Medical Bulletin 03/ May/ 2024

A new study published in the journal Cancer linked plant-based diet to fewer side effects experienced by people being treated for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide. Statistically, it is estimated that approximately one in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports men with prostate cancer by providing essential nutrients and antioxidants, boosting the immune system, and protecting cells from damage. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats, like fatty fish, flaxseeds, and nuts, reduce inflammation and promote overall well-being. Limiting red and processed meats and incorporating soy products and a plant-based diet can also have protective effects against prostate cancer progression.

In the study, researchers looked at more than 3,500 men with prostate cancer and classified them into five groups based on the proportion of animal versus plant-based food the men reported eating.

The researchers found that the group consuming the highest proportion of plants scored 8% to 11% higher in measures of sexual function, compared with the group consuming the least. Results also showed up to 14% higher scores for urinary health, with fewer examples of irritation, obstruction, and incontinence.

The highest group of plant eaters also demonstrated up to 13% higher scores in hormonal health, assessing symptoms such as depression, hot flashes and low energy, compared to the lowest group on plant-based diets.

“Our findings offer hope for those looking for ways to improve their quality of life after undergoing surgery, radiation, and other common therapies for prostate cancer, which can cause significant side effects. Adding more fruits and vegetables to their diet, while reducing meat and dairy, is a simple step that patients can take,” said Dr. Stacy Loeb, a urologist and the study’s lead author.

Reference: Stacy Loeb MD, MSc, PhD (Hon) et al.; Plant-based diet associated with better quality of life in prostate cancer survivors; Journal: Cancer; https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.35172

The study of Université Laval and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF) reported that Cranberry extracts may improve intestinal microbiota and help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The study was published in the journal NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes.

Cranberries and berries are associated with multiple health benefits, mainly attributed to their high content of polyphenols, in the form of tannins. They also contain high concentrations of oligosaccharides, small fibres that may contribute to their bioactivity.

Cranberry extracts also stimulate the Akkermansia muciniphila bacterium, which plays an important role in the intestinal mucosa, helping to reduce inflammation and strengthen the intestinal barrier. When included into a balanced diet, cranberry extracts could modify the inflammatory pathway and improve the prognosis of a chronic disease. This results in strengthening the connections between the cells of the intestinal barrier.

In the study, approximately forty participants recruited at INAF were instructed to consume a cranberry supplement in capsule form twice daily, morning and evening, which is equivalent to ingesting 60 grams of fresh cranberries. At the beginning of the experiment and after four days, samples of plasma, urine, and stool were collected from participants.

Although cranberries had a beneficial effect on all participants, the results highlighted variability in their responses which suggested future research toidentify which microbiota signatures respond best to the extracts.

"This diet alters the microbiota, causes inflammation of the mucosa, and compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier, which plays a crucial role in protecting the body from bacteria present in the gut. Alteration of the intestinal barrier allows the passage of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from the intestinal microbiota, known as metabolic endotoxemia, and is a crucial factor in the onset and progression of inflammation and metabolic diseases," explained Yves Desjardins, professor at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences and lead author of the study.

Reference: Lessard-Lord, J., et al. (2024). Short term supplementation with cranberry extract modulates gut microbiota in human and displays a bifidogenic effect. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes. doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00493-w.

According to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, a brief episode of anger triggered by remembering past experiences may negatively impact the blood vessels’ ability to relax, which is essential for proper blood flow.

Previous research has found that impairment of blood vessels’ ability to relax may increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which may, in turn, increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

“Impaired vascular function is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Observational studies have linked feelings of negative emotions with having a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease events. The most common negative emotion studied is anger, and there are fewer studies on anxiety and sadness, which have also been linked to heart attack risk,” said lead study author Daichi Shimbo, a professor of medicine at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

In the study. researchers investigated the impact of negative emotions like anger, sadness, and anxiety on blood vessel function compared to a neutral emotion in 280 adults. Participants were randomly assigned emotional tasks: recalling anger, anxiety, sadness, or performing a neutral task. Blood vessel function was assessed before and after tasks to identify any changes in dilation, cell injury, or repair capacity. Measurements were taken at baseline and at four timepoints after the emotional task: 3, 40, 70, and 100 minutes.

The analysis found that:

1. Tasks that recalled past events causing anger led to an impairment in blood vessel dilation, from zero to 40 minutes after the task. The impairment was no longer present after the 40-minute mark.

2. There were no statistically significant changes to participants’ blood vessel linings at any time points after experiencing the anxiety and sadness emotional tasks.

“This study underscores how intense emotions like anger can harm vascular endothelial health, which is critical in heart diseases. It adds to evidence linking mental well-being to cardiovascular health, showing how acute emotions such as stress or sadness can trigger cardiac events like heart attacks or arrhythmias,” said Glenn Levine, chief of the cardiology section at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston.

Reference: Daichi Shimbo, M.D. et al; Brief anger may impair blood vessel function; Journal of the American Heart Association; DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.0326981