The foods you put into your body play a role in the overall health of your prostate. Some foods such as soy products, tomatoes, beans and broccoli are recommended to keep your prostate healthy, while other foods should be avoided. There are a number of commonly consumed foods that have been linked to increased risks of prostate problems such as prostate cancer. By avoiding these foods you can lower your risks.
High-Fat Foods
Diets that contain an considerable amount of high-fat foods can negatively effect the health of your prostate. Eating foods high in saturated fat such as red meats and whole fat dairy products can increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. To reduce your risk of prostate cancer it is important to avoid these foods and keep your saturated fat intake to 10 percent of your daily calories. The majority of your fat calories should come from unsaturated fats.
Low-Fiber Foods
Eating foods that contain little to no fiber can increase your risk of prostate problems. Avoid low-fiber foods such as white bread, white pasta, white rice, white flour and white sugar. Fast food options are often low in fiber and should be avoided to keep your prostate healthy. Alternatively, a high-fiber diet can help reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer.
Milk
Milk products have been linked to higher risks of prostate cancer. Milk increases the amount of insulin-like growth factor in your blood and this increase can promote the growth of prostate cancer cells. Also, the high calcium amounts in milk can lead to deficiencies in vitamin D, and low vitamin D levels are associated with prostate cancer. To reduce your risk of prostate cancer replace your dairy milk with soy milk or forgo the use of milk altogether.
High Calcium Foods
Diets that are regularly high in calcium have been linked to increased risks of prostate cancer. To avoid prostate problems you should keep your daily calcium intake from exceeding 1,500 mg per day. If you take a multivitamin make sure the calcium amount it not increasing your calcium levels beyond what will increase your risk of prostate problems.
Alcohol
Alcohol intake should be kept to moderate levels to help keep your prostate healthy. Regular heavy drinking can increase your risk of developing the more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Avoid drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day; this will also help you avoid an enlarged prostate.
Processes Foods
Highly processed foods often contain high amounts of nutritionally deficient calories. Eating these foods on a regular basis can lead to unwanted weight gain, which can increase your risk of prostate cancer and other prostate problems such as eritical dysfunction. Also, filling up on processed foods can leave you deficient of some of the nutrients that prevent prostate cancer, such as lycopene and phytoestrogens.
References
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Milk and Prostate Cancer: The Evidence Mounts
- The Mayo Clinic: Prostate Cancer Prevention: What You Can Do
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Prostate Cancer
- The Mayo Clinic: Enlarged Prostate: Does Diet Play a Role?
- University of Michigan Health System: Prostate Cancer
Member Comments