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PROSTATE PROBLEMS

FOODS THAT HEAL

  • Tomatoes and tomato products
  • Red grapefruit
  • Watermelons
  • Brazil nuts
  • Salmon
  • Trout
  • Arctic char
  • Wheat bran and wheat germ
  • Oats
  • Brown rice
  • Soy products
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Whole grains
  • Water

    FOODS TO LIMIT

  • Fatty foods, especially animal products
  • Caffeine

    WHO’S AFFECTED

  • 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