Protein intake and ADT

"I was wondering if anyone is using Protein shakes or increased protein sources in your diet to try and combat the muscle loss ?"

It wasn't so much muscle loss for me, just difficult to make any gains for the most part.

I'm a study of one 🙂 Yes, what I did based on advice from an nutritionist / RN relative was to add a protein drink. Easiest thing he said was a product like Fairlife, they have a high quality protein shake with 30 grams of protein in 150 calories and 4 gm of carbs. He also recommended increasing my animal protein to some degree. My meals are essentially...
Breakfast= Yogurt + granola
Protein shake after workout..
Lunch = salad including nuts, and some plant base protein like black beans etc..maybe a hard boiled egg or cheese.
Dinner = fresh veggies and animal protein. Chicken or fish mostly occasional lean beef. (once every couple weeks to break up the monotony
He wanted me around 130-150 grams a day if I can. I usually make it to around 100...

Does it help? Not really all that sure, been doing it the whole time, not much to compare it to but given what I've been through, RP, 39 rad treatments and 2 years of ADT, I guess I feel pretty good!

I was on ADT for 24 months and am on a holiday as psa is currently undetectable.
I would strongly recommend resistance training .. I found this beneficial in combating muscle loss. Some of us experience weight gain on ADT another issue to combat…all good in combating PC….

I was on orgovyx, 18 months and did 45 radiation. I researched best proteins, and did 2 proteins shakes per day, plus I added collagen. I am very active, but I added a gym 3 times per week. I did not gain any weight, and I did not have the enlarged breast issue. Some loss of muscle. I am now off ADT as of 5 weeks back, and my arms are bulking up again, thighs some. I have been a milk drinker my entire life, and continued my 3 full glasses per day. My PSA after completing radiation was down to 0.04.

I had an RP in November. So far so good.🙏🏻. I too had significant muscle atrophy On a recent webinar an expert in prostate cancer nutrition stated only plant based milk. I drink Ripple. I am only using plant based protein powder. I’m just starting to increase my exercise intensity. At 71, I’m not going to look like an Adonis. Just trying to look lean and fit. Best wishes🤞

Having heard about the possible side effects of hormone therapy, I ramped up my strength-training program prior to my first injection. Here’s a video from a recent PCRI conferences about hormone therapy and the physical benefits of exercise:

Here’s a study about the benefits of exercise to counteract the adverse effects of ADT: (Resistance Exercise Training Increases Muscle Mass and Strength in Prostate Cancer Patients on Androgen Deprivation Therapy) —> https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2023/04000/resistance_exercise_training_increases_muscle_mass.2.aspx

Despite my best efforts (and being a gym rat, anyway), including a daily protein smoothie, protein bars, and more heart-healthy diet, I still suffered significant loss of muscle mass and approximately 30% loss of strength.

As my strength dropped (due to the loss of testosterone), I had to reduce the weights I was lifting so as not to injure myself (muscles and joints) during that time. (Always listen to your body.) Setting expectations as to what’s possible while on ADT is important.

Fortunately, when the ADT was out of my system and testosterone levels returned to normal, my muscle mass returned as did my strength. It’s all quite temporary so, I wouldn’t worry about it.

How long were you on the ADT and what drugs did they use ?

I'm 59 and about half way through a six month course of Eligard, as I await my five dates with TrueBeam STX in early May. Before I started ADT my urologist and PA talked about possible loss of muscle, strength, etc. they advised additional low cal and low carb whey protein in bars and shakes/smoothies, and cleaner proteins from plants and seeds, fish and poultry. Less reliance on dairy and red meat.

So I ramped up what I was already doing. I was doing power yoga 3-4 times a week, as well as rucking (basically wearing a backpack with a 20 lb plate in it for core and lower body strength) a couple times a week. I dusted off my old TRX rig and workout with it 2-3 times a week for additional upper body and core work. Honestly, I'm ripping out more pushups now than I did before the shot, and have noticed more bulk in my shoulders, upper back and arms. Aside from occasional hot flashes, I really have been fortunate to avoid the more dramatic side-effects to this point. I hope that trend continues past radiation and as the Eligard wears away.

Keep up the fight and best of luck to you all.

chamblee54: you might want to try maximum vibrance. It has a truckload of good, helpful vitamins and minerals. I take it every day.
https://vibranthealth.com/products/maximum-vibrance/

Chamblee, the nutritionist at City of Hope recommended doubling protein intake. Thats double .36 grams of protein for each pound of body weight. Protein slows digestion even in powder form. With radiation it is best to have an established digestion pattern with elimination prior to the treatment session to reduce movement of the prostate gland during treatment.