Prostate Health
By
Richard Romando
Diet and lifestyle play important roles in keeping
the prostate healthy. Food and the environment
influence the way the body functions. The body has
natural defenses against allowing normal cells to
become cancerous and allowing cancer cells to
grow. Ingestion of certain nutrients may decrease
the chances of developing prostate cancer or
reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Certain
nutrients may also slow down the progression of
the disease.
Adopting certain dietary changes is an important
step towards better prostate health. Obesity is
known to increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Research shows that prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
test results in obese men can be lower despite the
presence of disease, potentially leading to a
delay in diagnosis and treatment. The recovery
from surgery tends to be longer and more difficult
and the risk of death due to prostate cancer can
be higher.
Weight management is essential for good prostate
health. Regular exercise is necessary to maintain
muscle strength and endurance. An increase in the
intake of vegetables and nuts can prove
beneficial. Tomatoes, watermelons, pink
grapefruits, guava and papaya contain lycopene, a
naturally occurring chemical. Lycopene is a
powerful antioxidant that help protect the body
against cancer.
Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
and Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, a
compound that increases activity of proteins and
clears out carcinogens from the body. Carcinogens
are substances known to cause cancer and are
ingested into our body on a regular basis.
Isoflayones found in soy and polyphenols found in
green tea, interrupt the growth pathways of cancer
cells. Asian men are known to consume soy and
green tea regularly and hence are at a lesser risk
of being afflicted with prostate cancer.
Vitamins and minerals in food help regulate many
of the body’s processes and functions. They help
monitor the balance between cancer cell growth and
cancer cell death. Research over the years has
shown that the loss of vitamins and minerals
contribute to uncontrolled cancer cell growth. An
increase in the intake of foods rich in vitamins
and minerals like lettuce, cereals, citrus fruits,
milk and carrots, help reduce the risk of prostate
cancer. Since men lose zinc during every seminal
emission, their need for the mineral is higher
than a woman's. Pumpkin seeds, oysters and
shellfish are good sources of zinc. Following
these simple dietary tips ensures good prostrate
health.
Prostate provides detailed information on Prostate, Prostate Cancer, Prostate Health, Prostate Cancer Treatment and more. Prostate is affiliated with Prostate Cancer Treatments.
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