While sexual health is very important to most healthy men, it is the number one concern for men fighting prostate cancer. Typically, the cause of a prostate cancer patients' loss of sexual performance is physical/structural damage due to surgery or radiation. The loss of sex drive is a common side effect of prolonged hormone ablation therapy (the absence of testosterone in the body). Although these treatments may be successful at controlling prostate cancer, even rendering some patients cancer-free, the emotional and physical cost is devastating to many men.

The good news is that diet and supplements can improve a patient's quality of life. In addition, more doctors and cancer programs are beginning to offer new integrated treatments that work and have fewer side effects. As an example, Dr. Doug Kelly, a radiation oncologist, spearheads an innovative program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, OK, that incorporates nutrition in addition to high dose brachytherapy(HDR). "After treating more than 500 men since 1997, we have had only a few recurrences," Dr. Kelly said. "The majority of men regain their sexual drive and function after treatment. Nutrition plays an important role in controlling prostate cancer and maintaining quality of life."

Diet Makes a Difference
Making a commitment to gradually include more vegetables is the first step. Colorful vegetables such as spinach, beets, winter squash, asparagus, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes and dark green lettuces contain carotenoids, which have a preferred lower glycemic index, are loaded with fiber and have cancer-fighting properties.

These powerfully pigmented vegetables also act as antioxidants, protecting healthy cells from chemotherapy and radiation. Carotenoids are fat soluble, so more will be absorbed when eaten with a meal or snack containing some healthy fat.

Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower are known for their cancer-fighting phytochemicals. This group of plant food also helps detoxify the body.

Onions and garlic are powerhouses that contain substances like quercetin, allicin, S-allyl cysteine and selenium. These are important for targeting prostate cancer cells and helping with detoxification.

Adequate protein is important for a healthy immune response to cancer and to rebuild any damaged tissue after surgery or treatment. American men traditionally eat too much protein, so a "moderation approach" must be adopted in some cases. Organic soy protein is a preferred source, followed by deep water ocean fish, turkey, beans, dried peas and lentils, nuts and seeds-especially pumpkin seeds-eggs, and chicken.

Whole grains are wonderful sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For variety consider brown rice, oats, barley, millet, amaranth, buckwheat and rye. High fiber grains are utilized best when the colon is maintained with adequate microflora or friendly bacteria.

Colorful berries contain a powerful agent, ellagic acid, which triggers apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. This "self-destruction" mechanism is found in raspberries, boysenberries, strawberries, dark cherries, blueberries, cranberries and blackberries.

Green tea has been shown to prevent and prolong remission in cancer patients. Studies show that drinking green tea daily inhibits cell division and metastasis. The polyphenolic compounds found in green tea such as catechin and epicatechin have been found to act as antioxidants and immune stimulants. Decaffeinated tea does not appear to have the same cancer fighting abilities.

All cells in the body, even immune cells, need healthy fats and oils. Although studies show that a high-fat diet increases the risk for prostate cancer, patients must have some fat to function at their best. Fat is the preferred fuel of muscle and it is a critical component of cell membranes. Fish oil, olive oil, flax oil and even real butter in moderation are recommended.

Helpful Supplements
Taking supplements requires time, effort and money but they payoff in the long run. Most men respond well to a "vacation approach." This approach allows men to take their supplements as recommended, Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday they don't take any supplements at all. This method promotes a better attitude towards pill taking.

In terms of antioxidants and cancer therapy, they will not reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation. Several human studies have showed that antioxidants dramatically improved tumor kill from pro-oxidative chemotherapy and radiation, while protecting healthy tissue from damage.

Every patient has a biologically unique cancer and, therefore, individual counseling is best. A general list of supplements for prostate cancer patients may include multivitamin/minerals, vitamin E succinate, vitamin C, selenomethionine, zinc, lycopene, fish oil (EPA), milk thistle extract, shark liver oil (before and during radiation treatment) and a mix of antioxidants including CoQ10, lipoic acid, grape seed extract and bioflavonoids.

Consider Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is frequently used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In fact, studies show it to be more effective than Proscar, a drug approved to treat BPH.

The primary therapeutic action of saw palmetto is to inhibit the conversion of good testosterone to bad testosterone in the prostate. Bad testosterone, or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), stimulates cells to multiply excessively, while good testosterone gives men their sex drive.

Saw palmetto is also thought to help with the subsequent elimination of DHT and is reported to be completely safe with no significant side effects.

Avoid Risky Supplements
Iron, while an essential nutrient, has been demonstrated to increase the risk of cancer when in excess. Non-heme iron is a pro-oxidant and is mutagenic and carcinogenic. It can maintain the growth of cancer cells and in some cases accelerate growth of new cancer cells. Iron deficiency in cancer is considered anemia of chronic disease, a functional defense mechanism implemented by the body to reduce circulating iron. Supplementation should be given in the form of heme iron only after serum ferritin indicates a true deficiency.

DHEA supplementation can increase the amount of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. Some clinicians feel that supplementation to physiological levels is safe and beneficial, however, this approach is quite controversial.

Androgens and certain androgen derivatives are called anabolic steroids. They are often used by athletes to increase muscle mass and strength. They stimulate the growth of skeletal muscle, as well as the sex tissues of the reproductive system. Prostate cancer cells could be stimulated, therefore, anabolic steroids should be avoided.

Avoid Risky Foods & Lifestyles
Studies have shown that nutritional factors have an influence on prostate cancer. The focus of a prostate cancer patient's diet is to include more cancer-fighting foods, while decreasing the amount of risky foods.

Dairy products have been shown to greatly increase the risk of prostate cancer and the reason is twofold. Dairy products such as milk, ice cream and cheese may suppress blood levels of vitamin D, which is thought to prevent the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Cow's milk and the products made from it also contain growth hormones, both naturally and added synthetically by the farmer. Growth hormones signal cells to grow, which is great for a baby cow but not so great for a man with dormant prostate cancer cells.

White sugar and corn syrup comprise an average of 25% of our calories. These empty calories not only alter pH, promote yeast infections, encourage insulin resistance and rot our teeth, but they give cancer cells their favorite fuel in abundance-glucose. Sweet foods, especially processed desserts and soda, should be limited. In the place of sweet foods, fresh fruit can serve as a sweet treat. Additionally, stevia can be used as a natural herbal "sweetener."

Summary
Men with prostate cancer can have an excellent quality of life. It begins with learning about options and choosing a treatment plan that suits their lifestyle. It continues with education about healthy diet and lifestyle including vitamins, minerals, food extracts, herbs and other nutrients. With this approach, men have the greatest chance of maintaining their vitality and an active sex life.

About the author
Rebecca Wright, R.D., L.D., is a nutrition specialist at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America located in Tulsa, OK. She has extensive clinical experience in using aggressive nutrition as adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment. She can be reached at becky.wright@ctcoftulsa.com.