Second only to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the leading cancer among American males. This disease will affect an average of every 1 in 7 men and his family, according to the American Cancer Society. Last year, there were approximately 220,800 new cases diagnosed. Though age is one of the biggest risk factors, diet and lifestyle choices may also play a role. In fact, a new study points to the notion that consuming a clean food diet is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of prostate cancer among men.
Plant-Based Diet Found to Curb Risk of Prostate Cancer
Many leading medical organizations and doctors in the field have advised a healthy diet and regular physical activity as good prevention practices for prostate cancer for some time now. However, a January study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has found a strong link between plant-based diets and a lower risk of prostate cancer. The article, "Are strict vegetarians protected against prostate cancer?" sought to assess and analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk. The 26,346 male participants of the Adventist Health Study-2 that took part were in groups nonvegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, vegan or semi-vegetarian, and monitored for prostate cancer incidence. The vegan diet was followed by approximately 8 percent of study participants. Participants on the plant-based diet – that's to say the vegan one – displayed "a statistically significant protective association with prostate cancer risk."
Protective Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
A follow-up article in the Huffington Post reported that study scientists found the plant-based, or vegan diet to not only reduce the risk of prostate cancer, but to be "significantly" more protective in comparison to diets that consisted of meat, dairy and fish. It was concluded that these protective benefits came from several different elements of the plant-based diet. The study exemplified that the lack of animal protein and saturated fats in those who ate strictly raw, whole foods played an important role. An increased consumption of anti-inflammatory antioxidants and high levels of fiber from plant-based diets are also believed to have led toward stronger health. Continued research has also gone into the naturally occurring chemical in plants – phytochemicals – in recent years. According to the source, they are believed to contain anti-cancer properties and those following a predominantly raw, plant-based diet thought to consume many of these plant chemicals are often found to be in better health.
Cancer and the SAD Diet
These study findings are in line with what God has revealed from the very beginning. As humans, we are to properly fuel and nourish the body we have been given. Unfortunately however, far too many in the Western world have strayed from the path and fallen victim to the Standard American Diet (SAD) diet. The link between this diet of toxic, processed and unnatural foods and cancer is quite clear, according to "My Hallelujah Diet," written by Dr. George Malkmus. When God created man in His own image, the intention was that the body would be fed by the fruits of the earth. Whole, natural and raw plant foods are those that will provide the most essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals to keep our bodies healthy, nourished and – hopefully – cancer-free. Research has shown that a diet of plant-based, raw whole foods can help to manage and prevent many cancers.
