Prostrate Cancer Nutrition Information

Background

Health experts believe the vitamin D is important for reducing cancer risk. Now researchers are looking at possible benefits of vitamin D for people who already have cancer. A study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer looked at the possible benefits of a dietary vitamin D supplement for men who have a rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) after being treated for prostate cancer (1) Looking at a man's blood levels of PSA after prostate cancer treatment is one way that doctors determine whether or not the treatment has been successful. An increasing PSA, after a man has completed his treatment for prostate cancer, can indicate that the treatment did not work as well as hoped and that further treatment may be needed.

What The Researchers Studied

Fifteen men with increasing PSA levels after prostate cancer treatment were given a dietary vitamin D supplement (1). The men had received only local treatments, such as prostatectomy (removal of the prostate), radiation therapy, or both. None of the men had received chemotherapy. On average, these men had been treated for their original prostate cancer diagnosis about five and a half years prior to the start of this study.

The men were instructed to take a dietary supplement of 2,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per day. There are several types of supplemental vitamin D and the type that was used in this study is called cholecalciferol (cole-eh-cal-sif-er-ol). The men in the study took the vitamin D supplement for an average of 8 months.

What The Study Found

First, the researchers found that 8 of the 15 men (53%) in the study had decreases in their blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) after taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day for an average of 8 months. In other words, it appeared that taking the vitamin D supplement helped lower the PSA levels in over half of the men in this study.

Second, the researchers found that in 14 of the 15 men (93%), their PSA doubling time increased significantly. PSA doubling time refers to the amount of time it takes for a man's PSA to double in value. For example, if a man has an initial PSA of 5 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) and this value increases to 10 ng/mL in 8 months, then the PSA doubling time is 8 months. In this study, the PSA doubling time before taking the vitamin D supplement averaged 14 months. After taking the vitamin D supplement, the PSA doubling time increased to approximately 25 months

Finally, the men in the study did not have any side effects from taking a dietary supplement of 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day. One possible negative side effect of taking extra vitamin D is having an increase in blood levels of calcium. None of the men in this study had increases in blood calcium levels from taking the vitamin D supplement.

What do these results mean?

If the men in this study are similar to other men who have a rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) after prostate cancer treatment, then this study suggests that taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day can slow down, and in some cases even reverse, these increases in PSA. This is a positive result because research shows that the more slowly a man's PSA increases after prostate cancer treatment, the lower his risk of having a recurrence of prostate cancer that needs to be treated further.

However, when considering what these results mean, it is important to consider some of the particular details and limitations of this study.

This was a very small study. With a small study, we cannot know for certain that these same results will hold true for all men with a rising PSA after prostate cancer treatment. This study did not have a placebo control. This is important because this means that the researchers could not compare the results

This was a very small study. With a small study, we cannot know for certain that these same results will hold true for all men with a rising PSA after prostate cancer treatment. This study did not have a placebo control. This is important because this means that the researchers could not compare the results in the men who received the vitamin D supplement to similar men who were not getting the vitamin D supplement. This study used what is called a “biomarker” rather than a long-term measure of success such as recurrence of prostate cancer. There is no way to know for certain that the decrease in blood levels of PSA actually will translate into lower risk of prostate cancer recurrence. However, studies in cells and animals tell us that vitamin D does appear to directly affect prostate cancer cells to make them less aggressive and less likely to grow and spread.

Despite these limitations, this study does tell us that a dietary vitamin D supplement may be of benefit for men who have been treated for prostate cancer, but who now have increases in their PSA levels. Also, it is important to note that the researchers did not see any major side effects or other problems in the men in this study.

Safe Use of Dietary Vitamin D Supplements

Before you decide to take any dietary supplement, including vitamin D, please discuss this with your doctor and your entire health care team. Some dietary supplements can interfere with medications that are used to treat cancer. For this reason, please be sure you talk to your doctor BEFORE you start taking vitamin D or any other dietary supplements. If you get the “OK” to take a vitamin D supplement, ask your doctor, nurse, or dietitian to help you pick a good quality supplement.

Mexican Tortillas with Black Beans and Salsa Fresca

• 1-1/2 cup and two Tablespoons water
• 1 cup masa harina

For the Beans:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cans black beans, drained
• 2 teaspoon dry epazote or oregano
• Kosher salt to taste

For the Salsa Fresca:

• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1/3 bunch scallions
• 1 small bunch cilantro, minced
• Kosher salt to taste

Garnish:
Shredded lettuce and grated Monterey Jack cheese (optional)

Equipment:
Tortilla press or plastic wrap covering a cutting board and a bottom of a large and heavy pot wrapped in plastic wrap

To make the tortillas:
1. Have children place masa and the one and one-half water in a mixing bowl. Mix well, adding 1 tablespoon more water as needed until mixture forms a dough. Now have the children divide the dough into 8 equal little balls. This offers a great math lesson in fractions. Start out with the dough in one large ball. Next help kids to cut it in half, then cut the halves in one half and so forth until you have 8 equal pieces. Now let the kids roll each piece into a ball. Press each ball into the tortilla maker between sheets of plastic (or place ball on covered board and press down with bottom of covered pot). Cover the remaining dough to keep moist. Continue this process until all 8 tortillas are made, lining them up individually on a cutting board or counter.

2. Heat a large skillet - cast iron if possible. Gently remove one tortilla at a time and cook in the ungreased skillet for about 20 seconds on each side - do this three times. Cover finished tortillas to keep them warm.

To make the filling:
In a medium-sized saucepan, place the oil and heat over medium-high heat. Let the children help you open the cans of beans, with parents removing the sharp lids. Let kids pour the beans (do not drain) directly from the can into the pot with oil. Add seasonings. If you don't have epazote (an herb which is available dried in Latino groceries) use dried oregano. Cook until soft, gently mashing the beans with a wooden spoon.

To make the salsa fresca:
1. Have older children help dice tomatoes and chop the scallions with supervision. Meanwhile, have little ones pluck the cilantro leaves from their stems and tear the leaves into tiny pieces, discarding stems.

2. Next have kids combine tomatoes, scallions and cilantro in a mixing bowl and combine thoroughly. Season to taste with kosher salt.

To serve:
Have each family member spoon some beans inside their tortilla, top with shredded lettuce, salsa fresca and even some grated cheese, if they so desire.

Bugs and Dirt Ingredients: Chocolate graham crackers Chocolate sprinkles (ants) Gummy worms Raisins (beetles)

Directions: Crush the graham crackers with a rolling pin. Place into a bowl then add the ants, beetles and worms to the "dirt." Place the bowl in the middle of the table with a clean sand shovel and let each child scoop up a cup of dirt and bugs . You can let them eat with their hands or spoons. This is also great for outside at the picnic table, using small paper cups or plastic bags for their treats. The real backyard critters will help clean up the mess on the grass!