Research shows that eating plenty of fish, olive oil, and walnuts while limiting potato chips, biscuits, and mayonnaise can slow the growth of early-stage prostate cancer.
A new study suggests that simple dietary changes may help suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells in patients undergoing active surveillance.
This is a treatment approach that monitors the cancer regularly without immediate intervention.
The results of this study show that a diet low in omega-6s and high in omega-3 fatty acids, combined with fish oil supplements, significantly slows the growth rate of prostate cancer cells in men with early-stage disease.
And it may take longer before more aggressive treatment is needed, the scientists said.
Many men with low-risk prostate cancer choose active surveillance over immediate treatment.
However, about half end up needing surgery or radiation treatment within five years.
Because of this, patients are eager to find ways to delay the need for treatment, such as dietary changes and supplements.
A diet high in fish, walnuts and olive oil may lengthen the time it takes to require more aggressive treatment, the scientists said.
Researchers conducted a study of 100 men at low or intermediate risk for prostate cancer who chose active surveillance.
Participants were randomly assigned to either continue their regular diet or follow a low-omega-6, high-omega-3 diet supplemented with fish oil for one year.
The group was given advice on healthier, lower-fat alternatives to high-fat and high-calorie foods, such as using olive oil or lemon and vinegar in salad dressings and eating more fish and nuts. Ta.
They were also advised to reduce their intake of foods high in omega-6, such as potato chips, biscuits, mayonnaise and other fried and processed foods.
These participants were also given fish oil capsules to further increase their omega-3 intake, while the other group received no dietary counseling or took fish oil tablets.
The researchers tracked changes in a biomarker called the Ki-67 index, which indicates the rate at which cancer cells proliferate. It is an important predictor of cancer progression, metastasis, and survival.
On average, more than 52,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, making it the most common cancer in men. Approximately 12,000 men die from the disease each year, which equates to one death every 45 minutes.
The analysis showed that after one year, the Ki-67 index decreased by 15% in the low omega-6, omega-3-rich diet and fish oil group, while it increased by 24% in the control group.
“This is an important step toward understanding how diet may influence prostate cancer outcomes,” said Dr. William Aaronson, professor of urology at UCLA and lead author of the study. “It’s a step forward.”
“Many men are interested in making lifestyle changes, including diet, to manage cancer and prevent disease progression.
“Our findings suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet may slow cancer growth and extend the time before more aggressive intervention is needed. .”
Although the results are promising, the researchers found no differences in other cancer growth markers commonly used to track prostate cancer progression.
The study results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
