Cancer of the prostate: influence of nutritional factors - A new nutritional approach

Fibers: A group of vegetarian subjects have been shown to have a lower risk of cancer of the prostate than a control group. But the exact role of food fiber remains to be determined because plant foods also have an antioxidan t effect on their own. Plant products and extracts: A compound called PD SPEC has been showed to h ave antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. Evaluated in patients with a cancer escaping hormone control, the clinical response was a lower level of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Soybeans: Several studies have demonstrated the interesting properties of s oybeans. No study has however been able to demonstrate the optimal dose per day. A prospective study is currently under way using a 40 g/day dose. Overall nutritional approach: Several studies are being conducted using a p roposed diet where 15% of the total energy intake comes from fat (associate d with a low saturated/unsaturated ratio), high fiber content(18 g/100kcal) and 40 g daily soybean protein. Although large-scale studies with rigorous methodology are lacking, an overall nutritional approach could be an inter esting strategy for the management of cancer of the prostate.