A balanced diet is one way to improve your outlook on cancer. You could make treatment progress by introducing healthy meals into your daily routine.

There is a connection between diet and cancer.

Research from 2021 suggests that diet may help prevent prostate cancer. But what effects do the foods you eat have on people already living with prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, according to the American Cancer Society. Approximately 1 in 8 men will receive this diagnosis during their lifetime.

What you eat may affect your outlook. If you eat a typical Western diet, it may help improve your outlook.

The impact of diet on prostate cancer is actively being researched. The 2021 research mentioned before suggests that a nutritious diet high in plant foods like fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

A diet high in processed meats and high in saturated fat can affect health in a number of ways, and may increase the risk for prostate cancer. Inflammation and disrupting the hormones are included.

Plant-based foods, such as legumes, fruits, and vegetables, could have the opposite effect. Eating these types of foods may help slow the growth of prostate cancer in those who have it.

A 2021 study found that the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, fish, whole grains, and legumes, was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer progression. A 2022 study found that the Mediterranean benefited overall survival rates after a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Mediterranean diet approaches can help improve outcomes for people with prostrate cancer. If you want to eat the same foods as the guidelines, you should include:

  • Tomatoes and tomato products. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, an antioxidant that may have a protective effect on prostate health, according to the National Cancer Institute.
  • Cruciferous vegetables. Vegetables in this group include broccoli, bok choy, Brussel sprouts, horseradish, cauliflower, kale, and turnips. These vegetables are high in isothiocyanates, which may help protect against cancer, according to 2009 research.
  • Vegetables and fruits high in carotenoids. Carotenoids are a family of antioxidants found in orange and dark green vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, winter squash, and dark green, leafy vegetables.
  • Whole grains. High fiber, whole grain foods include oatmeal, quinoa, barley, millet, buckwheat, and brown rice.
  • Beans or legumes. Beans and legumes are high in protein and low in fat. They include soybeans and soybean products, lentils, peanuts, chickpeas, and carob.
  • Fish. The Mediterranean diet recommends fish as well as legumes and vegetables.

It is not only what you eat that counts. A balanced diet can be achieved by cutting back on processed and red meats, ultra-processed foods, and foods and beverages high in added sugar.

The American Cancer Society also recommends that you limit sugar-sweetened beverages as well as other highly processed foods and refined grain products.

Eating a more plant-centric diet may be a smart idea for those with prostate cancer, as some studies have linked diets high in certain animal products, including eggs and red meat, with more serious forms of prostate cancer.

It is your diet that is most important when it comes to promoting overall health while living with a disease.

“It can’t take the place of medication or medical treatments if you follow a high-calcium diet. Regular medical care is needed to effectively treat the disease.”

If you decide to follow these diet approaches for better health and outcome on your own, you must keep up with your prescribed treatments and keep your medical appointments.

Treatment for prostrate cancer may include:

Some of the treatments may have side effects.

A healthy lifestyle includes diet. There are a few other action items that should be kept in mind.

  • If you can, attend a support group or keep up with your social calendar.
  • Maintain a moderate weight. Obesity has been linked to adverse outcomes in those with prostate cancer.
  • If you feel well enough, you can find an exercise you enjoy and make it part of your routine. Walking, swimming, and lifting weights are good choices.
  • Tobacco products should be eliminated or reduced.

Research shows that a Mediterranean-type diet and plant-based diet may help reduce disease progression and mortality in people with prostrate cancer.

While healthy eating is beneficial, it should not be used as a substitute for supervision or medical intervention.