Coffee Drinking and Prostate Cancer Prevention

We inherit DNA from our parents. DNA makes up our genes. Our genes control how cells behave. Less than 10% of prostate cancers are linked to these cell changes. Certain hormones may be the reason for prostate cancer.

For example, high levels of male hormones or "androgens" may be part of the reason why some men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than others. It is possible, according to some researchers, that men with high levels of a hormone called IGF-1 can be more likely to get prostate cancer than others.

Coffee

For decades, coffee has been the subject of research focused specifically on whether coffee is more healthful than harmful.

Coffee Drinking and Prostate Cancer Prevention

Scientific research on coffee, caffeine and health takes place daily worldwide at both private and public well recognized institutions and laboratories. It is a fact that coffee has two main ways of improving the health of your body: antioxidants and caffeine. Both of these substances have health and anti aging benefits. Antioxidants basically help the human body repair damage to cells caused by free radicals. These free radicals are produced as a by-product of cells through normal daily activities. The antioxidant and radical inter-action is something that goes on constantly in our bodies. The rich content of oxidants in coffee makes this beverage a positive contributor to good health. This is good news for any coffee lover. A study conducted by the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health documented the coffee intake, regular and decaffeinated, of more than 50,000 men every four years for a 10-year period from 1986 to 2006. Continuing research on this same topic is ongoing and to date supports the findings from this very extensive and long-term study.

The research also included evaluation of the cross-sectional association between coffee consumption and levels of circulating hormones in blood samples collected from men participating in the study. The researchers also analyzed different levels of cancer stages: advanced, localized, high grade, low grade, etc. Caffeine, specifically, was not found to be the key factor in any of these associations. Coffee has many biologically active compounds like antioxidants and minerals which help repair damage to cells caused by radicals and other body damaging causes. The role of an antioxidant is to help reduce oxidation reactions. Antioxidants reduce damage to body tissues. They do the opposite of oxidants. In layman's terms, antioxidants can reduce the risk of cancer and other health problems. You can really call coffee an "antioxidant power food." In other words, you can drink your coffee and promote good health at the same time. A moderate intake of coffee such as two to four cups per day does not hurt and actually helps. There is no reason to stop drinking coffee out of concern about prostate cancer risk.

Diet plays a very important role in the prevention of cancer, including prostate cancer.

It is believed, for example, that the Mediterranean diet may reduce the chances of developing prostate cancer. Selenium, green tea and coffee offer additional possibilities for disease prevention. A diet high in vegetable consumption can be beneficial. A lifestyle with low meat, high vegetable and fruit intake, regular exercise, yoga stretching, meditation and support group participation may help relieve overall tension. A lifestyle with reduced stress can influence the ways genes behave and promote cancers by switching on tumor killers and turning down tumor promoters. Lack of vitamin D and a diet high in red meat may raise a man's chances of developing prostate cancer. A common sense approach and the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet accompanied by moderate coffee drinking are ways that may prevent cancer.

Obviously, it is imperative for individuals and patients to always check with their own physician regarding any medical conditions, treatments, diagnostics, or special dietary plans that may be necessary.

In the meantime, enjoy a cup of Spanish Espresso!

Coffee Drinking and Prostate Cancer Prevention

Coffee, Tea, Caffeine and Brain Cancer Risk

The information in this column is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice or recommendations by the author. Please consult with your physician before making any lifestyle or medication changes, or if you have any other concerns regarding your health.

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Coffee and tea are widely enjoyed around the world, and both have been the subject of numerous health claims (most of them unproven). Tea, and green tea in particular, has been the focus of extensive research, with many prior studies suggesting that tea may improve cardiovascular health and, to a much lesser extent, may decrease the risk of some cancers. Much of the published research regarding coffee has, on the other hand, been focused on trying to disprove purported links between coffee consumption and a potential increase in the risk of some cancers. (Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of such research has not identified a strong link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of cancer.)

The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study is a huge ongoing prospective multinational public health study, and several of this enormous study's preliminary results have already been published. The EPIC study is focused on potential links between diet, nutritional status, lifestyle, and environmental factors and the incidence of cancer (among other chronic diseases). (EPIC is one of the largest studies of diet and health ever undertaken, and has already recruited 520,000 research volunteers in Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.) Now, a new update from this historic public health study suggests that increased coffee and tea consumption may be associated with a decreased incidence of malignant brain tumors. This new update from the EPIC study appears in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Following an average duration of follow-up of nearly 9 years, 588 new cases of brain tumors were diagnosed among the EPIC research volunteers. Gliomas, the most common and most aggressive type of brain tumors that occur in adults, were found to be 34 percent less common among people who drank at least 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) of coffee or tea per day. (Although not statistically significant, this association was also noted to be stronger in men, with a 41 percent lower risk of gliomas in men, as compared to a 26 percent reduction in glioma incidence in women.)

Although it is not clear what causes gliomas of the brain, prior public health studies have at least suggested a link between glioma brain tumors and chronic occupational exposure to high-intensity electrical and magnetic fields, and to rubber and plastics manufacturing. (As I discuss in "A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, there is also some data linking prolonged cell phone use with an increased incidence of gliomas and other brain tumors.)

Other smaller public health studies have also identified an apparent link between increased caffeine intake and a decreased incidence of gliomas, and there is laboratory evidence available suggesting that caffeine may reduce the growth of malignant glioma cells growing in culture dishes. Thus, these new findings from the giant EPIC study further suggest the possibility that coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages might be able to reduce the risk of gliomas of the brain.

For a groundbreaking overview of cancer risks, and evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk of developing cancer, order your copy of my new book, "A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race," from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Vroman's Bookstore, and other fine bookstores!

Coffee, Tea, Caffeine and Brain Cancer Risk