Researchers say they have been able to show for the first time that friendly bacteria in the gut can be enhanced to help slow prostate cancer progression, while improving men’s overall health and wellbeing.
In a study, academics from the University of Bedfordshire working alongside a team from Addenbrooke’s and Bedford, Cambridge University Hospital Trusts, evaluated a dietary intervention which boosted plant-based nutrients combined with a specifically designed probiotic supplement.
The study involved 212 men with low-risk prostate cancer. All participants took a specially developed supplement made from natural, plant-based ingredients including broccoli, turmeric, pomegranate, green tea, ginger and cranberry. Half of the group also received a new probiotic supplement, while the other half received a placebo.
The scientific results, published in the acclaimed medical Journal European Urology Oncology, reported at 44% reduction in PSA progression in the intervention group, a key indicator of prostate cancer activity. Significantly, these biochemical changes were backed up with physical changes in disease size seen on MRI scan – a level of reassurance not seen before in a nutritional study.
Another positive outcome welcomed by the men in the study was improvement in urinary flow. Men on the combination got up less at night to pass water and even had better erectile function. Additionally, by improving their gut health, the men felt significantly better, had lower levels of inflammation in their bodies and were even stronger (measured by formal grip strength).
Although links between gut health, diet and cancer have been established in previous laboratory studies, the team say this is the first robust clinic trial in humans showing these can be targeted and have an effect on cancer progression and symptoms.
Professor Robert Thomas – visiting professor of sport and nutritional science at the University of Bedfordshire and consultant clinical oncologist at Addenbrooke’s and Bedfordshire Cambridge University Hospitals – worked on the research and said: “This study shows, for the first time, that improving the balance of bacteria in the gut can slow prostate cancer activity while also improving important aspects of men’s health such as urinary symptoms, inflammation and physical strength. What is particularly reassuring is that the changes we saw in PSA were supported by changes on MRI scans, which is very unusual and unique in nutritional research. This was a carefully designed clinical trial carried out under medical supervision and, while the results are encouraging, longer follow up is planned to assess whether these supplements will lead to less men needing major interventions such as surgery or radiotherapy.”
As well as providing much needed practical evidence-based nutritional advice for men with prostate cancer, the findings provide encouragement for research institutes across the world to embark on more microbiome research related to different cancers and their treatments.
Dr Jeffrey Aldous, senior lecturer in exercise physiology, also contributed to the study. He added: “This research helps us understand how targeted dietary strategies may influence the gut microbiome in ways that appear to benefit both cancer-related markers and overall wellbeing. Improvements in strength, inflammation and daily symptoms are particularly important for quality of life, and I hope our findings can support and improve the lives of those living with prostate cancer.”