Not a teetotaler

Since my psa began to rise in mid-January of this year, I have gone on a low fat diet, no red meat and added pomegranet, soy and green tea. It has worked out well in that I have lost over 15 lbs. Althought psa coninues to rise. One thing that I haven't done is reduce/eliminate alcohol. In fact I have gone from a drink or two in the evening to 3 or 4. Question for those how are changed their diet due to PCa. How have you addressed the issue of alcohol consumption? Am I offsetting any positive effects of my diet on slowing the PCa growth by not also reducing/eliminating alcohol? I know there is a lot of debate on diet and effects on PCa growth, but I am interested in what others have found and are doing. BB

Thanks Rob2, I am also an accountant. Do soon will likely be a retired accountant.

BB-fan -
I did a google search and didn't find much of value other than this link -
www.drcatalona.com/qa/arch_psa.asp

question -Does alcohol affect the PSA score?
answer -No..... [short and sweet ]..

My only concern is that you have increased your normal alcohol consumption after your diagnosis and surgery.... could it be masking other areas of concern regarding: emotional, sexual or psychological well-being or lack thereof ?


sincere hugs
BRONSON

Gee, it must be "bean counter" hour, I work as a Control or CFO in finance.

As far as alcohol, I haven't had a single drop since 1973, that's 37 years without as much as a sip of beer. Being totally "dry" never stopped me from having cancer 4 times, never stopped my PSA from a rapid rise mode presurgery, or post surgery. And with all I have been through, it hasn't made me want to start drinking.

I have nothing against drinking. I keep a nicely stocked bar at home for family and guests, and my wife loves her wine nightly. I do question the health benefit even in drinking red wine, because from what I have studied, its something in the grapes themselvew, not grapes in the form of alcohol. so you good get the same benefit without the alchohol.

Interestingly, it was suggested by my dr. to at least drink some non-alchoholic beer from time to time, to help flush out the urinary system.
Haven't done it yet, but have thought about it.

David in SC

BB_Fan said...
Question for those how are changed their diet due to PCa. How have you addressed the issue of alcohol consumption?

To your question above...

I drink a glass of red wine fairly regularly for the known, well-documented positive health benefits (in addition to adhereing relatively well to an overall heart-healthy diet).

However, given that alcohol is known to diminish sexual performance, it would be counter-productive and make no sense to take a PDE-5 inhibitor to improve sexual performance and to also imbibe in any alcohol on the same day/night...so I skip the wine on as many nights as possible. 

   

I've been eating a lot like you ... I'm trying to follow the Milken cookbook(s).  I figure if low fat, green tea, soy, etc. helped him with his PC it can't hurt me. 

I cut the alcohol back because it was my understanding that heavy alcohol use on a regular basis increased the risk of PC; therefore, I figured it could increase my odds of having a return of my PC.  Currently, I try to stay with one glass of wine per night ... sometimes its a big glass.  I've found that two drinks will usually give me night sweats ... something new since the RLP. I guess the night sweats made it easier for me to cut back on alcohol ... they are annoying.

Good Luck!

Jeff,
For the next GFMPH weekend, we are bringing a keg, and putting you in a kids plastic pool. I think you owe it to yourself.
Paul

Thanks for responses. I know the doubling up on alcohol consumption is generally not good and something that I need to deal with for general health concerns. I have always enjoyed a gin and tonic after work and perhaps a glass a wine with dinner. I believe, what I am hearing is that alcohol consumption is not considered something that will promote prostate cancer growth, but should be a general health concern.

BB
GFMPH was a weekend at Worried Guy's place in NY. We had a great time last September, and I'm pushing him have another one this year. I think by virtue of being here you are invited! It was a lot of fun. Just us guys, leaking and all.
Paul

BB_Fan,

Yeah, Milkens diet is very hard for me to keep to ... and his receipes take a long time to prepare ... but I do keep trying.

I've focused on incorporating the easy stuff ... like the soy shakes in the morning (but sometimes oatmeal), green tea instead of coffee (but sometimes coffee).

I do eat fish, and the wife will add turkey pieces to chili's and other dishes (not a big piece but small bits).  I figure my meat consumption is 1/10 of what it was (no more steaks on the barby, Big Macs, etc.).  Haven't developed a taste for the tofu meat (or cheese) substitutes. 

The longer I try the diet  the easier it becomes to change my eating habits ... but I do fall of the wagon.

I guess I'm on a MMM diet (Modified Michael Milken diet).

BB -
Where in CT are you? I'm just over the line from Danbury - in New York.
email me
Paul

Although Danbury is only about 90 minutes or so away.