Diet for a Healthy Prostate

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:47:01 +0000

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

Proactive Lifestyle Choices for a Healthy Prostate

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:32:02 +0000

One in six men will develop a growth in their prostate. After the age of 50, the chance of developing the disease increases rapidly, and by age 80, almost 70 percent of men will have developed some level of prostate cancer.

The risk of developing prostate cancer later in life can be limited through healthy, proactive lifestyle choices made now.

Despite tireless research, the exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. African American males and men with a family history of prostate disease have an increased risk for developing prostate cancer.

Middle-Aged Man Playing Soccer

Medical experts have compiled a list of proactive lifestyle suggestions that should be implemented now to help men beat the odds of developing prostate cancer later in life. These suggestions are the result of promising early results from prostate cancer research.

These suggestions include:

- Maintain a healthy body weight – stay physically fit with sufficient exercise and by eating a balanced diet

- Don’t forget your fruits and veggies – eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava, papaya and tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that promotes prostate health. Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale and bok choy are also good choices

- Eat a low-fat diet – this includes limiting the intake of red meat, processed meats, eggs and dairy products

- Get enough fiber – eating a plant-based diet helps, including fruits, vegetables and whole-grain breads and cereals

- Include more soy in your diet – soy nuts, soy flour, tofu and soy powders are all rich in soy

- Make time for tea – drinking green tea has been shown in preliminary studies to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. EGCG, a substance found in green tea leaves, is thought to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, thus preventing cancer

- Avoid alcohol and tobacco – quitting smoking (or chewing tobacco) alone can cut the risk of developing prostate cancer by 40 percent

- Take your vitamins – Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 32 percent. Brown rice, vegetable oil, wheat germ, nuts and seeds are all good sources of Vitamin E. Selenium, a trace mineral, has also been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Although selenium is toxic in high levels, you can get sufficient amounts of the mineral by eating fish, whole grains and meat

- Get screened – starting at age 40, men should be routinely screened for prostate cancer

Prostate Health » diet

Diet for a Healthy Prostate

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Proactive Lifestyle Choices for a Healthy Prostate

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