Worldwide, the highest increase in male cancer rates is prostate cancer. To prevent prostate cancer, it is very important to develop healthy eating habits. Professor Shigeo Horie from the Department of Urology at the Graduate School of Juntendo University in Japan pointed out that excessive intake of animal fats can easily affect prostate health, and recommends that men over 40 drink low-fat milk whenever possible.
Are fish oil, chicken fat, and olive oil all bad for the prostate?
In the past 20 years, the incidence of prostate cancer worldwide has been continuously rising. According to data, in the past 50 years, the daily calorie intake of Japanese people has decreased, but their fat intake has increased, which means the proportion of fat in their diet has grown. This change is directly reflected in the increase in prostate cancer incidence rates. Professor Horie stated: "Obesity is a major cause of prostate cancer."
A high-fat diet can have a detrimental effect on the prostate. Controlling the intake of fat and salt and maintaining a balanced diet are key to preventing prostate cancer. For example, a glass of unmodified milk contains as much fat as five slices of bacon. Some studies have shown that people who drink more milk are more likely to develop prostate cancer. In Nordic countries with high dairy consumption, the incidence of prostate cancer is also higher. Therefore, Professor Horie recommends that men over 40 should drink low-fat milk as much as possible.
In addition, fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids, which has long been thought to promote cancer prevention, and olive oil rich in oleic acid are also considered to be among the causes of the high incidence of prostate cancer. People who consume a lot of chicken fat also have a relatively higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
Eating more soybeans, tomatoes, broccoli, etc., is beneficial for preventing prostate cancer
Foods that help prevent prostate cancer include soybeans, tomatoes, turmeric, green tea, broccoli, and more. It is said that people who regularly drink tomato juice or eat tomato sauce have a lower risk of prostate cancer.
Professor Horie gave an example: even among Italians, those who prefer tomato sauce as a condiment have fewer cases of prostate cancer compared to those who prefer cheese and eggs as condiments. Meanwhile, people who regularly consume soy products can reduce their risk of prostate cancer by about 30%.
Most prostate cancer patients like to eat fried foods
The early detection test for prostate cancer, the "PSA test," is a method that detects abnormalities in the prostate by checking the concentration of PSA (prostate-specific antigen, a protein secreted by the prostate) in the blood, aiming for early detection of prostate cancer. Patients found to have abnormal values through this method can lower their values by improving their lifestyle. Professor Horie gave an example where he divided patients into two groups: one group followed his instructions to mainly eat vegetables, consume large amounts of vitamins and fish, and walk slowly for 30 minutes a day, six days a week. The other group made no changes to their lifestyle. After a period of time, he found that the PSA values of the group that made changes had decreased. Horie pointed out that for prostate cancer and breast cancer, especially cancers that develop over a long period, it is very important to manage your lifestyle well to prevent them.
In addition, a survey on the dietary habits of prostate cancer patients by the Juntendo University School of Medicine showed that prostate cancer patients share a common preference: eating fried foods. This means that patients who stick to a light diet are less likely to develop prostate cancer. Professor Horie stated that for older men, regular cancer screenings and adherence to a light, balanced diet play an important role in preventing prostate cancer. Even for patients who already have cancer, maintaining a correct diet is more conducive to the treatment of prostate cancer.