Could a Carrot a Day Keep The Doctor Away?

By Diane Talbert

2 min read

Prostate cancer is a common disease among men, especially those who are 50 years and older. But believe me when I say that age is not a constant factor in this disease. Getting checked early is key.

The impact of diet

Cancer, whether prostate or any other, has multiple companion factors. Although diet may not always have a direct impact on cancer and its remission or progression, keeping a balanced diet with fresh vegetables and fruits can help in managing body weight.

Some studies have shown that overweight and obese men may be at more risk for prostate cancer.¹ So, keeping fresh fruits, veggies and healthy fats can help in losing unwanted body weight. And I guess it’s not a bad way to get rid of all that extra fat.

Let's talk about carrots

Now that diet is in the discussion, let’s talk about a star diet product that is publicized for its carotene and antioxidant reservoir. Yes, that’s right: carrots.

Yes, carrots are known for their carotene treasure. However, when it comes to the research on the effect of carrots on prostate cancer, there have been different results. Some studies have shown a possible relationship between carrots and their ability to prevent or slow down prostate cancer, but others have found no link.^2,3

Our overall health

Red carrots, white carrots, or any other color, it doesn’t matter. Just adding them to your food plate is a win-win in every possible way. But only eating carrots does not make you invincible. It is and can be a good addition to your fighting squad, but totally depending on this product is not enough. We all know that.

Having a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and exercise may help with the trouble and mental stress of this disease. We cannot eliminate the importance of medicinal support and doctors’ prescribed ways of fighting this disease, either. Having all the medical support is good, along with actively monitoring what goes in our gut.

Carrots can be helpful for our gut health. So knowing they can help with our overall health, and our weight, perhaps a carrot a day might just help keep the doctor away.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ProstateCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
Our grandkids now have classes in grade school, high school and college on the importance of good nutrition. I'm so grateful they've added these courses as part of the curriculum. When I grew up, learning about nutrition wasn't taught in any classroom. Medical science has learned so much since then (yes, I'm old!) and I'm glad the health/nutrition connection is being taught to the next generation. Maybe they can avoid some of the diseases that have hit so many in past years.
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Sue Franke" user-id="4506969"/> , I am also old, LOL!! You are right, in the old days they didn't talk much about nutrition at all. Everything was made from scratch and none of it was healthy. I agree with you so much on the nutrition part. Our generation could probably have avoided so many illnesses just by getting rid of LARD!! My father is 88 and he still makes salmon cakes from scratch and fried potatoes. This is one of his favorite meals. Diane, Team Member 
1. Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Diane Talbert" user-id="3268418"/> Just a quick update to prior comments....we just planted our garden (in Indiana you start in mid May) and carrots have a predominant place in our vegetable medley. It will take a couple months before our carrots and other veggies are ready, but I look forward to some healthy eating come later summer.
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Sue Franke" user-id="4506969"/> , Those were the good ole days, working in the garden. We do plant a couple of things like tomatoes and green beans. I'm with you, healthier eating!! There's nothing like the taste of homegrown tomatoes. Take care, Diane
Jim Early Moderator & Contributor
We have so many epidemiologic studies that strongly suggest the connection between diet and cancer. UCLA had a recent conference with Dr. David Heber discussing the interaction of diet and cancer with a focus on prostate cancer. It is hard to pin down the exact role of nutrition in any individuals cancer but, like smoking, poor nutrition is clearly related to many cancers including prostate cancer. There is usually a financial incentive to studying medications, especially newly discovered or formulated meds. Foods and diet, on the other hand, lack a major research financial base except for the NIH and certain private research foundations. Trying to identify exact dietary compliance in a population or cohort over a long period of time is very difficult and, if doable, incredibly expensive. We are often left with unresearched "snake oil" products that make millions for the marketers but have little or no science behind them or proof of their effectiveness. This brings us back to the big epidemiologic studies that pretty clearly guide us to adding a lot of plant based fruits and vegetables to our diet. Given that a plant heavy diet also is very beneficial for preventing and treating heart disease (still our #1 killer) it only makes sense to get at least 1-2 fruits and 3-5 vegetables in our daily diet. I keep a white board on the side of my refrigerator and I record my steps (averaging over 12000/day) and the numbers of fruits and vegetables daily. I know it is a bit OCD, but I'm proud of the effort and happy maintaining my weight and feeling pretty darn good at 76 even while on my ADT (androgen deprivation therapy) for metastatic prostate cancer!
1. Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Jim Early" user-id="4566171"/> That's a great way to keep track of what you're doing for your health through nutrition and exercise. I've worn a step tracking device for almost 8 years now and it encourages me to keep up with my steps. I like your idea of recording the number of fruits and veggies you eat daily and may start that myself. I had used a nutrition program and recorded everything I ate and it reported on vitamin content, cholesterol, protein, etc., which is helpful. But it was a pain to do and I stopped. I think I'll go with keeping a list on the refrigerator. In addition to being easy, it's right in front of me as a reminder.
alan226 Member
The trouble is people want the easy way out and big pharma realizes that. Why make a lifestyle change when you can pop a pill. Too inconvenient. I'm not against pharmaceuticals BTW. Sometimes you can't out run genetics and need help. I average 16,000 steps a day, am an avid runner, haven't eaten red meat in 20 years, don't use alcohol to excess, eat tons on veggies. Yet I have prostate cancer, am on 3 BP meds (since I was 30) and have an ascending aortic aneurism. Sometimes you can't outrun your genes or your environment. LOL, I can't imagine what I would be like if I didn't take care of myself....
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="alan226" user-id="4701455"/> <inline-mention username="Jim Early" user-id="4566171"/> , You all inspire me so much and make me want to do better. Your right, it's easier to just take a pill. I have diabetes and my doctor always tells me to eat right and exercise. I looked at my father who is almost 90. He didn't stop working until he was 82. I had to make him. The one thing he does to this day is eat right and walked everyday. He makes me tired. I am so proud of you all. Keep up the good work. Diane (Team Member)