PROSTATE: MILK AND LATICINI INCREASE THE RISK OF CANCER
Eating too often meat and dairy products may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. This suggests a study published in the medical journal Annals of Internal Medicine which concluded that a diet rich in these foods raises levels of the hormone IGF-1 (insulin growth factor, type 1) which promotes cell growth and associated with an increased risk of developing certain cancers, including that of the prostate.
Hormone effects
the research was conducted by researchers at Oxford University who have examined the results of 12 previous studies, a total of about 9 thousand men involved: 3700 and 5200 with cancer of the prostate is not ill, served as a control group. The researchers found that men with high blood levels of IGF-1 were up to 40 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than those with low levels. Research coordinator, Andrew Roddam, points out that it is not yet clear to what extent the power influence the levels of IGF-1, but it seems that its levels can be up to 15 percent higher in people who eat much meat and many dairy products.
POWER
‘It has become apparent for some time that diet plays an important role in the development of prostate cancer – confirms Professor Francesco Rocco, director of the Urological Clinic of the University of Milan -. Observations made in China are very explicit in this regard. Indeed it was seen that those who live in rural areas, cases of prostate cancer are much less than those seen in people living in industrialized cities like Beijing. Not only that, several studies have shown that the Chinese countryside who immigrate to the USA, after a generation reached the same incidence of prostate cancer of white Americans. The reason for this phenomenon lies mainly in different eating habits.
Dietary guidelines
among the foods considered enemies of the prostate, and not only include those rich in saturated fats, including red meat and most dairy products. But several studies have shown that there are protective foods. “A lower rate of prostate cancer was found in those who consumed both green tea and a diet high in soy, probably by the action of so-called phytoestrogens that block the growth of prostate cells. Protective effects on the prostate have been highlighted in some vegetables, particularly in cruciferous and tomatoes rich in lycopene, an antioxidant ‘indicates Rocco. However, one should remember that prostate cancer is a multifactorial disease: has the alimentation, but also include age (incidence and mortality increase with the years) and familiarity (due to a genetic predisposition).