Men who have been treated for prostate cancer may lower their risk of premature death by more often replacing meat and dairy products with olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who analyzed data from nearly 5,000 patients. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
The researchers followed 4,884 men with localized prostate cancer for 30 years, for an average of about 13 years. During that time, 3,040 participants died, including 803 deaths from cardiovascular disease.
Men who obtained more calories from animal fats and foods high in saturated fat had a 24% higher risk of death from any cause compared with those who consumed less of these foods. The higher mortality was associated not so much with prostate cancer itself as with cardiovascular disease and other causes.
The most notable effect was observed when animal fats were replaced with plant-based fats.
“If 10% of daily calories from animal fats were replaced with plant-based fats, the risk of death over the following 10 years was 16% lower. Replacing 5% of calories from saturated fats with fats found in olive and avocado oils was associated with a 20% reduction in the risk of death,” the researchers explained.
The researchers emphasize that the findings show an association but do not prove that dietary changes themselves directly extend life. In the study, men who consumed more animal fats were also more likely to smoke, exercise less, have a higher body weight and have diabetes.
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