Enlarged prostate, known medically as a benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH, is a condition affecting men older than 40. It's the result of hormonal changes associated with aging. If you suffer from BPH, eating more vegetables -- especially vitamin C-rich vegetables -- can help improve your prostate health. Diets do not replace medication.
The Link Between Vegetables, Diet and BPH
According to a study published in the February 2008 issue of Medical News Today by Kristal and colleagues, there's a strong correlation between a nutritious, low-fat, vegetable-based diet and enlarged prostate. The diet of more than 4,000 participants was evaluated during the study. The authors found that four or more servings of vegetables consumed daily decreased the risk of prostate enlargement by 32 percent, and high-fat diets increased the risk of this condition by 38 percent. Moderate alcohol intake also decreased significantly the risk of developing BPH.
Johns Hopkins Medicine indicates that overweight men have increased chances of developing this condition, and obese men are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from BPH compared with normal weight men. By increasing the consumption of vegetables, a person usually eats fewer fats and weight is improved.
Vitamin C-Rich Vegetables
According to the Mayo Clinic, diet plays an important role in prostate health, and vegetal sources of vitamin C are associated with lower risk of enlarged prostate. Vitamin C-rich vegetables include green leafy vegetables, sweet peppers, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, green peas and tomatoes.
Certain herbs and spices such as alfalfa, fenugreek and cayenne pepper are also good sources of vitamin C. Vegetables should be consumed fresh as often as possible, because cooking significantly decreases the amount of vitamin C from foods.
Juicing
Fresh vegetable juices are a great source of nutrients and phytochemicals that are good for everyone to improve overall health. To keep the prostate healthy, Siegfried Gursche, author of "Juicing for the Health of It," recommends a juice based on one head butter lettuce, combined with six asparagus stalk and six carrots and water to be consumed daily.
Considerations
Although vegetables are important for people with enlarged prostate, a nutritious diet should also include fruits, grains and lean meats. Avoid tobacco, excessive alcohol and caffeine. Drinking eight 8-oz. glasses of filtered water daily, as well as increasing the level of exercise, can also help keep your prostate healthy.
Consult a nutritionist to recommend an individualized diet, as well as possible herbal supplements.
References
- Medical News Today: What's Good For The Heart May Be Good For The Prostate
- MayoClinic: Enlarged prostate --- Does diet play a role?
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Lose Weight To Avoid BPH
- "Juicing For The Health Of It"; Siegfried Gursche; 2002
