Data Suggests a Diet High in Vegetable Intake Can Reduce Risk of Prostate Cancer

	Tweet

In the online edition of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, Ruth Chan and collaborators provided a review on prostate cancer (CaP) and vegetable consumption. There is data that suggests a diet high in vegetable intake can reduce the risk of CaP. The primary mechanism of this protective vegetable effect is antioxidant protection against DNA and cell damage.

Available literature was identified for this review. Of the available studies, 29 were cohort studies, 69 case-control studies, and 4 randomized clinical trials. Highlights of this extensive review are presented herein. Tomatoes and their byproducts contain the carotenoid antioxidant lycopene. Two cohort studies reported tomatoes decreased CaP risk and 3 cohort studies reported a non-significant association. For case-control studies, 2 showed significant decreased risk and 5 showed a non-significant association.

One study suggested that the potential benefit was greater in advanced as compared to localized CaP. Overall, studies for tomatoes and lycopenes show inconsistent results on decreasing CaP risk, but lycopene based foods are probably protective.

Yellow orange vegetables contain the antioxidant β-carotene. Data on β-carotene and CaP risk from cohort and case-control studies were inconclusive for a protective effect. Supplemental use of β-carotene was not shown to be protective. Flavonoids are a carbon structure compound ubiquitously present in plant foods and have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. They may suppress angiogenesis, induction of apoptosis and down-regulation of hormone receptors expression. Overall there is some evidence suggesting that consumption of legumes, including soy and soy products, is protective against CaP.

Regarding vitamins, vitamin C has had limited study, but with the data available there is no evidence of a protective effect. Vitamin E is a naturally occurring fat-soluble vitamin found predominantly in plant foods and some animal foods. In a supplementation trial, there was suggestion that vitamin E was of benefit, but all the participants were smokers. Two other publications failed to show a benefit, and a preliminary report from the selenium and vitamin E trial does not suggest a benefit.

As for allium vegetables which include garlic, onions, leeks, chives, scallions and shallots, while in vitro data suggest a protective benefit, population based studies are limited and a protective effect remains to be determined. Finally, cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, collard greens and kale. These are rich in sulforaphane and indole-3 carbinol, which have anticarcinogenic properties. To date, population-based studies are limited and a positive protective benefit remains to be determined.

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Dec 8;53(2):201-216

Source: UroToday

RELATED STORIES:
Few Side Effects from Radiation Treatment Given After Prostate Cancer Surgery   Fatherhood linked to prostate cancer risk   Prostate cancer risk increased in obese men: study   Immunologic tests detect hidden prostate cancer   Alternative therapy common in prostate cancer   Acrylamide in food not linked to prostate cancer   Lean body mass may protect against prostate cancer   Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Hormone Therapy May Experience Cognitive Effects   Prostate cancer vaccines more effective with hormone therapy   Calcium consumption may cause prostate cancer in Chinese   Novel drug selectively kills prostate cancer cells   A new ground zero for prostate cancer   Ack1 molecule stimulates the aggressive growth of prostate cancer   Gene test could save men from prostate surgery   Many prostate cancers don’t need radical therapy   Change in PSA level does not predict prostate cancer   Vaccine Injection Targeted in Building a Better ‘Bull’s-Eye’ to Fight Prostate Cancer   Prostate Cancer Translational Research in Europe meeting: Search for biomarkers continues   Biomarkers Help Predict Prostate Cancer Progression   Possible link found between x-rays and prostate cancer   Researchers Studying Novel Therapy For Prostate Cancer   Researchers Uncover How Prostate Cancer Cells Defy Death

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]