One-third of men experience non-cancerous prostate enlargement
The prostate, a walnut-size gland located just below the bladder, is the source of many male
urinary problems, including cancer, benign enlargement, and inflammation (prostatitis) Urinary tract
infections, lifestyle habits, and a high-fat diet seem to predispose a man to some of these problems
As men age, the prostate tends to enlarge, a condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
About one-third of all men over 50 experience this noncancerous enlargement that can cause severe
obstruction of urinary flow
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among American men, and more than
28,000 American men die of the ailment per year If treated in an early stage, it is highly curable
Nutrition Connection
Follow these guidelines for better prostate health:
Mix in foods with lycopene A recent study of nearly 48,000 men found that this substance—found
in such foods as tomatoes, red grapefruit, and watermelon—appears to reduce the risk of prostate
cancer Cooking appears to release more of the lycopene in tomatoes, so tomato-based pasta sauces
and soups may be especially beneficial Lycopene is fat soluble so is better absorbed when eaten
with a little fat
Go nuts The selenium in nuts may protect against prostate cancer This antioxidant is found in
nuts, especially Brazil nuts, seafood, some meats, fish, wheat bran, wheat germ, oats, and brown rice
Seek out soy Soy products can help prevent prostate enlargement, may help protect against
prostate cancer, and may slow tumor growth This effect is attributed to isoflavones, plant chemicals
that help lower dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone that stimulates the overgrowth of prostate
tissue
Be oily A diet that is high in saturated animal fats has been linked to an increased incidence of
prostate cancer However, oily fish such as salmon, trout, and Artic char are high in omega-3 fat’s
which seem to reduce the risk of prostate cancer
Dish out plenty of veggies Vegetables from the cruciferous family such as broccoli, cabbage, and
cauliflower contain isothiocyanates, which are phytochemicals that appear to protect against cancer
Eat whole grains Whole grains offer fiber, selenium, vitamin E, and phytochemicals, all of which
play a role in the prevention of cancer
Drink plenty of fluids Anyone with an enlarged prostate should drink plenty of water and other
nonalcoholic fluids and reduce the intake of caffeine
Beyond the Diet
Some nondiet changes can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer or may slow its progress They are:
Reduce zinc intake According to research led by the National Institutes of Health, zinc takers had
twice the risk of prostate cancer
Exercise Get 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity six days a week
Reduce stress Spend a total of about an hour a day practicing stress-reduction techniques, such as
deep breathing, guided imagery, and stretching You don’t have to get all zen in one sitting Ten
minutes here and there works