An overall balanced, healthy diet is good for any man or woman, but you can alter your diet specifically to help prevent prostate problems. By adding or eliminating certain foods in your diet, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing problems like prostate cancer; benign prostatic hyperplasia, or "BPH"; and related conditions. Consult your doctor or a dietitian before changing your diet to prevent prostate problems.
Foods to Add
Certain foods might reduce your risk of developing prostate conditions. For example, adding plenty of tomatoes to your diet can reduce your chances of prostate cancer due to their high content of an antioxidant called lycopene, says the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS). According to a test-tube study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer in 1995, lycopene can suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain several constituents that have potential anticancer effects for your prostate, and adding at least three servings per week of these vegetables can reduce your prostate-cancer risks.
Also, adding vegetables that are high in vitamin C like Brussels sprouts, kale and bell peppers can lower your risk of BPH, the Mayo Clinic notes. The same action is possible in adding high-fiber foods and foods that are high in zinc, such as oysters, lean beef and baked beans. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and the isoflavones in soy may help protect you from prostate cancer as well.
Foods to Avoid
Consuming high-fat foods has been linked to prostate cancer, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Therefore, you should consume only low-fat meats and dairy products, to reduce your risk of prostate problems. An overall low-fat diet is associated with a reduced risk of BPH as well, the Mayo Clinic says. Conversely, a high-fat diet and being overweight or obese increases your prostate-cancer risk, according to a 1986 study in the British Journal of Cancer and a 1997 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. You should also avoid foods that are high in alpha-linolenic acid, or "ALA," which is associated with increased prostate-cancer risks, notes the UMHS. ALA is found in meats and some nuts, as well as soybean, flaxseed and canola oils. Limiting your consumption of meats in particular can reduce your ALA intake.
Considerations
Keep in mind that all men are at risk for developing prostate problems. You should have regular exams and screenings for prostate conditions like prostate cancer and BPH, particularly if you have certain risk factors. These risk factors include being over the age of 50, African American, obese or exposed to environmental pollutants like cadmium. Other risk factors include having a vasectomy, a sexually transmitted disease, or a family history or genetic predisposition of prostate problems, particularly prostate cancer, says the UMMC.
Other Preventive Measures
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or beer may increase your prostate-cancer risks as well, notes the UMHS. But conservative alcohol consumption, particularly drinking two glasses of alcohol daily, has been linked to reduced BPH risks, the Mayo Clinic points out. Being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight with no fat around your stomach can also lower your chances of having prostate problems. Taking supplements of selenium and vitamin E may also help prevent prostate conditions.
Warnings
Prior to making any major changes in your diet, you should talk with your doctor or a dietitian. Certain dietary changes that may help prevent prostate problems might interfere with other health conditions. If you feel that you're at risk for prostate problems, ask your physician about dietary or other preventive measures that are right for you.
