Diet & Lifestyle tips for prostate cancer

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Suggested Vitamins and Supplements

Incorporate these items in your daily diet:

Soy products – soy milk or powder, or genistein. *Inhibits prostate cancer growth and capacity to spread elsewhere (metastasize). Or you may take soy isoflavone tablets, 100-135 mg – one tablet 2 times daily.
Green Tea – 2-3 cups per day (or capsules ok). *Boosts immune system and induces prostate cancer programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Pomegranate juice – 8 oz. daily. *An antioxidant that delays rise in PSA (doubling time indicating tumor growth), as well as helping promote penile blood flow to reduce erectile dysfunction.
Red Grapes or concentrate (Concord grape juice) – eat daily to protect against bladder dysfunction and potentially improve urinary symptoms.
Lycopenes – prefer through tomato food sources (juice, sauces, pizza, etc.) but can be taken in pill form (30mg-45mg daily). *Can reduce amount of cancer cells in body.
Vitamin C – 500mg. *Antioxidant that enhances natural immunity against cancers.
Vitamin D – 2000-4000 i.u. daily, in cholecalciferol form.
Vitamin E – 50-200 i.u. (preferably a combination of gamma and alpha tocopherol). *Reduces prostate cancer related deaths (upwards of 40%).
Calcium Citrate or carbonate - 400mg at dinner, 400mg at bedtime (coral calcium OK). *Contributes to bone health.
Fish Oil Omega 3 (with or without rosemary) – 2000mg two times daily. *Inhibits inflammatory response in body thereby reducing increased prostate cancer cellular growth and decreasing potential for cancer to metastasize.
** NOTE: bottle should be refrigerated after opening.
Melatonin – 3-6mg taken nightly if having trouble sleeping. *An antioxidant that potentially increases longer survival from cancer and potentially reduces side effects of treatment related to stress, gastrointestinal and renal (kidney).
Saw Palmetto extract 300mg once or twice daily (unless taking a “prostate formula” multivitamin supplement). *Prevents conversion of testosterone into DHT, thereby potentially reducing risk of developing prostate cancer.
Selenium - 200mcg daily. *Decreases prostate cancer related deaths.
Zinc – 50-100mg daily. *Protective to normal cells and increases prostate cancer cell death.
Indole-3-Carbinol – 200-400mg daily. *An anti-cancer compound found in cruciferous vegetables that decreases the risk of developing cancer.
Quercetin – may be taken per instructions (found in health food stores) – For general prostate health. You may also use a combination product with Chrysin and Saw Palmetto called Sports One Chrysin XS. *Reduces expression of p53, thereby inhibiting growth of prostate cancer (angiogenesis).
Cernitin- 2-4 tablets daily for general prostate health. *Anti-inflammatory properties and used for chronic prostatitis symptoms.
Glutamine – 2 grams with each meal and at bedtime.
*Contributes to muscle strength while on hormones.
Glucosamine – 1500mg daily or follow directions on specific brand; (NOT to be combined with chondroitin!). *Helps with joint/bone strength while on hormones. **Chondroitin can potentially cause increased recurrence rates and progression of cancer.

There are a number of prostate antioxidant formulas found in most pharmacies or health food stores, which may contain the majority of these supplements. They might be easier to take than separate doses of each item above. The ones highlighted are the most important to take.

Exercise on a regular basis. Try for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. This can include walking, jogging, swimming, exercise equipment, light weights, etc. Read more...

Find a form of stress management that works for you. Try to perform some type of meditation or yoga for 20 minutes once or twice daily for stress relief. Seek the support of local networking groups such as Man to Man (offered through The American Cancer Society), Us TOO!, and The Wellness Community.

This information is provided by radiation oncologist and prostate cancer specialist Michael Dattoli, M.D., Physician-in-Chief at the Dattoli Cancer Center and Brachytherapy Institute located in Sarasota, Florida. For more information, visit www.dattoli.com

Resources for Prostate Nutrition

A comprehensive source of information on diet guidelines for prostate cancer patients is the publication, Eating Your Way to Better Health: The Prostate Forum Nutrition Guide compiled by Charles E. Myers, Jr., MD, Sara Sgarlat Steck, RT, and Rose Sgarlat Myers, PT, PhD. For more information, visit the Prostate Forum website at http://www.prostateforum.com/nutrition.htm

200 recipes, from snacks and sandwiches to main dishes and desserts can be found in Eat to Beat Prostate Cancer Cookbook, by David Ricketts, a new publication offering a wonderful array of delicious menu ideas that are designed to enhance prostate health. Sample recipes and more can be found at www.prostatecancercookbook.com