How a vegan diet slows spread of prostate cancer

Recently I was consulting with a gentleman newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. While his cancer was diagnosed as “early stage” (doctors put him on “active surveillance”) he wanted more facts on how changing his eating habits could help slow the progression of cancer. When I shared with him data on how a vegan diet can reverse the progression and blood markers for prostate cancer he was intrigued but skeptical. As most cancer patients are when they hear news like this since these scientific studies are not shared in mainstream news outlets as commonly as that shiny new drug that is the cure for cancer (so we think…cancer cells continue to outsmart us).

As I discussed the concepts behind Dr. Dean Ornish’s vegan diet protocol in early-stage prostate cancer patients, it began to click with him that making changes soon after his diagnosis was key.

Dr. Dean Ornish’s Vegan Diet in Prostate Cancer Patients

In the study, 93 men with early stage, biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer were enrolled in the trial
Early-stage prostate cancer is based on lab results. Typically it’s a prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of 4 – 10 ng/mL and a Gleason Score < 7 (PSA is a protein in blood that indicates the presence of prostate cancer. The higher the levels, the more advanced the prostate cancer)
Half of the men went on a vegan diet and after 1 year their PSA levels significantly decreased
Men in the comparison group who did not go vegan saw an increase in their PSA levels. Six of the 43 men had to undergo standard treatment (e.g. surgery – prostatectomy, radiation or chemotherapy) because of their increased PSA levels.

The scientists in this study noted that the more intense the lifestyle change, the more effect it had on the PSA lowering.

Takeaway

Men on a vegan diet saw a decrease in their PSA levels and avoided standard prostate cancer treatment (e.g. surgical removal of the prostate, chemotherapy, and radiation). What exactly did they do?

A diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, supplemented with soy, vitamins and minerals, saw a decreased in their PSA levels.
These men were also asked to do moderately intense exercise, yoga/meditation, and participate in a weekly support group. (Reference: Ornish D, et al. Intensive lifestyle changes may affect the progression of prostate cancer. J Urol. 2005;174:1065)

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