Seed Oils and Prostate Cancer: Study Links Diet to Slower Growth

A new study from UCLA Health has found a link between diet and the progression of early-stage prostate cancer. Men who followed a diet low in omega-6 fatty acids and high in omega-3s, supplemented with fish oil, experienced a significant reduction in cancer cell growth.

Changing your diet to include less food containing seed oils high in omega-6 fats like fries and cookies could potentially slow the growth of prostate cancer in men with early-stage disease, according to a new study from UCLA Health. Researchers found that a diet low in omega-6 fatty acids and high in omega-3s, combined with fish oil supplements, significantly reduced the rate of cancer cell growth in men undergoing active surveillance. This promising finding offers a potential new avenue for men seeking to manage their condition and potentially delay or avoid more aggressive treatments like surgery or radiation.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, looked at 100 men with low-risk or favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer who were being actively monitored. Half of the men followed a special diet, while the other half continued their regular eating habits.

The men on the specialized diet received personalised coaching from a registered dietitian, learning how to swap out high seed oil foods for healthier alternatives. They were encouraged to reduce their consumption of foods high in omega-6s, like chips, cookies, mayonnaise, and other fried or processed foods, and to increase their intake of omega-3s by taking a fish oil supplement.

After a year, the men on this diet saw a 15% decrease in the rate of cancer cell growth. This contrasted sharply with the other group, who saw a 24% increase in growth. While more research is needed, this study suggests that dietary changes could play a significant role in managing early-stage prostate cancer.