Diet - Eggs or no eggs?

I think we beat this one up in a recent discussion about eggs.
There was a study that showed some component (lutein?) in eggs that “might” promote prostate cancer. But in the very article cited the lead researcher used the word “correlation” and NOT “causation”.
I love eggs - even have them in omelet form for dinner sometimes. My wife and I probably eat a dozen (in toto) every week or so in various recipes and desserts.
I also love dairy - any cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, lowfat milk. So when I read the definitive research that says these two foods - eaten since time immemorial - cause prostate cancer, maybe….maybe? I might cut down….or better, be dead already😝!

I am not a doctor but a nutritionally cognizant consumer. As mentioned above iron, along with protein are essential to the body during treatment. Both of these nutrients (serum protein) were diminished as a result of my RT. Personally - I believe that animal protein (lean meat) is an optimal source of protein during treatment as the body is under stress from the radiation which may include loss of muscle mass. Generally, it is recognized as a superior volumetric source of protein (as well as B12) compared to a vegetarian diet and it may be prudent during treatment to avail yourself of a full complement of dietary protein and iron.

Prior to RT, I was advised to stick to a mild diet and avoid foods that can cause gas or irritation in the bowels, e.g., foods in the onion and cabbage families and hot spices.

I second @web265 on that "At the time of the treatment you'll likely be asked to be "gas (and fecal matter) free and full of pee" as much as possible." The thing is the "full of pee will push your guts further away from the beam, thus protecting them from damage. Foods that produce faeces and gas (mainly beans and veggies) will bloat your intestine to the point that the beam will affect it, thus it is a no- no. Is it difficult (boring) to maintain a diet during RT sessions but you have to do it and then eat that staff you want on Friday night and Saturday morning so there is enough time to evacuate them properly during the week end and before the next session. In my husband's case (gleason 4+4, RP, PSA after RP 3.75, RT 68 Gy in 34 fractions which started 2 weeks after starting ADT with eligard and Zytiga) they only "kicked him out" once (until he evacuated) and it was precisely because he had beans on a Sunday night. But for some reason, the RT equipment used (In Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami) would not start treating you if everything did not look perfect (thank you AI) and when you did have the treatment, you would not have side effects. Nothing burnt, no diarrhea, no muscle loss - nothing - all perfect.

Now eggs? he is eating 3 eggs daily on breakfast. (organic, pasture raised). His medical oncologist and radiologist oncologist said nothing about eggs, but yes, red meat. Stay away from red meat. Stick to vegetable sources of protein the said. If it has to be read meat, have very little (like 250 gms per week) and be sure it is hormone free. Dairy ... likewise. We all know dairy is made of milk - milk is made of animals that are either filled with hormones or caged, raped and frustrated whilst we milk them - do you really want to get all this into your system? I am greek and still don't eat greek yogurt - or any yogurt. (you can get your probiotics from a trillion other natural sources).

And yes - we did talk to a nutritionist from the same hospital - she was actually an italian and we ended up giving each other our grannies recipes. Because at the end of the day the mediterannean diet is what everybody suggest we all have, cancer or not. Back then we did not eat red meat at all. Maybe twice a month? it was only fish and chicken and that would be twice or three meals a week. The rest was based on beans, salads, veggies, home made bread (with sour dough), olive oil etc etc.

A tip: Husband is pre diabetic (only very very sightly, yet we have to get him to normal levels. Nutritionist suggested berberine, 1000 mg per day with food (as opposed to metformin). Cancer loves sugar (needless to say 0 sugar and 0 refined foods in your diet - I would also add 0 sweeteners as them too, apart from being non-natural, will tell the brain to tell the pancreas to produce insuline for no "real" reason). Have fruits (not dried fruits).

End of story - husband lost the extra weight, 8 months after RP and RT and 6 months into ADT he is in very good shape (30 min walking daily and he doubled his muscle exercise regime to counter the effect of ADT), eats as natural as I can manage and his blood results better than ever before.

Also prescribed by oncologist together with 1000 zytiga, is 1000IU vit D, 1000 calcium, 5mg prednisone. Calcium and vit D are important to help with your bone loss. Exercise is equally as important. Good luck. You are going to beat this.

Examples from a quick search for “study eggs prostate cancer”. There are many more sites that discuss this, Check out the search.

The findings of the study – that men who ate 2.5 or more eggs a week compared to men who ate less than half an egg week were 82% more likely to develop fatal prostate cancer – are certainly interesting. But on their own they are not reliable enough to warrant men cutting back on eggs to reduce risk of prostate cancer.Sep 30, 2011

Eggs may increase risk of aggressive prostate cancer due to their choline content. One study found that men with the highest choline intake (~500 mg/day) had a 70 % increased risk of incident lethal prostate cancer compared with men with the lowest intake (~300 mg/day) [19]. A Swedish study also reported that men with the highest plasma levels of choline had a 46 % increased risk of prostate cancer compared with men with the lowest levels

Pretty well my take on the matter. Today was my briefing with the oncologist prior to 35 days of RT starting next month. The diet/regime he gave me in order to ensure a 'no gas state' on arrival each day includes.........eggs. Go figure.

As for cheese, I reckon my prostate is made of the stuff. Probably responsible for my gallstones too over 20 years.

'Choline' perhaps?

Exactly what I was given today prior to treatment ( RT ) - includes eggs as 'OK'.

Thank you Christine, that is so helpful. Actually, my wife and I have been vegetarian for over 15 years so some of the things we already have covered. That said, I think my over consumption of cheese means my prostate is made of the damn stuff! The oncologist today laid it on the line re- empty bowel pretty well echoing what you kindly wrote. Not going to be easy.

Thanks for your time taken and for your words of encouragement.

David

There are older studies (2012) that show a risk for eating more than 3 eggs per week and fatal prostate cancer.

The study by the Prostate Cancer Foundation shows the relative for eggs and meat.
https://www.pcf.org/c/prostate-cancer-and-eggs-dairy-supplements-your-questions-answered-part-1/
There's lots of data, please be careful and discuss with your Dr and/or nutritionist.