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The Problem with Nutrition Studies.

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 1/27/2019 6:33 PM (GMT -5)
The nutrition studies related to cancer that I have looked at seem to
contain the same faulty premise. For example, If vitamin "Z" is under
investigation, they will compare the higher levels to lower levels and
examine its impact on cancer occurrence, progression, or survival rates.
I call this the "silver bullet" syndrome. There are no dietary silver bullets
that I'm aware of. It's a systemic problem that requires a systemic solution.

There are about 10-12 aspects to my diet. Any one of them, tested alone,
with the typical Western diet, would fail. Working together, however, they
are producing meaningful results.
Posted 1/27/2019 7:51 PM (GMT -5)
Yes - and perhaps more than diet - perhaps also exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, etc.
I don't think it is possible to do a useful study of diet as you and others here practice it. There are too many variables and no way to do controls. But our understanding of healthful diet and its components moves forward thru population studies and anecdote. I see a developing consensus about diet for cancer patients across major cancer centers.

Most of what we know about taking care of ourselves and our families is not learned through rigorous research studies, but anecdote, observation, "elders". "look both ways" "don't run with scissors" "avoid lightning"

thank you for your persistence and patience, Cashless.

Wilderness
Posted 1/27/2019 8:19 PM (GMT -5)
Human beings are complex. Very, very complex. I personally do not see the logic of some of your assertions, but few can argue with anecdotal evidence that gets positive results for you. All the best to you to maintain fortitude and good fortune in keeping a low PSA.
Posted 1/27/2019 11:49 PM (GMT -5)
That's why all serious studies have a blind control group for both the patients and researchers.
Placebos work for a good reason. You may feel better with a diet, but there is a significant chance it has more to do with your mind than your diet.
Posted 1/28/2019 6:03 AM (GMT -5)
More than one serious nutritionist has pointed out that the only way to run a true, unbiased nutrition study would be to lock the participants up somewhere that everything they eat and drink could be monitored continuously. People are notorious for fudging their diaries on this subject.

There is a valid point in the OP as well: there are synergistic effects going on. Human metabolism is incredibly complex, and trying to narrow things down to a single component is fraught with complications.

Also to the OP: as has been mentioned in this forum many, many times, PSA is NOT a cancer test. Maintaining a low PSA is not, by definition, keeping cancer from developing or growing. There are common drugs and supplements (finasteride on the drug side, saw palmetto on the supplement side) that are known to depress PSA and have no effect on cancer formation or progression....in fact, while using those products, the person using them should be aware that they could be lulled into an assumption that they are cancer free because of the PSA lowering effects.
Posted 1/28/2019 7:45 AM (GMT -5)
Hal, your third point is valid for a man that is pre-treatment for PCa. Once the prostate is either removed or ablated by radiation, PSA is certainly a cancer test for most treated men. You, like Cashless, have no prostate. The only cause of increasing PSA is now from PCa. Anything that would cause the PSA to reduce would be having an effect on the cancer. Usually this is hormonal, chemo or immuno therapy. For Cashless it is his diet.
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