10 in cancer treatment.
Furthermore, some anecdotal reports also recorded that adjunctive CoQ10 supplementation has increased the survival of patients with cancers of the pancreas, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate cancer.
TOMATO
Lycopene in Tomatoes and Prostate Cancer
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is found abundant in tomatoes and tomato products. Studies found that lycopene may help reduce some cancer and heart disease. The most compelling evidence so far is the role of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention. In a study of over 40,000 health professionals, Harvard investigators found that men who ate more than 10 servings tomato-based foods daily (like cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce,) had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount of these foods. The benefits of lycopene were more pronounced with advanced stages of prostate cancer.In another study of prostate cancer, researchers looked at blood levels of lycopene and found that the risk of developing prostate cancer, especially aggressive cancer, decreased with increasing blood lycopene levels. Men taking 50mg of lycopene daily had significantly higher level of lycopene. In this study, researchers found that high level of lycopene in the blood was associated with low PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels. High PSA levels in blood are often a sign of prostate cancer.
Enjoy the benefits of lycopene by eating more tomatoes and processed tomato products. Indeed, research showed that lycopene is better absorbed by the body when tomatoes are processed. It is due to the fact that lycopene is bound to tomato's cell structure; processing releases lycopene from the cell structure.
MINERALS
Selenium and Prostate Cancer
Because it boosts the body's antioxidant capacity, selenium is thought to have some ability to control cell damage that may lead to cancer. Selenium may even act in other ways to stop early cancer cells in their development. A recent study also suggested that selenium may enhance immune function, at least in those healthy adults with relatively low blood selenium. So far based on the evidence of animal and epidemiological studies, the role of selenium and cancer is probably the most significant for prostate cancer.
Selenium and Prostate Cancer
Quite a few promising studies published in 2004 showed the potential benefits of selenium in prevention of prostate cancer. One particular epidemiological study published in May 2004 in the Journal of National Cancer Institute revealed that men with high blood levels of selenium were about half as likely to develop advanced prostate cancer as the men with lower blood selenium. This study had a good sample size (>1000 healthy male) and a long study period of over 13 years. The duration is significant because prostate cancer is a slow growing disease.
A well designed randomized double-blind controlled study would be able to determine selenium's benefits. Currently the SELECT trial (the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) is in progress. This study hopes to enroll 32,000 men aged 55 or older and will be follow them for 12 years.
Selenium and other cancers
Several other studies recently suggested that lower blood selenium may be associated with increased risk of colon cancer. Another study published in August 2004 also revealed that selenium may prevent gastric cancer, especially in men.
COQ10
Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for Cancer Treatment
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been quite popular in the past years. Possible benefits of CoQ10 supplements include the prevention and treatment of cancer and heart disease. CoQ10 supplements are usually available in either powder capsules or oil-based softgel capsules.
What is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 is considered a non-essential nutrient as it can be synthesized by our bodies. It is used by our bodies to produce energy. It also acts as an antioxidant protecting us from free radical damage. Its antioxidant effects are similar to those of vitamin E. Some studies also suggested that Coenzyme Q10 stimulates the immune system.
Possible Benefits of CoQ10 in Cancer Treatment
Two studies showed that cancer patients have lower levels of Coenzyme Q10. In addition, a small human trial in Denmark involving 32 breast cancer patients investigated the efficacy of CoQ10 as an adjunct therapy (adjunct = supplements + conventional cancer treatment). The results showed that all patients in the trial reported that they used fewer painkillers and did not lose weight during cancer treatment. In addition, 6 patients showed signs of remission i.e. tumor regression. Please note that this Denmark trial was, however, not well-designed. It was not a double-blinded study and neither control or placebo group was included. Therefore, it is rather difficult to draw a definite conclusion from this trial on the benefits of CoQ10 in cancer treatment.
Furthermore, some anecdotal reports also recorded that adjunctive CoQ10 supplementation has increased the survival of patients with cancers of the pancreas, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate cancer.
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