Vegan Nutrition with Dina Aronson, M.S. R.D.

Dina Aronson, MS, RD is a vegan dietitian whose specialties include chronic disease prevention, vegetarian/vegan nutrition, and lifestyle management. She is the founder and director of VeganRD.com, a nutrition consulting company. Active in many vegetarian nutrition organizations, Dina was the recipient of the American Dietetic Association's Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award in 2002.

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I am 66 year old man. Would plant based diet help me with my prostate?

A well-planned, plant-based diet certainly couldn't hurt. Studies have reported that vegetarian and vegan men have a lower risk of prostate cancer than omnivores. One study found that vegan men have lower levels of a growth factor thatąs associated with prostate cancer. In addition, research has shown that prostate cancer rates are lower in countries with lower consumption of meat and dairy products.

An comprehensive analysis of 25 studies on prostate cancer and diet was published in the September 2007 issue of the journal Nutrition Reviews. The main finding was that low-fat, plant-based diets may help prevent or slow the progression of prostate cancer.

They summarize that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may help ward off prostate cancer, while diets heavy in animal fat and dairy products (typical Western diet) may increase a man's risk of developing the disease.

Can a vegan diet cure prostate cancer? Not necessarily, but a healthy body and immune system is vital for fighting any disease, and a plant-based diet is the first step toward optimal health.

Disclaimer: The advice given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

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