According to a recently published study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, men whose diet is low in fat and red meat but high in vegetables and lean protein, and who imbibe (alcohol) in moderation, are by-and-large doing both their heart and prostate a great deal of good.

According to the researchers, a high-fat diet increased the risk of benign enlargement of the prostate (BPH) by 31 percent, while eating red meat on a daily basis increased the risk by 38 percent. Conversely, the research showed that consuming four or more servings of vegetables on a daily basis produced a 32 percent reduction in risk, while consuming high amounts of lean protein (approximately 20 percent of daily calorie intake) brought about a 15 percent risk reduction. Men who drank no more than two alcoholic beverages per day enjoyed a 38 percent decline in BPH risk.

"It is known that obesity increases the risk of BPH. The dietary pattern that is associated with obesity among men in the United States is high fat consumption. The results of this study clearly show a link between a high-fat diet and increased risk of BPH," said Alan Kristal, Dr.P.H a member of the research team that conducted the study and associate head of the Cancer Prevention Program in the Public Health Sciences Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

While the exact mechanisms underlying how excess fat intake contributes to BPH are not fully elaborated, it appears that fat tissues churn out various biological factors that increase chronic inflammation and in estrogen and male hormones (androgens).

The study revealed that as fat intake went up, small, incremental increases in BPH risk went up in step with it. By far the most substantial risk (30%+) occurred among men who got about 40 percent of their daily calories from fat (If say, a man takes in 2000 calories daily – this would translate to 800 calories from fat or 89 grams of fat).

Moderate alcohol use apparently helps reduce the risk of a man’s developing BPH by lowering circulating hormones and decreasing muscle tone of the prostate.

The study involved collecting diet, supplement and alcohol use information on 4,770 men over a seven year period. Of this group, 876 (~18.35%) developed symptomatic BPH. The researchers collected the data as part of a larger randomized clinical trial that aimed to determine whether the BPH drug finasteride would also prevent prostate cancer. The 4,775 culled from the drug study were all 55 and older and were in the placebo arm of the finasteride trial. All these men were free of BPH symptoms at the start of the study and received annual screening for signs of prostate enlargement during the ensuing seven years.

"Being able to study men in the placebo arm who weren't taking finasteride allowed us to look at factors other than finasteride to predict BPH risk," Dr. Kristal said.

Interestingly, the study did not uncover evidence that specific supplements, such as antioxidants, zinc or calcium, reduced the risk of a man developing BPH.

One caveat: The kinds of fats consumed as well as amounts can, in principle, make a difference in risk factors related to heart disease and BPH. Readers interested in learning more should read Longevity Living Longer and Healthier

Recommended additional reading: Vitamin D - New Benefits Disclosed (Cancer prevention)

Reference: FredHutchinsonCancerResearchCenter (2008, February 15). What's Good For The Heart May Be Good For The Prostate. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 19, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/02/080213102841.htm