Key Finding: A new study shows that a low-carb diet might improve gut health and potentially slow down prostate cancer progression! 💪🥗 Weight loss plays a key role in this positive effect. 😲👌
Did you know that your gut health might have a surprising effect on prostate cancer (PC) progression? 🤯 A new study published in The Annals of Medicine Journal explored the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) on intestinal permeability (IP) and inflammation markers (IM) in men with prostate cancer (PC).
Before proceeding, let me introduce you some uncommon terms: 👉 LCD – a diet limiting carbohydrate intake, focusing on proteins and fats; IP – the ease of substances passing through the gut lining; IM – molecules indicating inflammation levels in the body; PC – a form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland, found in the male reproductive system. Now, get back to the topic. 👇
The Carbohydrate and Prostate Study 2 (CAPS2) clinical trial (a study comparing low-carb diets and control groups for prostate cancer patients) followed 45 participants for 6 months 📅, comparing the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet against a control group. All participants had prior primary prostate cancer treatment and a body mass index (BMI) of ≥24 kg/m² (a measure of body fat based on height and weight).
Guess what? The results were pretty interesting! 😲 After 6 months, the low-carbohydrate diet group showed a decrease in zonulin by a median of -8.3%, while the control group increased slightly (median 1.4%). However, no changes were observed in the inflammation marker called high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). By the way, zonulin is a protein that regulates intestinal permeability.
But here’s the kicker: the study found a significant association between weight change and prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT – a marker for prostate cancer progression). The greater the weight loss, the longer the PSADT (p = .003). A similar inverse trend was observed between changes in zonulin and PSADT (p = .050). Nonetheless, zonulin wasn’t found to be a significant intermediary mechanism (p = .3).
As a weight loss coach, I believe that a healthy diet and weight loss can make a huge difference in our lives! 💪 This study suggests that an low-carbohydrate diet may have a positive impact on intestinal permeability and potentially slow down prostate cancer progression.
So, what do you think? How would you improve your gut health and promote a healthier lifestyle to fight prostate cancer? 🥗 What are your favorite low-carb recipes? Let’s discuss and share our ideas in the comments below! 🤔👇
