The prostate gland helps make, store and secrete a white milky fluid called semen that contains sperm. Prostate diseases, such as cancer, infections and enlargement, become common in men after 50 years of age. Certain foods and nutrients can protect your prostate from disease. Consult your doctor about the best foods you can eat to enhance your prostate health.
Soy Foods
Soy foods are made from soy beans, a legume that contains healthy fats and all essential amino acids to make a complete protein equivalent in quality to animal protein. Soy foods also contain isoflavones, an antioxidant with estrogen-like properties that may reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Increasing isoflavone intake from soy foods is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, especially in men older than 60, according to research by scientists at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo and published in "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention" in 2007. Soy foods include tofu, miso, soy milk, tempeh and edamame.
Fish, Walnuts and Flaxseeds
Fish, walnuts and flaxseeds contain high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, are healthy fats. Research by scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and published in the "Journal of Clinical Investigation" in 2007 found that omega-3 fatty acids reduces prostate tumor growth, slows progression of cell growth and disease and increases survival.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Frequently eating tomato products is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, according to research by scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, published in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute" in 2002. Heating tomato products and oil together increase the bioavailability of lycopene, making it easier for the substance to enter your blood stream.
Vegetables
Vegetables contain high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Eating vegetables each day can enhance your prostate health and reduce the risk of disease. A high intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, may be associated with a lowered risk of aggressive prostate cancer, according to research by scientists at Cancer Care in Toronto, Canada, and published in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute" in 2007. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages you to eat plentiful amounts of vegetables each day to improve health and reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
References
- Medline Plus; Prostate Diseases; April 29, 2011
- Medline Plus; Soy; 2010
- "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention"; Soy Product and Isoflavone Consumption in Relation to Prostate Cancer in Japanese Men; Norie Kurahashi, et al.; March 2007
- "Journal of Clinical Investigation"; Modulation of Prostate Cancer Genetic Risk by Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids; Isabelle Berquin, et al.; July 2007
- "Journal of the National Cancer Institute"; A Prospective Study of Tomato Products, Lycopene, and Prostate Cancer Risk; Edward Giovannucci, et al.; March 6, 2002
- The Ohio State University; Turning Up the Heat on Tomatoes Boosts Absorption of Lycopene; 2008
Member Comments