A very low fat, vegetarian diet combined with exercise and relaxation therapy may be able to stop and in some cases, even reverse the progression of early stage prostate cancer.
Researchers from the University of California San Francisco, lead by Dr. Dean Ornish, compared PSA levels in two groups of participants. PSA is a compound in the blood that indicates the prostate health and is often linked with prostate cancer. The first group did not have any type of intervention, while the second group was placed on a 10-percent vegan diet, with dietary supplements, regular physical activity, yoga and meditation.
After one year, PSA levels rose by 6 percent in the group who made no changes, while the group who changed their diet experienced a 4 percent decrease in their PSA levels. Lab tests also indicated inhibited prostate cancer growth by up to 8 times more in the lifestyle-change group compared with the control group. This suggests that intensive lifestyle changes could slow prostate tumour growth as well as lower PSA.
These findings join a growing body of research that shows a diet low in fat and rich in fruit and vegetables, as well as regular exercise, can reduce the risk of a range of cancers including breast and prostate cancers.
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