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Broccoli May Cut Prostate Cancer Risk
July 1, 2008 -- Men who eat broccoli just a few times a week may have a lower prostate cancer risk than men who don't, new research suggests.
Animal studies have long suggested that broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables help protect against prostate cancer. The new research suggests the same thing in humans, albeit indirectly.
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Researchers measured changes in gene expression in human prostate tissue associated with eating a broccoli-rich diet.
Compared to men who ate peas four times a week, those who ate four weekly servings of broccoli for a year showed more changes in gene expression suggestive of increased protection against prostate cancer.
The findings appear in the July 2 online issue of the journal PLoS ONE.
"It is important to stress that we did not directly measure cancer incidence," Richard F. Mithen, PhD, of the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, England, tells WebMD. "But the gene changes we saw were consistent with a reduction in prostate cancer risk."
Diet Changes Genes
The study is not the first to suggest that changes in diet can change your genes.
Earlier this month, nutrition researcher Dean Ornish, MD, and colleagues from the University of California, San Francisco reported that men with low-risk prostate cancer showed profound changes in gene expression when they ate a low-fat diet that was high in fruits and vegetables.
They found that more than 500 genes were affected, with genes associated with beneficial effects becoming more active and genes with cancer-promoting properties becoming less active.
The study included 13 men who ate four 3.5 ounce-servings of broccoli a week for a year and eight men who ate the same amount of peas.
Prostate tissue samples were collected before the start of the trial and then after six and 12 months on the broccoli- or pea-intervention diets.
As with the California study, men who regularly ate broccoli showed more changes in gene expression suggestive of a reduced risk of cancer.
"These were extensive changes," Mithen says. "Basically, hundreds of genes changed expression. We were quite surprised by this finding."
Why Not Peas?
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have compounds known as glucosinolates. Peas do not.
Glucosinolates convert to other compounds known as isothiocyanates, which are widely believed to have tumor-suppressing activities.
Studies suggest that about half the population carries a gene called GSTM1, which may make these compounds even more protective.
Study participants who expressed the gene showed the most beneficial gene changes after eating broccoli.
But Mithen says the finding does not mean that only 50% of people derive a benefit from broccoli.
"It may mean that people without the gene need to eat a bit more broccoli to get the same benefits," he says. "But the good news is that nobody has to eat huge amounts. A few portions a week seems to make a big difference."
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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