4 Foods that Help Fight Prostate Cancer
Results from a study were released earlier this week and they couldn’t be more in keeping with this week’s celebration of National Men’s Health. The study reported that pomegranates, broccoli, green tea and turmeric are four foods that have been scientifically proven to possess prostate cancer fighting properties. Prostate cancer afflicts far too many men in our culture, and is diagnosed when men display higher blood-PSA levels (the protein produced by prostate cells).
A team of British researchers conducted a six month long study involving two groups of male patients that have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. One group received a capsule every day containing ingredients from the four foods listed above, while the other group received a placebo pill. After six months, the results revealed that “PSA levels were 63% lower among those taking capsules containing essence of pomegranate, turmeric, green tea and broccoli compared to those in the placebo group” (Retrieved from the website Medical News Today).
A 63% decrease in PSA levels of those already diagnosed with prostate cancer is a highly significant number and leads many to wonder: what exactly are these seemingly miracle health benefits of these four foods?
Pomegranates
Though many associate pomegranates with a fruit that require a lot of work to eat, it is a fruit that is filled with powerful antioxidants, substances that eliminates cancer causing free radicals. Pomegranates and pomegranate juice have been proven to lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol and improve blood flow to the heart in people with coronary heart disease. Antioxidants in this fruit have been proven to suppress the growth and increase the death rate of prostate cancer cells.
Broccoli
Broccoli contains an enzyme called myrosinase which can significantly decrease your risk of developing cancer. However, this enzyme can be easily destroyed when cooking so it is important to only lightly steam the vegetable. Myrosinase is also a key enzyme in the formation of sulforaphane, a compound which prevents joint destruction in osteoarthritis. This compound may also prevent or treat breast cancer and slow the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Green Tea
The health benefits of green tea come from epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), green tea’s main component. EGCG regulates and inhibits the growth of cancer cells. People who regularly drink green tea have a lower risk of stroke and heart disease, better memory function and spatial awareness, and a lower risk of functional disability in the elderly.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin, a substance that has been shown to suppress a “cell signaling pathway” that aids in the growth of head and neck cancers. Also, those who eat frequent meals containing spices such as turmeric and cinnamon display less negative responses to high fat meals, meaning that the levels of fat in their blood are not as high.
Each of these foods is a healthy addition to everyone’s daily food intake. However, if you are at risk for developing prostate cancer, you should definitely consider incorporating these foods into your meals on a daily basis.
Reference: UK scientists show super foods proven to beat prostate cancer. Cambridge University Hospitals. (2013, June 3).
Your turn to take action: How will you include these cancer fighting foods into your daily eating habits?
Eating real foods is always the best choice and the 4 you have included here today are a part of my healthy eating strategy. I also have eliminated all wheat, grain and gluten as I am gluten sensitive. Those changes have been remarkable in how I feel, think and my energy. Thanks for sharing. Best Regards, Wendy http://wendybottrell.com UBC
Glad to hear you have found what foods trouble you, and how good you feel once you’ve eliminated them. Here’s to staying healthy!
Hi Bonnie- I plan on adding Termeric to our meals. We regularly each the others:-) What we put in our bodies can be our medicine or our poison. Thanks for the work you do!
You are right Dana. What we put in our bodies is certainly our medicine or our poison…I like how you put that. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the tips! 😀
My pleasure.