Though more research needs to be conducted, some experts believe a diet rich in vegetables and whole grains may help prevent prostate cancer or reduce its recurrence after treatment. Eating healthily also helps you maintain a healthy weight while providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Reduce the amount of fat you eat
Men with prostate cancer may be curious to know whether specific foods or dietary supplements can reduce their risk, improve treatment results, or both. Unfortunately, different studies have reached different conclusions in this regard and it’s often hard to know what’s beneficial or harmful depending on an individual’s situation.
Consumers should avoid diets high in saturated fat from animal sources, preferring plant-based proteins like beans and nuts instead. Fry food should also be limited, preferring lean cuts of meat and fish instead. Omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed, hemp seeds and walnuts should also be consumed regularly as these contain Omega-3s that provide essential fatty acids necessary for good health. Furthermore, dairy products, red meat, poultry skin (all sources of saturated fat), baked goods and processed foods should all be limited.
Furthermore, it’s recommended that individuals consume plenty of fibre and drink plenty of water as this will help prevent constipation, which may be an unwanted side effect of cancer treatments. It is a good idea to incorporate foods rich in fibre – fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and legumes such as peas lentils and beans are particularly good. Fish species high in mercury such as swordfish king mackerel and tilefish should also be consumed – specifically salmon, sardines trout and black cod should all be eaten more.
Many people are drawn to organic foods, which can be an excellent choice. But for maximum protection against prostate cancer risk, the best approach is avoiding junk food altogether and eating a wide range of low-fat and high-fibre options instead.
Add flavor and reduce inflammation in your meals with turmeric, garlic and ginger spice combinations, which have anti-cancer properties. Also drink green tea which contains catechins such as EGCG and epicatechin – these powerful antioxidants may protect cells against damage caused by radiation therapy and chemotherapy as well as stop healthy cells mutating into cancerous ones – seven cups per day is suggested by some experts.
Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat
Diet is vitally important to maintaining overall health, but especially during prostate cancer treatment. Eating healthily will help you achieve weight management, increase strength and energy, and minimize side effects from treatment.
Eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can help lower both cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Furthermore, cutting back on red meat intake may also lower your risk for heart disease.
Studies have demonstrated that eating too many saturated fats increases your risk for prostate cancer progression and death. This is because dietary fats promote prostate cell proliferation, leading to overgrowth of gland. Therefore, it’s advisable to switch up your menu with chicken and fish options instead of sausages and burgers.
Make an effort to incorporate more cruciferous vegetables and tomatoes into your diet, such as those containing lycopene which has been found to lower prostate cancer risks and improve outcomes following treatment. Cooked tomatoes offer maximum absorption of this substance; you may find further sources such as tomato paste, sauces, watermelons, red grapes or canned tomatoes for additional sources of this antioxidant.
Studies suggest that eating foods rich in folate may reduce your prostate cancer risk. Foods containing folate include fortified breakfast cereals and grain products, liver, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables and asparagus – you may even get it by taking folic acid supplements.
Diets rich in fiber can also help manage diarrhea, which is often an adverse side effect of external beam radiation for prostate cancer treatment. But before making changes to your diet if diarrhoea persists, consult with your healthcare provider first.
Reduce the amount of dairy products you eat
Dairy products provide essential calcium sources, yet some studies have linked milk consumption with an increased risk for prostate cancer. To decrease their risk, it is advised that men consume no more than 1500mg per day (which would equal approximately 1.6 litres of milk), but always consult your physician first before making major dietary changes or alteration to their routine diets. Oncology specialist dietitians may also offer expert guidance in regards to nutrition at any stage during treatment.
Research suggests that eating too much red and processed meat, including deli sandwiches and sausages, increases your risk of cancer including prostate cancer as well as worsens treatment outcomes once diagnosed.
Red and processed meat poses risks associated with their consumption due to high concentrations of heterocyclic amines, carcinogenic substances produced when meat is cooked at high temperatures. You can reduce risks by opting for white meat such as chicken or fish instead, or eating plant-based proteins like beans, pulses or nuts as a source of protein.
At last, drinking plenty of water is vital for cleansing your body of toxins and increasing energy. Furthermore, water helps reduce bladder problems common among men living with prostate cancer.
Diet is one of the best ways to obtain all of the nutrients your body requires for prostate health, and includes vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean proteins as essential sources. A diet consisting of these elements will provide all necessary vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help protect against cancer, heart disease and diabetes while improving general wellbeing and quality of life. A diet low in fat and sugar may help avoid obesity which has been linked with prostate cancer. Regular physical activity should also be undertaken for overall wellbeing and to maintain a healthy weight.
Eat more fish
An eating regimen rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, soy products and whole grains is essential for good health and should form part of every person’s daily lifestyle. Eating this way reduces risks such as cancers, heart disease, diabetes and obesity – improving your quality of life along the way! Plus it will keep you healthy both during treatment for prostate cancer and afterward!
Studies suggest that eating certain foods, like cruciferous vegetables and cold-water fish, may help lower the risk of prostate cancer. These foods contain substances which have been demonstrated to decrease both high-grade prostate cancer (one case control study, OR 0.85; 95% CI: 0.71 to 0.91) as well as death from prostate cancer (two cohort studies, OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.63-1.001).
Legumes can help lower your risk of prostate cancer – particularly if you are on hormone therapy – due to their content of biologically active plant compounds called phytoestrogens that have been linked with reduced risks of high-grade prostate cancer and its spread.
Consume more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and other crucifers such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and green cabbage for maximum benefit. These foods contain sulforaphane which provides protection from cancer by activating natural enzymes within our bodies to eliminate cancer cells faster. These foods should either be eaten raw or steamed – not fried as heat will destroy its protective effects on health.
Eat four servings of these veggies every week for optimal health. Broccoli has been found to both prevent prostate cancer as well as slow its rate of progression in those already living with it by slowing tumor growth. Other cruciferous veggies with high concentrations of sulforaphane include kale, mustard greens and turnips.
If you need to increase the calcium in your diet, select dairy foods with reduced levels of fat such as skim milk or 1% fat cheese. It is not advised that more than 1500mg is consumed daily – the equivalent to two portions of dairy food.
