Monthly Archive for April, 2011

This is part of our ongoing The Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging spotlight. Each week, we will be posting some of the great information that’s packed into our book, The Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging.

Today’s topic:
Prostate Health: Don’t Overcook Meat

When meat is cooked at very high temperatures in order to make it “well done” or “very well done” the cooking process generates potentially carcinogenic hydrocarbons within the meat. The results of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial of the US National Cancer Institute, published recently in Cancer Research show clearly that eating any overcooked meat, even just once a week, directly harms the human prostate.²³ “Lighten up” your meat and live more happily, longer.

A number of nutritional interventions are available that have strong research supporting their ability to support prostate health. Certain vitamins, minerals and herbs such as saw palmetto and African prune, as well as phytochemicals such as ß-sitosterol provide potent options for promoting healthy prostate function and ensuring that prostatic cells are happy and healthy.

Next Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging topic:
Rejuvenate Your Mind and Body with Adaptogens

References:
23. Cross AJ, Peters U, Kirsh VA, Andriole GL, Reding D, Hayes RB, Sinha R. A prospective study of meat and meat mutagens and prostate cancer risk. Cancer Res 2005;65:11779-11784.

This is part of our ongoing The Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging spotlight. Each week, we will be posting some of the great information that’s packed into our book, The Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging.

Today’s topic:
Prostate Health: Don’t Be Afraid of Calcium

A small “calcium scare” was started a few years ago by a single report that “high” calcium intake might be detrimental to prostate health.²⁰ However, in that report, a “high” calcium intake was 50% of the RDA. The good news – this false alarm has been contradicted conclusively by the findings of 2 subsequent studies published recently which showed that calcium intake is in fact not detrimental to prostate health.^21,22 Eat your calcium and vitamin D, and get some sun – they’re good for you!

Next Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging topic:
Prostate Health: Don’t Overcook Meat

References:
20. Chan JM, Stampfer MJ, Ma J, Gann PH, Gaziano JM, Giovannucci EL. Dairy products, calcium, and prostate cancer risk in the Physicians’ Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;74:549-554.
21. Baron JA, Beach M, Wallace K, Grau MV, Sandler RS, Mandel JS, Heber D, Greenberg ER. Risk of prostate cancer in a randomized clinical trial of calcium supplementation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14:586-589.
22. Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. A prospective study of calcium intake and incident and fatal prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15:203-210.

This is part of our ongoing The Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging spotlight. Each week, we will be posting some of the great information that’s packed into our book, The Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging.

Today’s topic:
Get Out Once in a While for Prostate Health

Some sunlight is good for you. By increasing your natural production of vitamin D, sunlight contributes to bone health, skin health, brain health, heart health, gut health, breast health, reproductive system health and now – prostate health. According to published research men who regularly participated in outdoor activities that allowed exposure to sunlight had healthier prostate glands than men who consciously avoided sun exposure.¹⁹ Don’t hide from the sun – seek the light!

Next Best Kept Secrets to Healthy Aging topic:
Prostate Health: Don’t Be Afraid of Calcium

References:
19. John EM, Schwartz GG, Koo J, Van Den Berg D, Ingles SA. Sun exposure, vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, and risk of advanced prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2005;65:5470-5479.