Prostate Cancer: Tips For A Healthier Diet
Past studies have suggested that maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise may help in lowering your risk for developing prostate cancer. Maintaining a healthy diet can also help patients in preparing for and recovering from prostate cancer treatment. In some instances, your diet can also help to prevent recurrence of the disease. The foods that you choose to eat daily can impact your overall health as well as your prostate cancer risk, recovery, and survival. Below are some tips and food suggestions to help you get started towards adopting a healthier diet.
Diet Tips for Prostate Health
Eat more fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of cancer-fighting and inflammation-reducing substances such as vitamins, polyphenols, antioxidants, minerals and natural fiber. Most men simply do not consume the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. If you are working towards changing the way you eat, try to make manageable changes by including a variety of fruits and vegetables to your diet. Some examples include:
- Cruciferous vegetables (includes broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage) have phytochemicals that reduce Oxidative stress or oxygen free radicals in the body which means a lower risk of prostate cancer and its aggression
- Tomatoes are a rich source of a phytochemical called lycopene which attacks free radicals helping the body lower the risk of prostate cancer and its aggression.
- Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C and contain quercetin, a flavonoid that shows both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Limit your consumption of red meat – Previous studies have shown that diets which are high in red meat have frequently been connected with the development of prostate cancer. Red meat (such as beef, pork and lamb) in particular have been tied to aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
Eat fish – Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna or herring, all contain omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fatty acid that has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. If you don’t currently eat fish, consider replacing your red meat and adding this to your diet.
Whole Grains – Whole grains including brown rice, oatmeal, corn, whole wheat bread, barley, bulgar, kasha, millet, faro, quinoa, and more. Whole grains are great sources of fiber and magnesium and can also serve as an additional source of protein.
Drink green tea – Green tea contains polyphenols and flavonoids which are strong antioxidants. Tea is the best source of catechins which are being studied for their anti-cancer properties. Green tea has been shown to slow and/or prevent the development of prostate cancer.
Choose healthy fats – Such as olive oil, nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), and avocados. Limit saturated fats from dairy and other animal products. Avoid partially hydrogenated fats (trans fats), which are in many fast foods and packaged foods.