Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
For many decades, we’ve known that lifestyle and eating habits can affect your risk of developing cancer. A good diet and exercise decrease the risk and a poor diet and obesity increase the risk. So, what about breast cancer? There’s a lot of data showing that what you eat can affect the risk.
About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, according to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. You’ll want to speak with your doctor about these specific nutrients if you are having prostate concerns.
Scientists have linked sugar with a wide range of health risks, including weight gain, an increase in the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes, acne, depression and even cellular aging. Now, researchers are examining the link between sugary drinks and the risk of developing cancer.
A French observational study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in July 2019, provides evidence of a link between the high intake of sugary drinks and cancer. Researchers examined 101,257 French adults aged 42 years, on average.
The drinks they examined included “sugar-sweetened beverages” like soft drinks, syrups, fruit drinks, 100% fruit juices without added sugar, milk-based sugary drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks. Using 24-hour online food questionnaires, the researchers assessed the participants’ consumption of 3,300 different kinds of foods and drinks. Clinical observation of the participants continued for up to 9 years, where researchers studied the risk of “overall, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer”.
Over the follow-up period, 2,193 people developed cancer for the first time; they were 59 years old at the time of diagnosis, on average. Among these cases, 693 developed breast cancer, 291 developed prostate cancer, and 166 developed colorectal cancer.
The analysis revealed that for a daily increase of 100 milliliters in the intake of sugary drinks, the risk of overall cancer rose by 18%, and the risk of breast cancer increased by 22%. When the researchers analyzed the risk of for 100% fruit juices separately, these also elevated the risk of overall cancer and breast cancer, but not colorectal or prostate cancer.
By contrast, diet drinks did not increase cancer risk. The scientists explain that people who consumed diet drinks did so in very small amounts, so they suggest interpreting this particular result with caution.
The data was limited and there were strengths and weaknesses of their research. The researchers conclude, “These data support the relevance of existing nutritional recommendations to limit sugary drink consumption, including 100% fruit juice, as well as policy actions, such as taxation and marketing restrictions targeting sugary drinks, which might potentially contribute to the reduction of cancer incidence.”
According to researchers, consuming flavonoid-rich items protects against cancer and heart disease, particularly for smokers and heavy drinkers.
Photo by Jennifer Burk on Unsplash Researchers from several worldwide institutions – including the Imperial College London in the UK and the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) in France – have discovered that cancers related to metabolic diseases …
The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures levels of a protein the prostate gland produces. Though many men with prostate cancer usually have high levels of this protein, this does not always indicate cancer for many of those individuals. Other less-serious health conditions may also cause PSA levels to rise. Here’s what you need to know.
What are PSA Levels?
PSAs are normal proteins found in the cells of the prostate gland. This protein is released by the prostate into the semen, where it acts to liquefy the semen following ejaculation. Most of the PSA produced by the prostate gland is carried out of the body in semen, but a very small amount escapes into the bloodstream, which is why normal, low amounts of PSA is found in the blood.
Levels of PSA, according to Yamini Ranchod, PhD, MS, typically remain below 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). “Most men with prostate cancer have PSA levels of above 4 ng/mL, but about 15% of men with a PSA level below that are also diagnosed with prostate cancer.” This means that PSA tests alone cannot rule out or determine whether a man is at a higher risk of having or developing prostate cancer.
Other Causes
As previously stated, many men with prostate cancer have higher-than-normal PSA levels. However, a higher-than-normal PSA test result does not always indicate prostate cancer. There are six other causes of high PSA levels, including health conditionals, lifestyle factors and testing inconsistences that can lead to high test results.
According to numerous studies and test results, a person’s PSA level tend to increase slowly with age. Men over 50 years old should speak with their doctor regarding their risks and screening options.
An inflammation of the prostate, prostatitis, is due to bacterial infection. Men with Prostatitis may have elevated PSA levels. Symptoms of this condition include trouble urinating, fever, or pressure in the rectum. Speak with your doctor for more information.
BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasic, is an enlarged prostate. This has been shown to raise PSA levels and is a common condition in older men. BPH has not be shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer but it is tricky – as its symptoms can be similar to prostate cancer. Speak with your doctor for more information.
Studies have shown that a recent prostate exam, having a urinary catheter, or inserting a scope into the urethra can cause false positives on PSA tests. Speak with your doctor for direction, but waiting a few weeks before undergoing the PSA test, according to Ranchod is your best bet.
Men with a Urinary Tract Infection, UTI (an infection in the urethra or bladder), may experience pain during urination, blood in the urine, or an inability to urinate. In most cases a simple urine test can accurately diagnose a UTI but a UTI has been known to increase PSA levels.
Studies have shown that vigorous exercise a day or two before a PSA test may result in a false positive. Speak with your doctor regarding exercise recommendations and disclose your exercise routine before scheduling your PSA test.
Holistic and Nutrition Support of the Prostate
According to Nicole Crane, B.S., NTP, there is a lot that can be done holistically and nutritionally to support the health of the prostate.
Zinc is great for prostate health and healthy hormone balance for men. It also supports immunity, so it even has a protective effect on prostate tissue.
Pumpkin seed oil supports the prostate due to its source of zinc, Vitamin E, and its powerful antioxidant properties against inflammation.
Saw palmetto supports a normal prostate size, as well as healthy hormone balance. An enlarged prostate pressed down on the urethra and against the bladder, making it difficult and maybe even painful to urinate and/or fully empty your bladder. This may also impact your sleeping patterns.
Stinging nettle root extract protects the prostate by preventing DHT from stimulating it to over-grow. Nettle is a great supporter of healthy hormones which is the key to a normal and healthy prostate size; when the prostate is normal, urinary function is normal, as well.
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, as it protects the body from free radicals that aim to destroy body tissues to regain stability. Not only does lycopene tend to go towards and accumulate in the prostate, once present, it seems to have a very protective effect over prostate tissue and the viability of sperm overall.