To increase low levels of lycopene and selenium, you need to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits.
Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet is good for preventing prostate cancer (prostate cancer), which occurs frequently in men after middle age.
According to a study by the University of South Australia in Australia, men who often eat a variety of fruits and vegetables are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Eating a Mediterranean diet rich in certain micronutrients has been shown to prevent prostate cancer and speed up recovery after radiation treatment.
The research team collected blood (plasma) samples from 116 male patients diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and 132 healthy males, measured and analyzed micronutrient levels (plasma concentration). As a result, it was found that the levels of lycopene, selenium, lutein, and alpha-carotene in prostate cancer patients were much lower than those in normal people. On the other hand, sulfur, iron and calcium levels were higher.
The increase in DNA damage after exposure to radiation in prostate cancer patients was also found to be deeply related to the decrease in plasma lycopene and selenium levels. Men with lycopene levels less than 0.25 micrograms (mL) or selenium levels less than 120 μg/L had an increased risk of prostate cancer and increased risk of DNA damage from radiation, the study found.
Foods rich in lycopene include tomatoes, melons, papayas, grapes, peaches, watermelon, and cranberries. Foods rich in selenium include white meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, and nuts. The Mediterranean diet consists of fresh vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products, fish, etc., and mainly uses vegetable fats such as olive oil instead of animal fats such as butter.
“Eating foods naturally rich in lycopene and selenium is far better than taking supplements,” said study co-author Dr. Permal Deo. A Mediterranean diet is very important in preventing prostate cancer.” “We conducted this study because nutritional deficiencies associated with prostate cancer are little known,” he added.
Previous studies have shown that family history, overweight, and relatively greater height, age, and race are associated with the development of prostate cancer. Some studies suggest that excessive consumption of fatty dairy products and vitamin E deficiency may increase the risk of prostate cancer, but the evidence is unclear. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
The results of this study (Plasma Micronutrient Profile of Prostate Cancer Cases Is Altered Relative to Healthy Controls—Results of a Pilot Study in South Australia) were published in the international journal Cancers.
