Say Hello to a Prostate-Friendly Diet
What you can put in your mouth to protect your prostate gland.
Though only the size of a walnut, your prostate gland can cause some big problems. When it grows too large, you can wind up with enlarged prostate, which can result in all sorts of issues involving your urination habits and urinary tract health. And if cancer sets in, the results can be deadly.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sit around and wonder if you’re going to wind up with prostate disease. By eating the right foods, you can provide maximum protection for your prostate. Though current research has not proven the absolute worth of any food on protecting your prostate health, the medical world is comfortable making the recommendations below. So read on to get the scoop on what foods to include in your prostate-protecting diet.
Hello, Fatty Fish Acids
Want better prostate protection? Your diet is going to have to get a little bit fishy. By consuming fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, you give your prostate an instant and lasting boost of protection against prostate problems. Fish to go with are those living in cold water, such as mackerel, herring, and salmon.
Goodbye, Fatty Foods
While there is nothing wrong with growing your muscles, fatty foods—especially those that are made of animal products—don’t normally do the prostate good. Rather, they give any cancerous cells just what they need to multiply and spread, making it more difficult for you to contain and treat prostate cancer. With regard to enlarged prostate, the jury is still out about whether fatty meats prevent or result in an enlarged prostate.
Hello, Vegetables
Yes, mama was onto something when she told you to eat your vegetables. Because vegetables serve to give your body the various nutrients to stay strong and fit, while also reducing your risk for all sorts of cancer. For prostate-specific protection, go with spinach, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, and beans. These foods contain vitamins and minerals that help your prostate maintain good health. As the highest level of protection against enlarged prostate comes with five or more servings of veggies a day, don’t let up on your vegetable consumption!
Goodbye, Unhealthy Snacks
Fried chicken, pickled beets, and salty potato chips may be just what your taste buds are calling for, but you should ignore their pleading. Why? Because giving into these desires will increase your waistline and promote the production of prostate cancer cells within your body.
Hello, Zinc-Rich Foods
Ready to give your prostate another layer of protection from the threat of enlarged prostate? You’ll need to beef up on your zinc intake. Though you can get it in a tablet, the best sources are baked beans, crab, oysters, lamb, duck, and lean meat. In addition to protecting against an enlarged prostate, zinc may prevent your prostate from damage that leads to prostate cancer.
Tip: Remember Moderation
No matter if you’re eating or drinking, prostate protection and your overall good health depends on moderation. So when you begin jamming your diet full of prostate-protecting foods, don’t begin eating more calories than you can use in a day. For most people, this is approximately 2,000 calories. If you’re unsure how many calories you should be eating, talk with an exercise or nutrition expert.
Additionally, you’ll need to watch your alcohol intake, as excessive drinking may increase your likelihood for prostate cancer. However, two alcoholic drinks per day may actually lower your risk for enlarged prostate, so you shouldn’t put away the alcohol altogether. Just take it easy and avoid excessive drinking at all costs.
