Prostate Cancer Risk Connection to Immunity, Hormones, and the Microbiome

The evidence that diet and lifestyle play an important role in prostate health and disease is now clear. The clinical research indicates that a minimally processed, plant-food-based diet that is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and includes diverse sources of phytonutrients is associated with improved prostate health and reduction in prostate cancer risk, as defined by PSA levels. A Mediterranean diet and the program developed and studied under the direction of Dr. Dean Ornish are two examples of effective approaches. The mechanisms by which specific diet and lifestyle intervention improves prostate health are still under investigation. There is, however, increasing evidence that dietary components that favorably influence the composition of the intestinal microbiome have significant impact on androgen exposure to the prostate, and contribute to the reduction in both prostate cancer risk and progression.