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Veggies for Enlarged Prostate Risk
Feb. 14, 2007 -- Enlarged prostates appear to be less common among men who eat lots of vegetables, a new study shows.
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is common in older men. With BPH, the prostate becomes enlarged. The condition is not cancerous, but it can hamper urine's flow. The exact cause of BPH isn't known.
"Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a diet rich in vegetables may reduce the occurrence of BPH," write the study's researchers.
They included Sabine Rohrmann, PhD, MPH, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Md.
The study appears in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition's February edition.
Study of 32,000 Men
Data came from more than 32,000 male health care workers enrolled in a long-term health study that began in 1986.
When the study started, the men were 46-70 years old (average age: 51).
The men completed diet surveys that asked how often they ate 131 foods, including various fruits and vegetables.
The men also reported their age, weight, ethnicity, physical activity, smoking, drinking, and medical history at the beginning of the study. They updated their medical information every two years.
Starting in 1992, the men noted any surgeries or symptoms of noncancerous enlarged prostate.
By 2000, a total of 6,092 men had had surgery or moderate to high symptoms of urinary problems associated with BPH.
Fewer With Enlarged Prostate
The 1986 diet survey shows the men's fruit and vegetable consumption ranged from a low of nearly three daily servings to a high of almost 10.
When the researchers took a closer look at the data, they found that high consumption of vegetables -- but not fruit -- seemed particularly beneficial for BPH.
The men who consumed the most vegetables were 11% less likely to have BPH surgery or moderate to high BPH symptoms by 2000, the study shows.
In addition, certain antioxidants – beta-carotene, lutein, and vitamin C -- were associated with reduced risk of BPH. But those antioxidants had to come from fruits and vegetables, not supplements, according to the study.
The study doesn't prove that vegetables single-handedly reduced men's odds of developing BPH.
But the results held when the researchers adjusted for other factors that might affect the men's odds of developing the problem.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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