Table of Contents

Chapter 4: Why Nutrition Matters

a. The Building Blocks: Vitamins and Minerals

The vitamins and minerals found in all foods play an important role in helping to regulate the body’s many processes and functions. They can help monitor the balance between cell growth and cell death, and particularly between cancer cell growth and cancer cell death. Continuing research over the years has shown that the loss of a number of vitamins and minerals can contribute to uncontrolled cancer cell growth—and that, conversely, increased ingestion through foods or supplementation can slow the development and/or progression of prostate cancer.

But supplementation is not always a smart choice. Because much of our packaged foods—from cereals to orange juice—is fortified with additional vitamins and minerals, true vitamin and mineral deficiency tends to be uncommon in the United States. Therefore, some of the available preparations constitute less a supplement and more an oversupplement. Why is this a problem? Certain vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, are not easily excreted by the body. If taken in extremely high doses, they can build up over time and cause damage to the body’s systems. Remember: the best way to increase vitamin and mineral intake is by eating a wide variety of healthy foods.

As you explore the possibility of adding vitamin-rich foods and/or supplements to your diet to help you fight against your prostate cancer, talk with your doctor or qualified nutrition counselor about establishing a safe balance between healthful vitamin intake and oversupplementation. Remember, vitamin and mineral supplements are meant to be just that, supplements. They should not be used in place of smart food choices but should be used judiciously in the appropriate setting.

Finally, keep in mind that many supplements can interact with medications you might be taking. They can change the way that the medications act, making them stronger or weaker than desired, and can cause an increase in unwanted side effects. Be sure to talk with your doctors and nurses before you consider taking any supplements. This way, you can make sure that you get the maximum benefit from your medications as well as from the additional vitamins and minerals.