1. Diet and Lifestyle Changes
Consume the following foods and supplements and make the following lifestyle changes to help maintain optimal prostate health.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes (especially when cooked) provide lycopene, which is critical for prostate health. Research shows that high consumption of cooked tomatoes, thanks to tomato nutrition providing lycopene and other antioxidants, may play a modest role in the prevention of prostate cancer.
Wild-Caught Fish
Omega-3 foods, like wild-caught fish, reduce inflammation of the prostate. A systematic review published in Integrative Cancer Therapies indicates that researchers have found an association between higher intake of fish and decreased risk of prostate cancer-related death.
Green Tea/Hibiscus Tea
Green tea is the No. 1 beverage for anti-aging because it contains the highest level of antioxidants but now we know Hibiscus beats it. It helps promote detoxification and prostate health. Detoxification can help to treat or relieve the symptoms of prostatitis.
A study conducted at the Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening in Japan involved 49,920 men aged 40–69 who completed a questionnaire that included their green tea consumption habit for four years. The data showed that green tea consumption was associated with a dose-dependent decrease in the risk of advanced prostate cancer. The men with the lowest risk of developing prostate cancer were drinking five cups of green tea a day.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil aid prostate health thanks to their high content of carotenoids and liposoluble vitamins. Pumpkin seeds contain zinc, which acts as a diuretic to help empty the bladder, and they reduce inflammation. This can be helpful with dealing with an enlarged prostate that causes issues with urination.
Avoid High Consumption of Meat and Dairy
According to research conducted in Sweden, high consumption of dairy products and meat has been linked to a greater risk of prostate cancer. Research shows that men with higher calcium intakes had a 4.6-fold increase in prostate cancer risk compared to men with low total calcium intake. This may be due to high calcium intake suppressing levels of vitamin D, which has exhibited anticancer properties.
Studies of red meat intake are relatively consistent in showing risk ratios of 1.5 to 2.0 when comparing the highest to lowest categories of intake. This may be due to the effects of meat on hormone profiles and the possible carcinogenic effects of the compounds generated when cooking meat at high temperatures.
Physical Activity
A review conducted at Stanford University states that of all studies performed between 1976 and 2002, 16 out of 27 studies reported reduced risk of prostate cancer in men who were most active. Furthermore, in nine of those 16 studies, the reduction in risk was statistically significant. The average risk reduction ranged from 10 percent to 30 percent. Researchers believe that it’s the ability of exercise to modulate hormone levels, prevent obesity, enhance immune function and reduce oxidative stress that explains the protective benefits of exercise.
2. Supplements
Vitamin E
Vitamin E plays a role as an antioxidant in the body. Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates that there was a 32 percent decrease in the incidence of prostate cancer among participants receiving 50 milligrams of vitamin E for five to eight years.
Vitamin D
According to research conducted at Boston University School of Medicine, the association between either decreased sun exposure or vitamin D deficiency and the increased risk of prostate cancer at an earlier age, and with a more aggressive progression, indicates that adequate vitamin D nutrition should be a priority for men of all ages.
Selenium
There are a number of selenium benefits, including its ability to increase immunity, reduce the risk of cancer and increase longevity. A study conducted at the University of Arizona evaluated the effects of selenium supplementation for skin cancer prevention, and while the effects turned out to be limited, 200 micrograms of selenium a day led to a 67 percent reduction in prostate cancer.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that gives fruits and vegetables their red color. It’s most strongly activated by cooking tomatoes, but the lycopene in supplements is about as easy for the body to use as the lycopene found in food. A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in 2015 indicates that higher lycopene consumption or circulating concentration is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.
Zinc
An important zinc benefit is the role it plays in prostate health. Infection, stress and diet influence zinc levels, which are greatly reduced in those with prostate problems.
In a 2011 study published in the Indian Journal of Urology, researchers found that in prostate cancer cases, the mean tissue zinc was decreased by 83 percent as compared to normal tissue, and in BPH cases, there was a 61 percent decrease in mean tissue zinc as compared to normal tissues. Similar values were present in plasma zinc and urine zinc data, suggesting that both prostate cancer and BPH may be associated with zinc deficiency.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is known to reduce inflammation, and inflammation may lead to prostatitis and prostate cancer. A 2013 study involving 2,268 men aged 67–96 years old found that men consuming fish oil in later life had a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto can improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis, which is why it’s one of the most commonly consumed supplements by men with prostate health issues. A 2009 study published in Nutrition Research and Practice found that saw palmetto (along with pumpkin seed oil) is clinically safe and may be effective as complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of BPH.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antiviral effects. It also boosts immunity and relieves symptoms of BPH due to the compounds it contains, such as phytosterols, lignans and polysaccharides.
According to research published in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, in three clinical trials on BPH patients, nettle had a better impact in reducing patients’ clinical symptoms than the placebo. Researchers recommend nettle to be used in the treatment of BPH because of its beneficial effects in reducing symptoms and its safety in terms of its side effects.
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