One in six men will develop a growth in their prostate, a small gland at the base of the urinary bladder.  The prostate produces a fluid that becomes part of semen.  After the age of 50, the risk of prostate cancer increases rapidly.  By age 80, nearly 70 percent of men will develop prostate disease.

There are proactive steps that men can follow now to limit their likelihood of developing prostate cancer later in life.

Man eating healthy breakfast

Leading a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way of limiting prostate disease.  This includes getting sufficient daily exercise and eating a carefully balanced diet.

A prostate-healthy diet can be difficult to achieve because of the vast diversity of nutrients that the prostate needs.  Some daily multi vitamins have been developed to specifically promote a healthy prostate.

Anti-oxidants are another key to prostate health.  Anti-oxidants prevent the oxidation of free radicals within the body and have been repeatedly shown to prevent many types of cancer, including prostate cancer.  Green tea and onions are both powerful sources of anti-oxidants.

Other prostate-healthy diet considerations include:

-  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables – aim for five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.  Fruits such as watermelon, tomatoes, pink grapefruit, guava and papaya contain lycopene, a powerful anti-oxidant.  Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts are also good choices

-  Stick to low-fat foods – avoid red meats, especially high-fat and processed animal products.  Limit eggs and full-fat dairy products

-  Eat lean proteins – lean protein, such as chicken, has been shown to support a healthy prostate

-  Focus on fiber – a plant-based diet with plenty of fiber is also supportive of a healthy prostate.  Whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables are all good sources of fiber

-  Include soy – soy products, such as soy beans, soy milk and tofu, help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer

-  Selenium – although it is toxic in high levels, selenium in moderation reduces the risk of prostate cancer.  Selenium-rich foods include sunflower and sesame seeds, wheat germ, tuna, herring and other seafood and shellfish, mushrooms, beef liver, garlic and onions

-  Vitamin E – Vitamin E reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer by up to 32 percent.  Brown rice, vegetable oil, nuts and seeds are good sources of Vitamin E.

-  Green tea – EGCG, a substance present in green tea leaves, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, thus reducing the risk of prostate cancer