Can You Prevent Prostate Cancer thru Diet?


Spoiler Alert: You CAN help prevent prostate cancer thru diet.

What do you think of when you think of wanting to live a healthy life? Let’s be honest, most men think of fitness related to physique as the primary focus, maybe even fitness to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like high blood pressure or diabetes. Both physique and avoidance of chronic disease are a great to focus on, but it is also important for men to focus on prostate health as well.

The risk of prostate cancer…

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer among men in the United States. Shocking right? It’s not talked about nearly as much as some of the other cancers. If you are like most men, you want to avoid prostate cancer by whatever means possible. Luckily there are some really simple steps you can take to decrease your risk, one of the most important steps is changing your diet.

You can prevent prostate cancer thru diet.

Here are the key dietary factors known to affect the risk of developing prostate cancer:

Low-fat diet: Some studies have found men who had higher daily animal fat intake had an increased risk of prostate cancer. In studies that looked at fat consumption and prostate cancer risk, animal fats were more likely to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer than plant-based fats.

Fruits and vegetables: These are full of vitamins and nutrients that are thought to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, though research hasn’t proved that any particular nutrient is guaranteed to reduce your risk. Cruciferous vegetables have unique antioxidant properties that enable them to counteract some of the damage caused by carcinogens. Eating more fruits and vegetables also tends to make you have less room for other foods, such as high-fat foods.

Fat: Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and herring contain omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fatty acid that has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Avoid trans fatty acids, though, which are known to promote cancer growth. These are commonly found in butter and many processed and fried foods.

Dairy: A number of studies have found that men who ate the most dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt on a daily basis had the highest risk of prostate cancer. The risk associated with dairy products is thought to be small.

Overcooking meat: Overcooking meat produces carcinogens called heterocyclic amines that have been shown to cause prostate cancer in animal studies. In addition, charbroiling red meat or chicken with its skin intact produces another set of carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Research has suggested that intake of these charred meat carcinogens triggers mutations in prostate cell DNA, which leads to a chronic inflammatory response in the prostate. This combination of mutations and inflammation appear to be a key to the development of prostate cancer. Steaming or baking meats and avoiding overcooking meat can significantly reduce the amount of carcinogens produced.

Sugar: Several animal studies suggest that cutting simple sugar and carbohydrate intake may slow prostate cancer growth. Excess sugar intake is further linked to
prostate cancer growth through increased insulin levels. Insulin resistance has been found to reduce levels of important proteins that stimulate prostate cancer cell death.

Selenium and Vitamin E: The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) evaluated whether taking vitamin E and selenium prevented the development of prostate cancer. The study showed that taking selenium alone or with vitamin E did not decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

Lycopene: Several animal studies have demonstrated that lycopenes, found mostly in tomatoes, may reduce prostate tumor growth. Some human studies have shown that a diet high in lycopene may be linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer, but other studies have not. It has not been proven that taking lycopene supplements slows the development or progression of prostate cancer.

Gluten-free diet: This diet is typically recommended for patients with celiac disease, an inflammatory bowel condition. By reducing inflammation, this diet may have a role in cancer prevention as well. Foods with no gluten include all fruits, vegetable, meat, fish, and eggs.

Multivitamins: Regular use of multivitamins has not been proven to increase the risk of early or localized prostate cancer.

To reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer, men should focus on foods rich in antioxidants and low in pro-inflammatory and carcinogenic substances. Powerful anti-cancer nutrients are found in colorful fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, leafy green leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, and seeds. Choose green tea, soy, fish, and foods low in calories and fat. The Mediterranean diet, which is loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, olive oil, and fish, is heart-healthy and may be very beneficial for prostate cancer prevention. If oil is needed, choose olive oil, which is very healthy and rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. Avocado oil is also good. Avoid oils high in polyunsaturated fats such as corn, canola, or soybean.

Missing your Sunday steak night getting you down?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to change everything at once. Start with once or twice a week, switch out your regular lunch or dinner for a salad with lean healthy protein. This way you get a pile of veggies in one sitting. Bonus points if you nix the iceberg lettuce in favor of kale, spinach, or spring mix.

Additional swaps you can make…
  • Swap out processed foods for whole foods. A good example is eating a whole orange instead of drinking orange juice.
  • Use healthy oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil instead of margarine or butter.
  • Drink more water. Slowly begin to replace soda and other flavored drinks with good ‘ol fashioned water.

Want healthy swaps you can make to help prevent prostate cancer thru diet?

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Prostate Healthy Foods for Men: Add These 3 to Your Diet


Are you taking advantage of a simple way to boost your prostate health? Prostate healthy foods are a readily available and a tasty part of reducing inflammation in that tiny gland that can cause so much trouble.

Most men don’t blink an eye at potential health problems until one rears its ugly head. Prevention is 90% of any health issue and the same is true for your prostate. This tiny gland can cause some major daily life troubles for you.

For more in-depth information on prostate healthy foods to enjoy and avoid,  sign up for The Male 90X Consult!

Don’t miss the conversation on the Dr. Gapin Facebook Page.

5 Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Prostate


A healthy prostate is incredibly important for men, especially if you want to keep living your current lifestyle without having to spend a significant chunk of your day at a urinal.

Luckily, there are simple ways that you can support the health of your prostate. By making some simple changes to your lifestyle, including exercising and taking the right supplements, you can keep your prostate healthy.

Diet can play a big part, too. Some foods can have a greater impact than others. I’ve put together a list of the foods that you should avoid if you want to keep your prostate healthy.

1. Red meat and processed meat


Sorry, guys, but eating lots of red meat can have a big, detrimental effect on your prostate health. First and foremost, men who eat a lot of red meat are at a higher risk of developing cancer, including prostate cancer. Don’t worry, it’s possible to stop eating meat or eat a whole lot less and still be happy!

The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study showed that men who eat more red meat have a higher chance of developing metastatic prostate cancer.

It’s also thought that cooking red meat can produce compounds that may cause prostate cancer. Red meat looks red because it has a lot of hemoglobin and its close cousin found in muscle, myoglobin.

When you cook red meat, hemoglobin and myoglobin are broken down into compounds that can potentially cause oxidative damage. Those compounds can circulate throughout your body when you eat them, damaging your cells and tissues.

And, if you overcook or sear the meat, as in grilling or broiling it, you’re producing even more carcinogenic compounds.

Eating red meat can also alter the levels of certain growth factors in your body, increasing your cancer risk. Additionally, red meat tends to be very high in fat, and a high-fat diet has been shown to alter testosterone production, which has also been shown to increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. 

2. Sugar

Sugar tastes great, but it’s not great for your body.

Eating a lot of sugar creates inflammation in your body, including in your prostate. That inflammation can lead to prostatitis, which causes urinary symptoms like trouble going, as well as pelvic pain.

Inflammation can also cause prostate enlargement, leading to the constant feeling of “having to go” all the time, slow emptying of the bladder, and other BPH symptoms. There’s a strong connection between inflammation and BPH, so do what you can to reduce inflammation in your body.

High sugar intake also leads to high insulin levels and metabolic syndrome, which can increase your risk of cancer.

High insulin levels, caused by eating lots of sugar, causes the body and specifically the liver to produce more of a compound called IGF-1. It’s thought that excess IGF-1 contributes to the development of prostate cancer.

Other studies have shown that high insulin resistance (caused by a high-sugar diet) is strongly associated with prostate cancer risk. And, the general inflammation caused by eating lots of sugar can certainly contribute to prostate cancer as well.

So, to keep your entire body healthy, including your prostate, limit the amount of refined sugar and processed carbs you eat.

Don’t shy away from fruit because you think it has a lot of sugar. Fruit also contains many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and other compounds that can reduce your cancer risk and keep you healthy.

3. Dairy


Unfortunately for any dairy lovers out there, there’s a strong link between diets that are high in dairy and prostate cancer.

The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study found an association between dairy and metastatic prostate cancer; men who ate lots of dairy had a two-fold greater chance of developing aggressive prostate cancer relative to men who ate very little dairy.

Dairy products often contain a lot of steroid hormones, which can really up your prostate cancer risk. If you absolutely can’t bring yourself to give up all dairy, try to only eat organic dairy, and try to limit the dairy that you do eat.

There are no added hormones in organic milk.  Also try to make any dairy you eat nonfat or low-fat, which are also better for your prostate.

4. Eggs


Including more eggs in your diet may also increase your risk of getting prostate cancer.

A 2011 study out of Harvard and UCSF found that men who ate an average of 2.5 or more eggs were much more likely to develop lethal prostate cancer than men who ate half an egg or less a week.

A 2010 study by the same authors also found that when men ate more eggs, their prostate cancer was more likely to advance and become more aggressive.

Eggs are high in cholesterol and choline, which is why the study hypothesized that those compounds might be involved in increasing the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

5. Alcohol


As much as you love your glass of wine with dinner, or a beer while watching sports, consider your health first. And consider giving it up if you really want to take care of your prostate.

For example, the Harvard Alumni Health Study found that men who drank moderate amounts of liquor had a 61-67% higher risk of developing prostate cancer. They didn’t see the same effect in beer or wine drinkers, though.

The Harvard Alumni Health Study is one of many studies that show similar results.

In fact, reviews of multiple studies show that the more you drink, the higher your prostate cancer risk. And, there’s a stronger association between liquor and prostate cancer than wine or beer. But, the results of some studies are mixed, and some even suggest that drinking more wine might actually help protect you from prostate cancer.

If you don’t want to give up alcohol completely, try keeping it to just a drink or two a week. This will help to lower your risk of many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. And, you might consider switching up what you drink if you’re a liquor drinker.

If you really want a drink, consider swapping out your bourbon or gin and tonic for a glass of wine. You may have a healthier prostate if you do.

Maintain a healthy prostate

Curious to learn more ways that you can support prostate health and reduce your prostate cancer risk?  Sign up for The Male 90X Consult now.

This genetic-based report and private consultation will help you make simple lifestyle changes to lower your risk of prostate cancer. 

The Link Between Vitamin D and Prostate Health

Are Vitamin D and prostate health related?

Half of all men over age 50 will be diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This statistic rises to nearly 90% in men over age 80. While an enlarged prostate due to BPH can be related to age, it may be even more intricately linked to hormonal and vitamin imbalances in the body.  

In fact, numerous studies in recent years may have found a strong link between BPH and vitamin D. A majority of men are deficient in vitamin D, especially as they get older. Studies show this deficiency increases the risk for male sexual health problems among other concerns like cancers, heart disease, and depression.

Let’s first take a look at BPH and vitamin D separately, and then use information about both to understand the correlation between the two.

What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP) is, simply put, an enlarged prostate. The stromal and epithelial cells—both of which make up the tissue of the prostate—overgrow and expand, causing the prostate to grow in size.

BPH is often linked to other prostate and sexual health concerns as well, such as prostatitis and prostate cancer.

If the prostate grows large enough, it will restrict and affect other areas of reproductive health. For example, an enlarged prostate can obstruct the urethra and minimize the size of the bladder.

This can lead to complications like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney stones, kidney infections, and possibly even kidney failure.


There are a variety of treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia, but results are varied based on the cause of the BPH. Generally, BPH can occur due to hormones, diet, or simply from age.

There is a strong link between estrogen and overgrowth of prostate cells. In conjunction with naturally dropping testosterone levels due to age, male estrogen (estradiol) begins to take over and prostate cells multiply rapidly.  

Still, there is still a lot of missing research to fully understand BPH and its causes. That’s where vitamin D comes in.

What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that works like a hormone in the body. It is absorbed in the small intestine and stored in the tissue.

Because it’s stored in tissues, the body holds on to it for longer periods of time than water-soluble vitamins. The body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorous from the blood stream, so these minerals can be used for proper organ function, nerve health, and bone strength.


We get vitamin D primarily from the sun. Our bodies use a complex process to convert ultraviolet rays into vitamin D. We can also get small amounts of vitamin D from foods like salmon, herring, orange juice, fortified cereals and drinks, or supplements.

Vitamin D has a number of proven health benefits:

  • Boosts immune system and ability to fight infections
  • Improves life expectancy
  • Maintains bone health
  • Prevents high blood pressure
  • May decrease risk of certain cancers, like colon cancer
  • Reduces muscle and joint pain
  • Promotes muscle strength
  • Lowers risk of heart disease and improves cardiovascular function
  • Protects brain function and memory; may fight Alzheimer’s

Vitamin D has also been linked to prostate health and male fertility. High levels of vitamin D maintain strong sperm count with quality semen.

Additionally, vitamin D has been considered a possible treatment for ED because of its positive effects on blood flow (vitamin D may work to send more blood to the penis to help it get an erection).

So how is vitamin D related to BPH?

Does vitamin D treat BPH?

Vitamin D is not a proven treatment for BPH…yet.

A study in the Canadian Journal of Urology discovered that, “the impact of vitamin D on prostate volume and BPH has shown promising results, thus proposing further studies on vitamin D and BPH be conducted.”

Although conclusive results are still needed, vitamin D shows some significant benefits that can reduce symptoms and potential causes of BPH

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a significant factor of benign prostatic hyperplasia. BPH is, simply put, an inflammation of a specific grouping of cells, which then causes an overall inflammation of the prostate.

One study with the International Journal of Andrology found that vitamin D receptors play a crucial role in inflammation. They concluded that strengthening these receptors—through the supplementation or consumption of vitamin D—can help minimize inflammation, including BPH-related enlargement.

Another study in Italy found that the synthetic vitamin D2 was able to stop inflammation and growth of BPH cells.

Basically, vitamin D can help promote a normal prostate size and reduce prostate swelling like BPH and prostatitis. Vitamin D has proven properties that inhibit cellular proliferation, which is the process of cells increasingly growing or dividing. The ability to reduce inflammation and cell proliferation may also be the reason that vitamin D could minimize the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Testosterone

Estradiol, or male estrogen, also plays a role in BPH. Elevated estrogen prohibits testosterone production.

Low testosterone levels can result in reduced libido, mood changes, increased risk of heart disease, lowered energy, erectile dysfunction, and—you guessed it—an enlarged prostate.

According to the American Urological Association 2015 Annual Meeting, vitamin D may be able to increase testosterone concentrations, especially in aging men whose T levels are starting to naturally decline. Vitamin D has also regulates estrogen levels and increase sperm quality.

Healthy weight

In addition, lowered testosterone can also result in weight gain and a loss of muscle. This, in turn, elevates the level of free-floating estrogen; this creates a cycle of high estrogen, low testosterone, weight gain, and prostate concerns.


A study at the University of Milan found that vitamin D can help maintain a healthy weight. Those participants with vitamin D supplementation lost more weight and had a larger reduction in waistlines than those who did not take supplements during the same weight loss regimen.

In this way, vitamin D may also help shed weight, which can in turn boost testosterone and lower estrogen.

Simply put, vitamin D can help balance estrogen and testosterone despite outside forces like weight gain and age-related disorders. This balance may help prevent BPH, as cells growth is not encouraged by excessive free-floating estrogen.

Bottom line

An analysis of the many studies of vitamin D and prostate health can conclude that it may play a role in preventing and treating BPH. 

However, maintaining a healthy level of vitamin D is crucial to overall health and wellness, and it has demonstrated some positive effects on prostate health, male fertility, or testosterone levels.

If you’re dealing with BPH, talk to your doctor about incorporating a vitamin D supplement into your routine. And don’t forget to catch some vitamin D sun rays (with proper SPF protection, of course).

To achieve the ultimate prostate health and achieve your maximum potential sign up for The Male 90X Consult. This genetic-based report and private consultation will get you on track for a total body transformation so you can start living the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Testosterone and Prostate Cancer – What You Should Know


What is the relationship between testosterone and prostate cancer? Does testosterone stimulate the growth of prostate cancer? Let’s answer the many questions surrounding the association between men’s hormones and prostate cancer.

Starting with probably the single most common question that has been weighing on the minds of many scientists and medical professionals for decades:

Do high levels of testosterone cause prostate cancer?

In 2017, the answer most consistent within the medical and scientific field was, no.

Of course, within medicine, there are no real definites. However, after years of studies, recent analyses would suggest that raised levels of testosterone are likely not associated with prostate cancer.

The 2015 Therapeutic Advances in Urology analysis of multiple studies concluded, “there remains no clear association with higher testosterone and the development of severity of prostate cancer.” Another 2015 meta-analysis by the American Urological Association Annual Meeting concluded that there is no link between testosterone—both natural and prescription— and prostate cancer or PSA (prostate-specific antigen.)

Please note that it is still best to consult with a doctor in order to prevent and fight prostate cancer in a way that is most applicable to your situation.  As the Journal of Urology discussed in their review, the risk of high T and prostate cancer is not zero, so it should still be considered in certain cases.

Although raised T may not cause prostate cancer, there may still be some link between the two. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age; proportionally, testosterone levels decline with age. Is this correlated?

Do low testosterone levels cause prostate cancer?

Not necessarily. Although it may seem that way on the surface, there’s a missing link in this puzzle. As men age, the risk of prostate cancer increases and testosterone decreases… but something else hormonal also happens. Estrogen increases.

For years, scientists have linked prostate cancer with male hormones, otherwise known as androgens. They knew that men had estrogen, but they never considered that it played a role in male sexual cancers.

Back in the 1930s and 1940s, scientists understood that high levels of estrogen could influence the formation of the male reproductive system—both as a fetus and in developing years. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that scientists recognized the true role that estrogen played in male reproductive health.

In fact, men produce estrogen in sizable quantities in both the testes and brain. Estrogen plays a major role in adult testicular function by stimulating certain cells that release hormones and boost the quality of the sperm. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology concluded that estrogen is vital to healthy male fertility.

High estrogen levels

Although estrogen is an important part of male sexual health, high levels of estrogen have proven to lead to major health issues.


High levels of estradiol (male biologically-active estrogen) may cause:

  •     Low libido
  •     Risk of heart attack and coronary disease
  •     Weight gain
  •     Infertility
  •     Risk of hypertension and diabetes
  •     Arthritis
  •     Risk of stroke

Furthermore, increased estrogen production can block testosterone production. The enzyme aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen, which can create a hormone imbalance that’s a recipe for disaster. Low testosterone, in turn, is at the core of a number of health problems in aging men:

Notice how many symptoms overlap between high estrogen and low testosterone?

So one day, someone decided to put this together. A high estrogen level causes problems in the body, including infertility and weight gain. A low level of testosterone—which is also associated to male sexual health issues—is linked to increased estrogen due to blocked T production.

So, is this hormonal imbalance influencing the prostate?

Or even further…

Can estrogen cause prostate cancer?

Some recent studies say yes, and others say no. One study says yes and no!

Research presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2010 found something especially interesting. Kosti with Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center found that one type of estrogen metabolite, 4-OHE1, appeared to be more abundant in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Thus, this suggests that this form of estrogen could cause prostate cancer.

But there was another finding that confused researchers even more…

There are certain estrogen metabolites (16-KE2 and 17-epiE3) known to be “harmful estrogens” in breast cancer—meaning they are found at extraordinarily high levels in patients with breast cancer. These same estrogen metabolites were found in high amounts in men without prostate cancer and low amounts in men with prostate cancer.

This suggests that those particular types of breast-cancer-causing estrogens “may have a protective role against prostate cancer development.”

That’s right. Some estrogen types may be linked to prostate cancer, while others (the ones linked to breast cancer) may actually help fight prostate cancer.

What’s a guy to do?

Generally, you never want your estradiol or estrogen to be higher than your testosterone. In males, testosterone levels should always be higher in order to properly maintain sexual and overall wellbeing.

But there’s still one question left unanswered. If some estrogen forms can help fight prostate cancer, can T play a role in inhibiting prostate cancer?

Can high T help fight or prevent prostate cancer?

A study by European Urology found that some men diagnosed with cancer did not have a progression of disease when taking testosterone therapy. This suggests that testosterone could help prevent prostate cancer from developing further. Because of this success, the study concluded, “it appears reasonable to offer testosterone therapy in selected individuals with a history of prostate cancer.”

Because of this success, the study concluded, “it appears reasonable to offer testosterone therapy in selected individuals with a history of prostate cancer.”


Another study in the Journal of Urology found that testosterone therapy following radiation therapy had a low rate of recurrence. This again suggests prostate cancer prevention rather than treatment.

High testosterone is not linked to prostate cancer, and low testosterone may not be either. As for preventing prostate cancer before it hits, again the jury’s out.

So what can we gather from all this? Let’s tie it up in a pretty package.

Bottom line

The relationship between hormones and prostate cancer is still widely unknown. Hundreds of studies have come back with different conclusions, likely due to scientific variables.

However, our general conclusions are:

  • High testosterone likely does not cause prostate cancer.
  • There is no proven link between low testosterone and prostate cancer.
  • High testosterone may prevent prostate cancer recurrence.
  • There may be a link between some forms of estrogen and prostate cancer. (On the flip side, some forms of breast-cancer-causing estrogen may prevent prostate cancer.)

Despite these conclusions, one thing is for certain. It definitely doesn’t hurt to keep a healthy balance of hormones. For males, this usually means having slightly higher levels of testosterone than estrogen. This will help maintain prostate health, sex drive, weight, blood sugar levels, coronary strength, and more. Even consider your foods that lower testosterone.

Discuss hormone levels and prostate cancer screenings with your doctor to be sure you’re in a healthy range. Make the choice now to lower your risk of prostate cancer with The Male 90X Consult  a genetic-based report and private consultation that will give you the insight you need for a total body transformation to achieve your maximum potential!

Can We Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk Through Lifestyle Change?


Cancer prevention is an important aspect of our daily lives. For men, the most prevalent cancer diagnosed is prostate cancer. Finding ways to prevent or reduce one’s risk of developing prostate cancer is a high priority.

Exercise

The evidence is mounting that inflammation and oxidation play key roles in the development of prostate cancer. Research suggests that regular exercise may be one of the best natural antioxidants.

Exercise causes many changes in the body that help reduce circulating levels of reactive oxygen inflammation. A recent study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology evaluated the effects of exercise in prostate cancer patients. Men with at least 3 hours per week of vigorous activity had 49% reduced overall mortality and 61% reduced prostate cancer mortality compared. This was compared to men with less than 1 hour per week of vigorous activity.

A recent Swedish study supported these findings, concluding that both aerobic exercise and resistance training clearly improve overall and prostate cancer-specific survival.

Sex

A 2004 study from the NIH initially suggested frequent sexual activity might reduce the incidence of prostate cancer.

This was further supported by a recent review of 32,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study who were followed for 18 years. Prostate cancer risk was 20% lower in men with more frequent sexual activity. According to the study lead author, Jennifer Rider, “Safe sexual activity could be good for prostate health.”

Medications – Proscar and Avodart

Proscar and Avodart are prescriptions that are used to “shrink” the prostate by lowering the number of male sex hormones. The drugs block the enzyme that changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone(DHT), a much more potent hormone.

Higher than normal levels of DHT may also play a part in developing prostate cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) studied whether finasteride (Proscar) reduced the incidence of prostate cancer. The trial found fewer prostate cancers in the men who took finasteride compared with the men who did not. However, the men who took finasteride and developed prostate cancer had more aggressive tumors. The number of deaths from prostate cancer was the same in both groups.

The Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events Trial (REDUCE) studied whether the drug dutasteride (Avodart) reduced the risk of prostate cancer. This study again showed there were fewer prostate cancers in men who took dutasteride compared with the men who did not. Overall, the number of aggressive prostate cancers were not significantly reduced.

Statins

There has been tremendous interest in the effects cholesterol-reducing medications have on the development of prostate cancer. There have been at least 18 trials to date, several of which have found a reduced risk of cancer recurrence after both surgery and radiation therapy. This suggests that statins may slow the progression of prostate cancer.

Research is ongoing to determine if statins may actually reduce the incidence of prostate cancer.

Metformin

Metformin is a prescription medication used primarily to manage diabetes. It is also known to have a protective effect on the progression of prostate cancer. A recent study of nearly 4,000 diabetic men found that those taking metformin, when diagnosed with prostate cancer, were less likely to die from cancer or other causes compared to men using other diabetes drugs.

Prior research focused on whether metformin might reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer has been negative. More studies are currently underway.

Aspirin

There has been extensive research looking at the relative effect of aspirin on the incidence of prostate cancer. While many of the studies demonstrated a protective effect, others did not. The jury is still out on aspirin.

Regardless of one’s diet or lifestyle, knowledge is one of the best ways to reduce prostate cancer risk. By staying informed on the latest research regarding prostate cancer prevention, men can make small changes that can lead to big improvements. Start today by signing up for a Male 90 X consult, a genetic-based report and private consultation that will give you the insight you need to achieve your maximum potential!