Saturated Fat

AvoidCaution

2 studies · 2 recommendations

Last updated: February 14, 2026

Avoid1 studies

High saturated fat intake linked to increased advanced prostate cancer risk

A systematic review of 46 studies found consistent epidemiologic evidence that habitual consumption of a diet high in saturated fat is associated with increased risk for advanced prostate cancer. Reducing saturated fat intake may help lower the risk of clinically significant, potentially fatal prostate cancer.

Evidence

Dietary factors and risk for advanced prostate cancer

Authors: Gathirua-Mwangi, Wambui G., Zhang, Jianjun

Published: March 1, 2014

A systematic review of 46 papers published through September 2012, identified from PubMed, evaluated the relationship between dietary factors and advanced, metastatic, or lethal prostate cancer. Epidemiologic studies consistently showed that habitual consumption of a diet high in saturated fat is associated with increased risk for advanced prostate cancer. Both case-control and cohort study designs contributed to this finding, though cohort studies yielded somewhat mixed results overall. The association between saturated fat and advanced disease was among the most consistent dietary findings across the reviewed literature.

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Caution1 studies

Limit high-cholesterol dietary intake to lower aggressive prostate cancer risk

Since elevated plasma cholesterol is linked to high-grade prostate cancer, reducing dietary cholesterol through limiting saturated fats, processed meats, and other cholesterol-raising foods may be a prudent strategy for men concerned about prostate cancer risk.

Evidence

Cholesterol and the risk of grade-specific prostate cancer incidence: evidence from two large prospective cohort studies with up to 37 years' follow up

Authors: A Jemal, AG Renehan, AM Mondul, AM Mondul, Carole Hart, CL Hart, CL Hart, DA Lawlor, David S Morrison, DM Boudreau, DR Browning, E Giovannucci, EA Platz, EA Platz, EL Korn, F Bravi, F Bray, G Davey Smith, G Davey Smith, GD Batty, General Register Office, Hing Leung, HM Van, HY Oh, J Green, JD Kark, JD Neaton, Kashif Shafique, Khaver Qureshi, KM Dale, L Zhuang, L Zuccolo, LE Johns, LJ Schouten, MH Hager, MJ Resnick, ML Turley, MM Thompson, MR Freeman, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, P Knekt, PD Baade, Philip McLoone, RA Hiatt, RM White, TE Strandberg, VM Hawthorne, WA Sakr, Y Ben-Shlomo

Published: January 1, 2012

In a cohort of 12,926 men with up to 37 years of follow-up, higher baseline plasma cholesterol was significantly associated with high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason ≥8, n=119). The hazard ratio for men in the 4th cholesterol quintile (6.1 to <6.69 mmol/l) versus the lowest quintile (<5.05 mmol/l) was 2.28 (95% CI 1.27-4.10). The association persisted after adjusting for BMI, smoking, and socioeconomic status. Notably, elevated cholesterol was not associated with overall prostate cancer risk but specifically with aggressive disease, suggesting metabolic risk factor reduction could target the most dangerous form of the disease.

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