How To Fight Prostate Cancer & Win
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Cancer
Prostate Cancer: Folate could lower your risk
One of the most common health complaints for middle-aged and older men is the prostate. According to statistics you have a one in three chance of developing a prostate problem at some stage in your life. But there is good news. Most serious prostate problems can easily be avoided.
New findings published recently, report that there is a link between consuming a greater amount of folate with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer.
These findings are promising, as the cancer registries compiled in 1999, recently revealed that 24,708 men were diagnosed as having prostate cancer and they expect the incidence of this type of cancer to carry on increasing.
34% lower risk of prostate cancer
Folate is the form of the B vitamin folic acid that naturally occurs in foods, particularly leafy green vegetables like spinach. Folic acid is essential for the proper synthesis and repair of DNA and therefore for cell division.
You will have heard folic acid commonly referred to as an essential vitamin for pregnant women to take to keep their unborn children healthy, but new findings have found that its just as important for you too.
A team of Italian researchers analysed data from 1,294 patients with diagnosed prostate cancer in comparison to 1,451 patients with growths (but not associated with tumours or cancer) who were admitted to the same hospital, in a case-control study of prostate cancer over a period of 11 years.
Researchers then evaluated over 78 different foods that had been eaten by these patients up to two years prior to their diagnosis or hospital admission.
Folate intake is found to be directly related to prostate cancer risk. Researchers found that men who include a lot of folate in their diets had a 34% lower risk of prostate cancer, compared to men whose intake of folate was considerably lower. Based on these findings the authors concluded that there is indeed a strong relationship between a high intake of folate and lower levels of cancer.
Prostate cancer: Eat your dark leafy greens
Firstly, the study concluded that a deficiency of folic acid decreases S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) which can increase the level of activation of the genes that promote cancer. The other benefit from eating more folate is that a deficiency can trigger an error in DNA synthesis that leads to breaks in the chromosomes, which in turn can lead to an increase in developing prostate cancer.
So, if you want to protect your prostate, then it seems like the best way to start is to up your intake of folate. Foods high in folate include: Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, eggs, orange juice, fortified breakfast cereals and vitamin supplements (in the form of folic acid).
The recommended dose for folic acid is 400 micrograms daily, preferably taken at mealtimes.
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