While it is extremely important to remember to consume foods rich in anti-oxidants as a method to improving health and reducing your risk of cancers, sometimes we forget about what we might be doing that increases our risk of cancers. Let’s go back to the basics and look at two food choices that could be making matters worse.
Medium Rare Vs. Burnt?
A carcinogen is a chemical that directly or indirectly causes or leads to more aggressive forms of cancer. In today’s industrial society, it’s hard to avoid all exposure to carcinogens. However, by focusing on a healthy diet and on healthy eating practices, you can reduce your exposure to carcinogens that contribute to the development of prostate cancer.
Overcooking any type of meat at very high temperatures produces a set of carcinogens called heterocyclic amines, one of which, known as PhIP, has been shown to cause prostate cancer in animal studies. In addition, charbroiling red meat or chicken, with its skin intact, produces yet another set of carcinogens, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These charred meat carcinogens triggers mutations in prostate cell DNA and 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.
Use alternate methods to cook meat and significantly cut down on the amount of carcinogens produced. The best forms of cooking are steaming or baking rather than charbroiling or pan-frying.
While you’re watching your cooking methods, increase your consumption of cruciferous vegetables, which have unique properties that enable them to help “sponge up” carcinogens and possibly even counteract some of the damage caused by these carcinogens
Too much Sugar?
Sugar is a prime energy source for many cancers, including prostate cancer. Through evolution most normal cells can adapt to an environment low in sugar and use other energy sources. However, cancer, which grows faster than normal cells, does not have the same ability to adapt to low sugar environments. Thus, the more excess sugar consumed, the more the tumour is stimulated. This is supported by a number of animal studies and has been used as a form of treatment in alternative medicine for many years.
When too much sugar is consumed and the body constantly produces high levels of insulin to help process it, our cells can become immune to the effects of insulin, resulting in too-high levels of sugar in the blood, a common sign of metabolic syndrome and a strong risk factor for diabetes. In addition, high insulin levels have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and prostate cancer growth, independent of its interaction with sugar.
Putting this evidence together, research is beginning to suggest that the more processed sugars you eat, the higher your insulin levels, and the more likely it is that your prostate cancer will grow. Even modest changes in body fat composition through changes in diet choices and regular exercise can be beneficial (A 5% weight loss has been shown to decrease markers of inflammation by 30% in obese diabetic patients and to reduce insulin levels by 20% in non-diabetic people).
Remember
- Carcinogens from charred meat can trigger chronic inflammation in the prostate
- Sugar is a primary energy source for cancer and stimulates production of insulin, which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and prostate cancer
- Cutting back on sugar intake, maintaining a healthy diet, and engaging in a regular exercise regimen can help slow the growth of cancer
Working with an Accredited Practicing Dietitian will help you identify “Healthy” and “Unhealthy” foods, while working with a qualified exercise physiologist will help you develop an exercise regimen to keep you fit.