Link Between Diet and Prostate Cancer

For many dieters, the primary reason to cut calories or modify meals is to lose weight. People have been trained to associate the number on the scale with general health and to assume that so long as the pounds are falling off, any diet is good for them. But recent research indicates that what we eat to lose weight is important, particularly in regards to prostate cancer.

Going back to at least the 1970s, variations of the Atkins Diet have been intermittently popular. These diets, which limit carbohydrate intake in favor of higher protein and fat content in foods, have been effective for weight loss for thousands of people. Modern variations of these diets, including so-called “keto” diets (named after the ketones present in the bloodstream when the body is burning fat instead of carbohydrates for energy) have advised higher fat intake and lower protein intake.

Unfortunately, these diets may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Research published in the December 2017 edition of Nature Genetics indicates that a high-fat diet can be particularly dangerous for anyone already at risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Doctors have struggled to properly diagnose this dangerous disease, but this new information might help. Questions about diet are common for diagnosticians and recognizing that a man who displays some symptoms of prostate cancer and who also has a higher fat intake is at particular risk could lead to fewer missed diagnoses.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to a missed diagnosis of prostate cancer, or due to delayed treatment, please consult with an experienced lawyer. A qualified attorney can guide you to experts who can evaluate your case and help you hold the medical establishment accountable for their inaction.