There are currently no guidelines as the amount of lycopene you should try to get each day. However, research indicates that for lycopene to make any difference, you would need to eat lycopene-foods all day to get the amounts needed. [4] X Research source Barber NJ, Barber J Nature Prostate and Prostatic Diseases , 2002, Vol 5 no 1 p 6-12. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale are also good defenses against the development of cancer. Some controlled studies have found a link between increased ingestion of cruciferous vegetables and reduced risk of prostate cancer, although the evidence is merely associative at this point. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source
Instead of red meat, eat fish with high levels of omega-3 acids, including salmon and tuna. These foods will help your prostate as well as your heart and immune system. The research about the relationship between dietary fish intake and prostate cancer prevention is largely based on correlative data and namely, the fact that the Japanese have so few cases of prostate cancer and eat large amounts of fish. Whether there is a causal relationship is still being debated. [7] X Research source Zhennen, Gu, Janel Suburu, Haigin, Chin et al Mechanism of Action of Omega Poly unsaturated Fatty Acids in Prostate Cancer Prevention, Biomedical Resident International 2013 824563 May 23 doi 1155/2013/824563 Beans, skinless poultry, and eggs are also healthy options for protein.
Note that recent research has found soy beans and some other specific products, such as tofu, to be preventive in prostate cancer. However, this cannot be extrapolated to all soy products, including milk. There are also no current anecdotal or evidence-based guidelines on the amount of soy you should try to incorporate into your diet. [9] X Research source Hwang, YM, Kim, SY, Jee, SH Soy food consumption and risk of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies, Nurition Cancer Journal 2009 61 ( 5) 598-606.
Avoid sugary (sometimes also caffeinated) drinks like sodas and fruit juices. These have nearly zero nutritional benefit.
When shopping, stick to the outer perimeter of the grocery store as much as possible. This is where most of the fresh food is located, while cartons, cans, and other packages tend to be isolated in the center aisles. Take the time to read and compare food labels. Most food labels are now required to state how much sodium is in a product and what percentage it makes up of your daily recommended intake of sodium. The American Heart Association recommends that Americans consume less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.
Avoid fast food and most processed foods. These often contain partially hydrogenated fats (trans fats), which are extremely unhealthy.
Take zinc supplements. Most men do not get enough zinc in their diets, and supplements can help keep your prostate healthy. Research has demonstrated that zinc deficiencies can lead to enlarged prostates and that zinc plays a role in the progression of prostate cells to malignancy. You can take 50 to 100 (or even up to 200) milligrams of zinc per day in tablet form to reduce an enlarged prostate. [15] X Research source Pamela Christudos, R Selvakumar, Joseph, Fleming. Zinc Status in Patients With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostatic Carcinoma, Indian Journal of Urology 2011 Jan-March 27 (1) 14-18. Try taking saw palmetto berry, made from the berries of the Saw Palmetto plant. This supplement has received mixed reviews from users and the medical field, so talk to your doctor before you try it. Some research has suggested that it may assist in the cytotoxicity (cell death) of human prostate cancer cells. [16] X Research source Hiroko Shimada, Varro Tyler , Jerry McMLaughlin Biologically Active Acylglycerides from Berries of Saw Palmetto Journal of Natural Products 1997, 60 (4) pp 417-418 Note that some research has suggested that taking certain supplements, such as vitamin E, or folic acid (a B vitamin) may even increase your risk of prostate cancer. Other studies has demonstrated that taking many (i. e. , more than 7) supplements, even those marked for prostate cancer, may increase the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. [17] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source
Reduce the number of calories you intake and increase the amount of exercise you do. This is the secret to weight loss. [21] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Watch portion sizes and make a concerted effort to eat slowly, savor and chew your food and stop eating when you are full. Remember that you just need to feel satiated, not stuffed to the brim. [22] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
You should aim for 30 minutes of moderate to intense exercise several days a week. However, even low to moderate exercising, like brisk walking, is beneficial for prostate health. If you’re new to exercising, start slowly by walking to work, using the stairs instead of the elevator and going on nightly walks. Build up to more intense workouts involving aerobic exercise, like cycling, swimming, or running. [25] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Tighten the muscles around your scrotum and anus for a few seconds, then release. Do this exercise in 10 repetitions three to four times a day to improve your prostate health. Try to build up to 10-second holds. You can also do Kegel exercises by lying on your back with your pelvis in the air and clenching your buttocks. Hold for 30 seconds, then release. Do this for five minute intervals three times a day.
That said, this research is still in its early stages and researchers have said that it’s too soon to yet make a formal recommendation on men’s sexual habits. It’s unclear, for example, how often a man should ejaculate to see these benefits. These researchers do suspect, however, that ejaculation frequency accompanies other indicators of a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. [28] X Research source
Note that the risk is high for men with a brother diagnosed with prostate cancer than a father. In addition, the risk is increased for those men who have multiple relatives with prostate cancer, especially if those relatives were diagnosed at a young age (e. g. , before 40). [30] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source Ask your doctor to test to see if you have mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which may increase your chances of prostate cancer. [31] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source [32] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source
However, prostate cancer is often asymptomatic, at least until it has spread to affect other parts of the body, such as the bones. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer rarely report the above symptoms of incontinence, blood in the urine, impotence, etc.
A digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be included in the screening. In this exam, a clinician will feel for a nodule on the back side of the prostate. [35] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source Neither the PSA nor the DRE is conclusive. You will likely need a biopsy to diagnose prostate cancer. [36] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source At present, the American Cancer Society recommends that men should make an informed decision about prostate screening after detailed discussion with their primary care physicians. Screening can help locate cancers early, but there is no conclusive research as to whether screening actually saves lives. That said, catching the cancer earlier increases the chance that it can be treated successfully. [37] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source
