Heart Healthy is Prostate Healthy 

with Rogers Foods Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Tammy-Lynn

Heart disease is the no. 1 killer, even in men with prostate cancer. Eat heart-healthy foods that will also benefit your colon. Foods like avocados, salmon, flaxseed, oatmeal, berries, and dark chocolate with at least a 70% cacao content.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading types of cancer in men, and its prevalence continues to increase globally. According to statistics, prostate cancer affects one in nine men during their lifetime. While treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can help manage the disease, certain dietary practices can slow its progression or prevent its development. One such practice is the consumption of oats. This article explores the benefits of oats for men with prostate cancer.

Oats and Prostate Cancer PreventionOats have numerous health benefits, and one of them is their ability to prevent cancer. Oats contain a type of fibre known as beta-glucan, which has been shown to reduce the risk of different types of cancer, including prostate cancer. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that men who consumed oats regularly had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who did not. The study attributed this to the beta-glucan in oats, which has anti-cancer properties.

Oats and Prostate Cancer TreatmentOat consumption can also aid in the treatment of prostate cancer. Oats are rich in selenium, which is an antioxidant mineral that has been linked to a lower risk of cancer. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that selenium supplementation could reduce men’s risk of advanced prostate cancer. Furthermore, oats contain lignans, plant compounds with anti-cancer properties. Lignans have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, including prostate cancer cells.

Oats and Prostate Cancer ManagementMen with prostate cancer who consume oats regularly have a better chance of managing the disease. This is because oats contain high levels of fibre, which aids in digestion and bowel movements, preventing constipation. Constipation can be a common side effect when undergoing prostate cancer treatment, leading to discomfort and even pain. Eating oats can alleviate this discomfort and improve the patient’s quality of life. Additionally, oats are a low glycemic index (GI) food that can help manage blood sugar levels. High blood sugar is linked to inflammation, worsening the cancer’s prognosis. Men with prostate cancer can keep their blood sugar levels in check by consuming oats, reducing inflammation and potentially improving the treatment outcome.

Ways to Prepare Oats
Oatmeal: A breakfast favourite, cooked oats pair well with fruits, nuts, and seeds. Follow package directions for exact cooking times. Generally, less-processed oats, such as steel-cut, take 25-30 minutes to cook, whereas instant oats take 1-2 minutes.

Overnight Oats: A quick, easy solution for a nutrient-dense breakfast or snack. In a glass pot, add ½ cup of whole oats (never instant), ½-1 cup of liquid such as dairy, soy, or nut, and ½ cup of any chopped fruit (banana, melon, apple, grapes). Additional optional ingredients include a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 1-2 tablespoons of chia/flaxseeds, nuts, or any spices. Bring milk/water to a brief simmer, stir in oats for 1–2 minutes (or microwave until steaming hot), or  to a food-safety target of 74°C / 165°F., then cool quickly. 

Refrigerate overnight or for at least four hours. The oats will soften, thickening the mixture into a pudding-like texture. You still get the overnight texture, but you’ve added a safety step. 

CFIA doesn’t specify a specific number of minutes for oats; the key safety point is ensuring a true heat step (cooking or baking), as no-cook methods remove the final “kill step.” In practical terms, oats are considered adequately cooked once the mixture is heated through and steaming hot, typically brought to a boil and then simmered (or microwaved) until bubbling, with stirring to ensure even heat distribution.

Note: Wheat germ, oats, and flour are agricultural grain products. As with any minimally processed grain ingredient, there is a small possibility that they could contain naturally occurring bacteria from growing, harvesting, storage, or handling. Cooking, baking, or toasting helps reduce this risk, which is why our packaging includes a cautionary statement advising these products are not ready-to-eat.

Oat Flour: These oats have been ground to a flour-like consistency. Although it may be tempting to substitute oat flour for regular flour in baked recipes, keep in mind that oat flour lacks gluten, a crucial component that adds structure, moisture, and volume to a baked product; without it, cookies would crumble, and bread would become dense and lack volume. However, oat flour can add chewiness to cookies and boost nutrients to pieces of bread. Substitute 25-30% of the flour in a recipe with oat flour for the best results.

• Oat Risotto: Oats are also delicious in savoury dishes. An example is replacing rice in risotto with whole oat groats or steel-cut oats. The oats are typically toasted in hot oil with aromatics like shallots or diced onion for a few minutes. Then stock and/or water are added, 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition, until the oats are cooked (about 25 minutes).


• Other Ideas:
  

  Add ½ cup dry oats to batter for bread and cookies.

  Add 2-3 tablespoons of toasted oat bran to any hot or cold cereal.

  Conclusion

  Oats are a superfood with numerous health benefits for men with prostate cancer. Consuming oats can help prevent the development of prostate cancer, aid in its treatment and slow its progression. Additionally, men with prostate cancer who consume oats can better manage the disease by alleviating discomfort and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. As such, it is imperative for men with prostate cancer to incorporate oats into their diet regularly. It is worth noting that other dietary and lifestyle changes, such as exercise and consuming other cancer-fighting foods, can also complement the consumption of oats in managing prostate cancer.

  
  

  ^REFERENCES

  
  
  1. ^{Harvard Health – https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/oats/}
  
  
  1. ^{https://observer.com/2016/10/doctors-orders-eat-these-20-foods-to-beat-prostate-cancer/}
  
  
  2. ^{https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325078/}