A diet rich in fats and meat does not increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, according to a large, ethnically diverse study.
The researchers examined the diets of over 82,400 men aged 45 or older, from four ethnic groups (African American, Japanese Americans, Latinos, and Whites). They measured the participants’ intake of the following components:
- Different fats (including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids)
- Cholesterol
- Meat (including total, red, processed, and poultry)
- Fish
- Fats from meat
After eight years of follow-up, the study found no association between the intake of fat and meat and prostate cancer risk or advanced tumors.
A “weak protective effect” was found between the intake of omega-3 fats and prostate cancer in Whites and Latinos.
Previous studies examining high-fat and high-meat diets and prostate cancer have found conflicting results.
International Journal of Cancer September 15, 2007, Volume 121, Issue 6, Pages 1339-1345Reuters October 4, 2007