Prostate cancer is quite commonly diagnosed in the country. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 9 men may suffer from the condition in their lifetime. While the risk is high in men above the age of 65, in some rare cases, a diagnosis is possible before the age of 40. But keep in mind that approximately 2.9 million men in the country diagnosed with prostate cancer are alive today. Based on recent survival rates, many can battle the condition with proper care, treatment, and nutrition.
There are ways to manage the condition, reduce its risk, and improve longevity. Nutrition forms an important part of any cancer treatment. A proper diet helps reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer in the first place. This article discusses the type of foods to eat and to avoid maintaining a healthy prostate.
Foods for a healthy diet
- Lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables – Research suggests that red fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and tomato-based products are rich in lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that lowers the risk of prostate cancer. Tomato forms a crucial part of several anti-cancer diets and is easy to incorporate in your daily diet. You can dice tomatoes and used it in a healthy salad, or puree the same to form the base of gravies and other recipes. You can also use red bell peppers, carrots, pomegranates, and grapefruits, all of which are rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants.
- Cruciferous vegetables – Cabbage, kale, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower are essential cruciferous vegetables that must form part of a prostate cancer friendly diet. Why do you ask? The answer is simple. One of the main components of cruciferous vegetables is indole-3-carbinol, an active cancer-fighting substance. Its main function is to interfere and stop the growth of cancerous cells in the body. This gives the body an opportunity to literally stop cancer affected cells from infecting healthy cells in the vicinity. Your immune system will be in a much better position to ward off the attack of cancer affected cells with the inclusion of cruciferous vegetables in the daily diet.
- Foods rich in carotenoids – Sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, winter squash, carrots, and other dark green leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants called carotenoids. You can roast sweet potatoes, and make sweet potato gratin, sweet potato bread, or simple sweet potato baked chips. It is very easy to include this carotenoid-rich vegetable in your daily diet. Doctors recommend at least one serving of these veggies in your daily diet to help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Food to avoid
- Red and processed meats – Research suggests that consumption of red and processed meats is not advisable for colorectal and prostate cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends no more than 8 ounces of red meat per week! You’ll be surprised to know that a typical McDonald’s meat patty can have anything between 3 to 5 ounces of processed meat. This means a couple of burgers will make up the entire quota of red and processed meat determined safe for consumption. It is necessary to actively reduce the risk of cancer and increase longevity through a healthier plant-based diet in place of animal proteins. Other red meats to avoid include lamb, beef, and pork source of animal protein and fat.
- Saturated animal fats – You must also stick to just a single serving of egg yolk, whole milk, butter, and other sources of saturated animal fat on a daily basis. Just like processed meat, processed animal fats can increase the risk of prostate cancer, which is why these foods must be consumed in moderation.
