Nutrition and Wellness and Prostate Cancer
Can you prevent prostate cancer by diet or other means? Some research suggests that there are steps you can take that may help avert prostate cancer.
Fat in your diet is one area that may or may not be connected to prostate cancer. But a diet high in fat may be linked to an increased risk. The best way to lower your fat intake is to eat more fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy. Eating less red meat is a good start to a low fat diet. You can also cut down on your intake of oils, margarine and butter. Some research has indicated that high-temperature cooking of meats may create substances that lead to cancer. You can avoid this by roasting or poaching your foods instead of barbecuing or frying them.
Prostate cancer is a very real threat, especially for men who tend to be overweight. 25,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year, and since most of our population is overweight, this can be a causative factor.
Other than the better-known risk factors of age and heredity, diet may be the biggest cancer risk factor, and you can alter this. Your ideal waist measurement is 34 inches, and if yours is 40 or larger, especially if you’re still young, it may increase your chance of developing prostate cancer. So if you work on your waist and eat a healthy diet, this should help, as much as anything, to keep you from developing prostate cancer.
Some of the dietary changes you can make include taking daily vitamins, adding soy to your diet, and increasing your daily intake of fiber and water. Eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit, and limit the amount of dairy you eat or drink. Avoid eating red meat, increase your intake of lean protein and avoid saturated fats.
There are other prostate care plans that may help thwart the development of cancer. Get your prostate checked every year after you hit the age of 40. Stay with a diet low in fat whenever possible, and eat more cooked tomatoes and soy protein. These have been shown to possibly play a role in reducing your risk of prostate cancer.
Exercising regularly can also help to keep your weight in line, and exercise releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and relieve stress. If you smoke, stop, or at least work toward quitting. Limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol that you intake, and drink lots of water. This helps to flush out your bladder and keep it healthy.
Having regular sex can also lower your chances of contracting prostate cancer. You empty the prostate when you ejaculate. Consult your primary care physician for any supplements he may recommend that you take. These supplements, along with a healthy diet, will keep you in a low risk group for developing prostate cancer.