The prostate is a walnut-sized gland and its function is to produce a fluid that helps in carrying sperm out of the body. Since the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) passes through the prostate, it is also involved in urine control.
Prostate cancer affects one in six men and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. It tends to develop in men over the age of fifty, though it very much affects younger men, too. It is often a slow growing and slow progressing cancer that exhibits little to no symptoms. Some symptoms are: blood in the urine, painful urination, frequent urination, increased urination at night, or having difficulty starting or maintaining a steady stream of urine.
No one really knows what causes prostate cancer but several factors such as age, genetics, lifestyle, and medication increase one's risk. As there is no certain cause, there is also no known way to prevent it. However, doctors recommend adapting a prostate-healthy lifestyle and diet, as these play a huge role in reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer. An ideal diet for a healthy prostate means:
A low-fat diet. Studies show that men who maintain a diet high in fat had an increased risk for prostate cancer. It is best to reduce the amount of fat one eats or go for low-fat options.
Eating more fruit and vegetables. A plant-based diet greatly helps in keeping PSA levels lows and the prostate healthy. Studies show that a diet high in fruits and vegetables-- particularly broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes-- decreased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Eating more protein from vegetables. Research shows that a diet rich in vegetable proteins and low in animal proteins positively affects prostate health by cutting down the time it takes for PSA levels to increase by 100 percent. Swap out meat protein with vegetable protein such as soy, beans, and legumes.
Reducing the amount of dairy products consumed. It has been shown that men who ate the most dairy products had the highest risk for prostate cancer so it is recommended to cut down on cheese, milk, and yogurt.
Eating fish. Fresh fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, cod and trout contain omega-3 (an essential fatty acid). Omega-3 has been linked to numerous health benefits and has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Drinking green tea. A study has suggested that active ingredients called polyphenols that can be found in green tea slows down progression of prostate cancer. Taking green tea capsules or consuming the tea itself may be helpful.
Limiting alcohol. While there is no clear evidence that alcohol increases the risk of prostate cancer, liquids such as alcohol, coffee, and soda are known to irritate the prostate.
Other food to avoid are: fatty meat, processed food (canned, packaged, or preserved goods), food that are high in sodium/excessively salty, and hydrogenated oils.
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