High fiber diet halts the progression and spread of prostate cancer

Friday, January 25, 2013 by: John Phillip
Tags: high fiber diet, prostate cancer, prevention

(NaturalNews) The sobering fact is that one in six men will be affected by prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime, as nearly a quarter of a million are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Although many men can live a normal lifespan as long as the disease remains localized, the cancer can become aggressive as it spreads to other organs and ranks as the second leading type of cancer killer. A number of lifestyle factors including poor diet and lack of exercise cause malignant cells to leave the prostate and travel to remote parts of the body. Any natural intervention that prevents the deadly spread of tumor cells could help save the lives of many thousands of men each year.

A research team from the University of Colorado Cancer Center has published the result of their study in the journal, Cancer Prevention Research that explains how a high-fiber diet may have the clinical potential to control the progression of prostate cancer in patients diagnosed in early stages of the disease. Scientists observed that the incidence of prostate cancer is similar among Asian and Western societies, yet the rate of disease progression is much higher in Western men, leading to a significantly increased death rate among this population.

IP6 from a high-fiber diet halts tumor vessel formation to halt prostate cancer growth

Researchers developed a mouse model to test the influence of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a major component of high-fiber diets, on the progression of prostate cancer tumors and subsequent malignant growth. Mice with existing prostate cancer were divided into two groups. The first group was fed a standard diet with the addition of IP6, while the second group received the same diet and served as a control group.

The lead study author, Dr. Komal Raina noted "The study's results were really rather profound. We saw dramatically reduced tumor volumes, primarily due to the anti-angiogenic effects of IP6." Scientists determined that the bioactive compound kept prostate tumors from making the new blood vessels they require to supply themselves with energy. Without this energy, prostate cancer can't grow. Additionally, they found that the cancerous tumor cells metabolized glucose at a much slower rate, inhibiting their ability to grow from their preferred fuel source.

Dr. Raina concluded "Researchers have long been looking for genetic variations between Asian and Western peoples that could explain the difference in prostate cancer progression rates, but now it seems as if the difference may not be genetic but dietary. Asian cultures get IP6 whereas Western cultures generally do not." Boost your natural intake of IP6 and fiber by adding six to ten servings of fresh vegetables, fruit and legumes to your daily diet to significantly lower the risk of prostate cancer and most other forms of cancer.

Sources for this article include:

http://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org/content/6/1/40
http://www.nutraingredients.com
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/uocd-hfd010913.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130109162032.htm

About the author:
John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.