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The Role of Dietary Fats in the Prevention of Prostate Cancer | None | Prevent Prostate Cancer
The Role of Dietary Fats in the Prevention of Prostate Cancer
Over the years dietary fats have
received a lot of attention from the media because of their
association with increased risks of heart disease (all facts and
citations in this article are from the guide, Nutritional
Prevention of Prostate Cancer, found at
http://www.PreventProstateCancer.info). Due to this publicity,
saturated and trans-fats have become known as bad fats while
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are considered good fats.
How does this all fit in with the risks of Prostate Cancer?
Well, researchers have found little to no association between total fat, saturated fat, trans-fats, and monounsaturated fats with increased risks of prostate cancer. However, many studies show a relationship between prostate cancer and the consumption of some polyunsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats include the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Studies have shown that high levels of ALA consumption, in the form of red meats and dairy products, is associated with increased risks of prostate cancer, while consumption of DHA and EPA from fatty ocean fish is associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer. In fact, one study in particular showed that eating 3 servings of fatty fish per week resulted in a significant decrease in risk. However consumption of greater than 3 servings per week showed light increases in risk, especially in patients whose cancer had metastasized to other areas of the body.
Research has shown that it is the consumption of cold water fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines that provide the protection against prostate cancer. Studies evaluating the effects of supplementation of DHA and EPA in the form of fish oils have no association with decreased risks. It is commonly believed that fish rather than fish oils contain other preventative compounds such as vitamin D and retinol (Vitamin A) that aid in the prevention of cancer.
With all of that said, it is important to note that ALA is an essential fatty acid and therefore should not be completely eliminated from the diet. Essential fats like ALA and LA are vital to the body, and must be obtained through the diet because the human body is incapable of making them out of other substances. Therefore you should not eliminate all sources of ALA from your diet.
Lastly, in most studies, risks of prostate cancer were only associated with animal sources of ALA, while other studies showed an association with both non-animal (vegetable oils) and animal sources (red meat and dairy). Despite this discrepancy in results, it is clear that diets high in red meat and dairy products contain high levels of ALA; they are the primary risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, replacing red meat with fatty fish a couple of times a week is a good way to reduce your risks of prostate cancer.
More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.
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Well, researchers have found little to no association between total fat, saturated fat, trans-fats, and monounsaturated fats with increased risks of prostate cancer. However, many studies show a relationship between prostate cancer and the consumption of some polyunsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats include the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Studies have shown that high levels of ALA consumption, in the form of red meats and dairy products, is associated with increased risks of prostate cancer, while consumption of DHA and EPA from fatty ocean fish is associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer. In fact, one study in particular showed that eating 3 servings of fatty fish per week resulted in a significant decrease in risk. However consumption of greater than 3 servings per week showed light increases in risk, especially in patients whose cancer had metastasized to other areas of the body.
Research has shown that it is the consumption of cold water fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines that provide the protection against prostate cancer. Studies evaluating the effects of supplementation of DHA and EPA in the form of fish oils have no association with decreased risks. It is commonly believed that fish rather than fish oils contain other preventative compounds such as vitamin D and retinol (Vitamin A) that aid in the prevention of cancer.
With all of that said, it is important to note that ALA is an essential fatty acid and therefore should not be completely eliminated from the diet. Essential fats like ALA and LA are vital to the body, and must be obtained through the diet because the human body is incapable of making them out of other substances. Therefore you should not eliminate all sources of ALA from your diet.
Lastly, in most studies, risks of prostate cancer were only associated with animal sources of ALA, while other studies showed an association with both non-animal (vegetable oils) and animal sources (red meat and dairy). Despite this discrepancy in results, it is clear that diets high in red meat and dairy products contain high levels of ALA; they are the primary risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, replacing red meat with fatty fish a couple of times a week is a good way to reduce your risks of prostate cancer.
More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.