Nutrition

Here’s the May presentation slides referred to in the newsletter.  Nutrition and Prostate CancerNutrition and Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer

    The goal of radiation oncologist is to have the clearest view of the treatment field possible. This sometimes means limiting foods in the diet that are naturally gas-producing or foods that are very high in fiber. Since these foods are normally really good for you the information is confusing to most people. Here are some tips/guidelines:· Everyone has gas in the digestive tract. It is a normal function.

· Everyone processes foods differently, if you are aware of certain foods that cause you to have more gas then limit those foods.· Gas comes from two main sources: swallowed air and normal breakdown of certain foods by harmless bacteria naturally in the large intestine. · Foods that may cause gas include:

  • All beans except green beans.
  • vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, raw cucumbers, raw green bell pepper, cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, and asparagus
  • fruits, such as pears, apples with skin, and peaches (fresh)
  • whole grains, such as whole wheat and bran cereals
  • soft drinks (due to carbonation producing extra air)
  • milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream.
  • foods containing sorbitol, such aas dietic foods and sugar free candies and gums.
  • During radiation you may want to limit the foods above. Two servings of milk products per day are okay (try to choose low fat versions).
    · Beano, an over the counter digestive aid, contains the sugar-digesting enzyme that the body lacks to digest the sugar in beans and many vegetables. Taking this before meals will limit gas. 1 Beano tablet per each ½ cup of food. · If you normally eat all the foods above without gas then you can take Beano and continue eating them in normal portions.· Eating a lot of fatty foods can cause bloating and discomfort because fat delays stomach emptying, allowing gas to build up. These problems can be avoided by choosing lower fat foods.


Why Does Nutrition Matter? Get this 40 page pdf booklet > nutrition_guide.pdf from the ProstateCancerFoundation

How reliable are the data for nutritional strategies in prostate cancer? Are there foods or nutrients that might prevent prostate cancer — or even prevent or delay a recurrence of the disease? How do you get the most benefit from each vitamin and mineral? What should you do now? The Nutrition and Prostate Cancer guide will summarize the latest information and help you navigate through the information available about various nutritional approaches so that you can create a strategy that’s right for you. Remember: if the cancer is detected at the earliest stages, over half of men diagnosed will live for more than 15 years. In other words, your diagnosis of prostate cancer is just the beginning of your journey, not the end. And there might be some relatively simple things that you can do to maximize your body’s ability to fight this disease.

A diagnosis of prostate cancer is the beginning of your journey, not the end.