Foods To Avoid: Red Meat
A juicy steak, a Sunday roast or some Italian meatballs are just a few popular dinner choices that make use of red meat however, if these are some of your favourites then I have some bad news â they wonât help the health of your prostate!
The problem with red meat is that it elevates levels of arachidonic acid in your body and this, in turn, increases inflammation â the very thing your enlarged prostate does not need! The more inflammation present in your body generally, the more likely you are to have inflammation in the prostate. Therefore, avoiding or limiting your intake of foods which trigger an inflammatory response is a good place to start when dealing with the problem.
The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to red meat that wonât cause such issues including fish. Why not swap that Sunday roast for a tasty fish stew?
If this doesnât take your fancy though, simply have a look at our Recipe Hub for some cooking inspiration. Our Healthy Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas is extremely popular, as is our Trout with Creamy Potato Salad.
When cooking from scratch, beans also make a good alternative to meat, plus they happen to be high in protein and fibre.
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Foods For Prostate Health
5 Foods for Prostate Health
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland thats an important part of the male reproductive and urological system. Men 50 and over, in particular, are more likely to experience frequent urination and other issues if this gland becomes large enough to place pressure on the bladder or its adjacent urethra. There is a general consensus within the health community that making smart food choices, like the five ones suggested below, may reduce the risk of developing prostate issues later in life.
1. Berries
Strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, in particular, are loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C. A boost in antioxidants can fend off the free radicals that can affect healthy cells in the prostate. Vitamin C may reduce the risk of prostate enlargement .
2. Broccoli and Other Cruciferous Veggies
Cruciferous vegetables are ones that come from a certain plant species. These veggies are good for prostate health because they have natural anticancer properties referred to as phytonutrients sulforaphane and indoles. While cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and collards all have these properties, broccoli may reduce stage III and IV prostate cancer risk by nearly 50 percent, according to recent research.
3. Fatty Fish
4. Green Tea
5. Plant-Based Proteins
Red Meat And Processed Meat
A diet high in meat, particularly if its cooked well-done, may be associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This may be due to heterocyclic amines . These are carcinogens found in cooked meat. HCAs have been linked to the development of several cancers.
HCAs are compounds formed during high temperature cooking such as broiling or grilling. The suggests that both red and processed meats may be associated with increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Examples include:
- beef
Instead of red or processed meats, try these protein sources instead:
- lean poultry, like skinless turkey or chicken
- fresh or canned fish, such as tuna, salmon, or sardines
- beans and legumes, like split peas, chickpeas, lentils, pinto beans, and kidney beans
- nuts and nut butters
If youre a fan of cold cut sandwiches, try making a chicken salad sandwich instead. You can also experiment with meat alternatives, like tofu or tempeh, which can be marinated and sautéed to create a flavorful sandwich filling.
You may also experiment with eating meat-free for some meals or days of the week. Here are some ideas to try:
- Replace the meat in your favorite chili or stew with beans.
- Grill up fish fillets instead of steaks.
- Make a black bean burger instead of a hamburger.
- Dice up tofu and marinate it in your favorite sauce, then stir fry it and mix it with veggies and a side of rice.
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The Best Chocolate For Cancer Patients
You guessed it dark chocolate is the one, offering many benefits to both healthy individuals and those who are battling cancer.
Before we discuss how and why dark chocolate is good for you, please keep in mind that we are only talking about dark chocolate here. Do not begin shoving Hersheys milk chocolate kisses in your face and telling everyone, New Hope Unlimited said I should eat more chocolate. No, New Hope Unlimited is sharing the health benefits of dark chocolate, and we recommend consulting your doctor before reintroducing this indulgent treat to your body.
How Dark Chocolate Benefits Cancer Patients
Here are the proven health benefits of dark chocolate or cocoa:
Phytochemicals are bioactive nutrient plant chemicals found in fruits, veggies, grains, and other edible plants that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Cocoa is a rich source of phytochemicals, which, according to a recent study, may help prevent tumor growth and decrease the production of cancer-related hormones.
In simpler terms, free radicals can damage our DNA, leading to mutations that increase the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.
Is There A Prostate Cancer Diet
WebMD expert and urologist Sheldon Marks, MD, shares his thought on how men can help prevent prostate cancer through nutrition.
When you’re being treated for cancer, it’s more important than ever to eat right and get adequate nutrition — but it can also be more difficult than ever to adhere to a balanced cancer diet. Your body is working overtime to fight the cancer, while it’s also doing extra duty to repair healthy cells that may have been damaged as a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. At the same time, many cancer treatments — especially chemotherapy — come with side effects that drain your strength and sap your appetite. So how can you make sure you’re getting all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals you need to keep a balanced cancer diet?
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Tips To Prevent Prostate Cancer
cancer among men in the United States. About 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
The risk of developing prostate cancer progressively increases with age. About 60 percent of all prostate cancers in the United States are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older. It is rare for men to develop prostate cancer before age 40.
Theres no absolute prostate cancer prevention, but evidence suggests diet plays a key role. Keep reading for diet tips and more information.
Foods To Avoid When Considering Prostate Health
Just as with foods that might help you prevent prostate cancer, Dr. Gill says that information about what foods to avoid is also a bit uncertain.
The biggest challenge with studying the impact of diet on medical conditions, like prostate cancer, is that things often happen at a glacial speed, very slowly compared to studying other things, like the impact of a medication on blood pressure, he says. If you wanted to see the effects of diet on prostate cancer development, youd really need to follow subjects for at least 15 to 20 years, if not longer.
Still, theres evidence that points to certain foods being bad news. What we do know about avoiding prostate cancer is similar to avoiding colorectal cancer and heart disease, he adds. Those dietary risks include:
- Too much red meat.
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Issues Concerning The Prostate Gland
Due to its location the prostate can affect urination and sexual functions.
- Prostatitis is an inflammation or infection which causes burning and pain during urination, the urgent need to urinate, and painful ejaculation.
- BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia is the enlargement of the prostate. Men find it difficult to urinate because the prostate is pressing on the urethra. It is believed 75% of men over 60 suffer with this condition.
Avocados #5 Best Foods For Prostate Health
Researchers say that avocados contain high levels of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytonutrients that can prevent and reduce certain kinds of cancer. These nutrients may help to reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. They may also protect the body from the effects of chemotherapy, and they can help regulate blood pressure. Its not just a healthy snack for your health. You can even eat avocados in moderation and improve your health.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition and Health has found that avocado consumption reduces fecal bile acid concentrations and increases bacterial diversity. The higher the concentration of bile acid, the greater the risk of colon cancer. However, avocados contain a mix of both lutein and lycopene, which work together to limit prostate cancer growth. Its the combination of these two compounds that is causing the cancer cells to shrink and die, and this is one of the benefits of eating avocados.
Research has also found that eating avocados can increase absorption of carotenoids in salad and salsa. Consuming avocados as part of a healthy diet increases absorption of carotenoids. Although the benefits of eating avocados are derived from its monounsaturated fat, its still a good idea to drink plenty of water when youre preparing a salad. The healthy fats in avocados help keep your body healthy, and your immune system strong and your skin hydrated.
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How To Add More Legumes And Soybeans To Your Diet
To add more legumes and soybeans to your diet, consider swapping meat for plant protein in at least some meals. This could mean trying Meatless Mondays or moving toward a plant-based diet.
Try making a black bean burger with lots of veggies. Alternatively, homemade hummus made with blended chickpeas makes a delicious dip for vegetables or whole grain bread.
Finally, tofu is an excellent source of soy. Try flavoring tofu with sauces and baking it or browning it on the stove, or adding it to stir-fries.
Summary
Tomatoes #1 Best Foods For Prostate Health
Tomatoes are one of the best foods for prostate health. It contains high amounts of lycopene, a carotenoid that protects against free radicals. It has been linked to prostate health and may slow down the progression of prostate cancer. Tomatoes also contain selenium, another mineral that is linked to prostate health. Tomatoes are also high in antioxidants such as vitamin C and zinc, which may also help improve overall prostate health.
The carotenoids found in tomatoes help protect the skin from sun damage. A 2006 study found that tomato consumption reduced sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation after 10-12 weeks. However, a high fiber intake should still be accompanied by a low sodium intake. Tomatoes also contain vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting and wound healing. These nutrients may benefit the heart and bones. They can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The fruit is rich in potassium and can reduce the risk of developing the disease. Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin K and are rich in fiber. They are a great food for cancer prevention. Just one cup of cherry tomato has about two grams of fiber. The American Diabetes Association recommends getting 25 g of fiber each day for women and 38 g for men. They can be grown from seed in a greenhouse.
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Bottom Line: To Lower Your Risk Of Prostate Cancer Eat More Plant
One caveat: Dont think that eating more plants alone will give you a pass from hitting the gym. The combo of exercise and a healthy plant-based diet, plus maintaining a healthy weight, offer the most potent protection against prostate cancer, Siddiqui says.
For more great expert advice, visit The Beet’s Health & Nutrition articles.
How To Maintain Proper Prostate Health
Reviewed by Tracy Gapin, MD
Prostate canceris the second leading cause of cancer death in men living in the United States, with an estimated 180,890 new cases and 26,120 deaths from prostate cancer in 2016. Those are scary numbers, and besides cancer, there are a number of other prostate health problems that can become an issue as men age. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is said to affect 90 percent of men at the age of 70, and prostatitis is the most common reason for men under the age of 50 to see a urologist. Clearly, prostate health is an important issue, and education is one of the best ways to stay healthy.
With diet and lifestyle changes, you can reduce the risk of developing prostate health issues. And if youre already dealing with some of these problems, there are herbs and supplements that can help you to reduce inflammation, fight prostate enlargement and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
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Dairy Including Whole Milk And Cheese
Specific foods may impact your risk and the highest-risk foods appear to be animal products. Although the data supporting plant-based diets on reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer, or for improving prognosis once diagnosed, is limited, several dietary factors including intake of processed red meat, eggs, whole milk, and saturated fat have been associated with increased risk of prostate cancer progression or mortality, says Stacey A. Kenfield, Sc.D., associate professor of urology at the University of California San Francisco.
Take, for instance, one study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a high intake of dairy products, including milk and cheese, increased the risk for prostate cancer. Men who consumed 2.5 servings or more of dairy products per day had an increased risk versus men consuming half a serving of dairy or less than that a day.
How To Add More Pomegranate Juice To Your Diet
You can buy pomegranate juice at most grocery stores. If drinking the juice plain is too intense, consider diluting it with plain water or adding some sparkling water.
You can also add pomegranate seeds to homemade salad dressing to sweeten up your favorite salad.
Summary
Pomegranates are high in antioxidants. Animal and test-tube studies have shown that pomegranate juice could inhibit the production of some prostate cancer cells.
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Choose The Mediterranean Diet
A healthy diet for everyone, the Mediterranean diet is especially beneficial for prostate health.
Fresh vegetables, fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil, and fresh fruits, along with whole grains are all heart healthy and prostate healthy. Nuts and avocados are better than carbs and fatty foods, therefore reduce the amount of red meat and processed foods.
One tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or Italian dressings reduce insulin levels and inflammations.
The Best And Worst Foods For Prostate Health
Think of your closest nine male friends, classmates, or coworkers. Now consider this: At least one of them will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in his lifetime. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among menso common, in fact, that every three minutes, another man is diagnosed with the disease in the US, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Yet dont let that news scare you, as prostate cancer, like other hormonally sensitive cancers, is preventable. Something most people dont know is that 90 percent of cancers are caused by non-hereditary issues, says A. Daniyal Siddiqui, M.D., medical director of the Saint Vincent Cancer and Wellness Center, part of Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass., and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
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The Bottom Line: Be Proactive
Regardless of your diet but, really, keep it healthy! the best thing you can do is be aware of your personal risk factors for prostate conditions and consult with your doctor on how to monitor or address these. Some of the risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age: Men over the age of 55 are more at risk and over half of prostate cancer cases occur in men over the age of 65.
- Family history: Know which other men in your family have had prostate cancer and which women have had breast cancer.
- Obesity: Again, a healthy diet can have a big impact.
- Smoking.
Besides regular exercise and a healthy diet, be sure to talk to your doctor about regular prostate screenings. Early detection is key, so keep these risk factors and potential symptoms in mind and consult your doctor regularly to put yourself in the best position for early detection.
Screening for prostate cancer is simple and only involves an office visit, physical exam and blood test. And its a condition that, if detected on routine screening, can often be treated and cured.
How Does Diet Affect Urological Health
The male urinary system consists of many important organs aside from the prostate. The kidneys, ureter, Vas Deferens the tube that is modified during a vasectomy, bladder, urethra, testicles, and penis make up the male urinary structure from top to bottom.
Eating a healthy diet can help the urinary system prevent bacteria, inflammation, and decrease the acidity levels within your urine. These issues, especially if chronic, can lead to many serious health concerns that men of all ages must stay on top of. Again, prevention is key in this case.
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