Hey guys, there are about a gazillion reasons to achieve and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). Your BMI tells you the proportion of fat you’re carrying in relation to your height and weight. For adults, normal BMI ranges from 18.5 – 24.9, while anything from 30 on up is considered obesity. Chances are, preventing prostate cancer (PCa) isn’t high on your list of reasons to keep your BMI below 30. In fact, the health of your prostate gland may be at the bottom of what motivates you to eat a healthy diet and exercise.

However, a growing body of research points to a diet high in fat as a trigger factor for developing PCa, and for promoting its progression into more aggressive disease. This is especially so for animal fat and saturated fats, and for eating patterns in which saturated fats are accompanied by dairy calcium.

Mechanisms of fat on prostate cells

How does a high-fat diet impact prostate cells in ways that put them at risk for cancer? There are two primary mechanisms at the molecular level that are implicated in PCa risk and progression.

1. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) – healthy growth in tissues and bones is largely regulated by a substance called growth factor (GF). GF is managed by a hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF) which acts as a signaling agent along the GF pathway. As the body digests dietary fats, it breaks them down into fatty acids that circulate in the blood. High-fat diets that convert into trans fatty acids disrupt the IGF regulation process in ways that promote unhealthy cell development and proliferation. Bingo! This increases cancer risk in general.
2. Androgen signaling – this biological pathway is connected specifically with PCa risk. A man’s body produces androgens (male hormones), particularly testosterone. Prostate cells have receptors for androgens, which are essential for healthy prostate development. However, when the IGF signaling is disrupted, not only do androgen and testosterone levels increase, the androgen receptors are “upregulated” so prostate cell activity is overstimulated. On the flip side, research has demonstrated that diets low in total and saturated fat offset this pathway, which may help explain why the Mediterranean and DASH diets seem to reduce PCa risk.

All fats are not created equal

It’s important to understand that a) our bodies need a certain amount of fat to be converted to energy, and b) some fats are worse than others. All fats are not created equal. According to DiSebastiano, et al., “… an evaluation of total dietary fat intake may miss important relationships between specific types of dietary fat intake and prostate cancer development.”^[i]

Research has shown that saturated fat and trans fatty acids are associated with PCa development. Consider the Mediterranean and DASH diets mentioned earlier. They are low in animal and saturated fats, so they are less likely to trigger imbalances in the GF pathway. This is because they are higher in polyunsaturated fats, and components like fatty fish and vegetable oils are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, a combination that helps avoid malignant cell development and changes in the androgen signaling pathway. Believe it or not, omega-3 fatty acids appear to help defend the body against PCa.

The bottom line is, diets low in fat are a lifestyle value-added at any point in prostate cancer risk:

• If you don’t have PCa, they offer some protection against developing it.
• If you are diagnosed with PCa, they may help to keep it from mutating into more dangerous disease.
• If you were treated for PCa, they may serve to reduce the risk of recurrence.

So, if you’re looking for one more reason to reduce fat in your diet, and/or convert to healthier fats, think of your prostate gland. Maybe it’s time to bump it up to a higher position on the list.

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

[i] Di Sebastiano KM, Mourtzakis M. The role of dietary fat throughout the prostate cancer trajectory. Nutrients. 2014 Dec 22;6(12):6095-109.