Excessive consumption of dairy products, and milk in particular, increases the chances of developing prostate cancer, compared to moderate consumption, according to new research evidence. On the other hand, according to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, no correlation was found between the increased risk of prostate cancer and the intake of calcium that does not come from dairy products, which suggests that substances other than calcium play an important role role in the occurrence of cancer.
“Our findings reinforce other evidence that identifies dairy products as a risk factor for prostate cancer,” said Gary Fraser, the study’s principal investigator and a professor at the Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
Specifically, men who consumed regarding 430 grams of dairy per day (1 ¾ cups of milk) had a 25% increased risk of prostate cancer, compared to men who consumed only 20.2 grams of dairy per day (1/2 cup of milk per week). In addition, the increase was even greater in men with excessive consumption, compared to men with zero dairy intake in their diet.
The research team analyzed data from regarding 28,000 Americans who were cancer-free at the start of the study and followed them for regarding eight years. The participants filled out questionnaires regarding their eating habits, but also their other personal information, such as family history of prostate cancer, physical activity, alcohol consumption. During those eight years, 1,254 new cases of prostate cancer were reported among the participants.
Dr. Fraser emphasized that the results differed little depending on whether the products were full-fat or reduced-fat, while no dangerous associations were observed with cheese and yogurt. In addition, in their analysis they separated calcium intake from plant sources and from dairy products, through a statistical model.
Another factor pointed out is that the increase in risk did not keep pace with the increase in consumption per 50 grams, that is, the risk did not increase particularly with increasing consumption: “Most of the continued increase in risk is gone by the time you get to 150 grams, i.e. regarding two-thirds of a cup of milk per day” notes Dr. Fraser.
This connection of milk with the appearance of prostate cancer is explained by hormones, according to Dr. Fraser. About 75% of cows are pregnant, and prostate cancer is a hormone-related cancer. Additionally, previous studies have linked dairy and other animal protein intake to higher blood levels of a hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is thought to promote certain cancers, including prostate.
Nevertheless, Dr. Fraser believes further studies are needed to investigate how dairy consumption might increase the risk of prostate cancer. It suggests that those with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors should be “careful” with milk consumption. Finally, he notes that the study does not yet conclusively prove that milk causes prostate cancer.
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