5 Nutritional Guidelines for Men with Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men and the most common cause of cancer death in male non-smokers. Although most cases progress slowly and may never become clinically apparent but it needs to be treated as early as possible to reduce its further spread. Some of the symptoms include dysuria, difficulty voiding, urinary frequency and retention, and hematuria.

The impact of diet on prostate cancer is actively being researched and studies revealed that low-fat, plant-based diets may be helpful, presumably due to their beneficial effects on hormonal concentrations and body weight. Red meat, processed meats, and foods high in fats are not good for those with prostate cancer. Now, read below 5 nutritional guidelines for men with prostate cancer:

• Eat antioxidant-rich fruits and cruciferous vegetables: Get at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, including lots of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. And add a lot of antioxidant-rich fruits, such as berries, cherries, plums, red grapes, and prunes. Another healthy option for men with prostate cancer is cooked tomatoes. Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene which is more readily available for the body to absorb when it is cooked.
• Increase fish intake: Increase your fresh fish intake, which is high in the very beneficial alpha omega-3 fatty acids which is healthy for men with prostate cancer. Ideally, cold-water fish is recommended such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout, at least two to three times a week. The fish should be poached, baked, or grilled, and avoid fried fish.
• Avoid high-fat foods: You need to eat some fat for your body to function properly. But eating too much fat can make you put on weight, which raises your risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Replacing animal fats (like cheese) with vegetable oils (like olive oil) may help men with prostate cancer to live for longer.
• Limit the consumption of animal protein: Diets high in red meat, dairy products, and animal fat have frequently been connected with the development of prostate cancer in men. Red meat (such as beef, pork) is particularly tied to aggressive prostate cancer. Plant-based proteins like beans, flax, and nuts contain quercetin and lignans that suppress the growth of many kinds of cancer including prostate cancer and it should be consumed instead of animal protein.
• Keep a check on sugar intake: Limit the amount of simple sugar in your diet. High-sugar foods are usually highly processed and refined, low in nutritive value, and low in fibre content. Also, these foods appear to increase serum insulin and serum IGF-I levels, which may stimulate cancer cell growth. Avoid sweets such as candy, cookies, pastries, and pies.

Over to you:

Choose minimally processed foods and include healthy fats; exercise nearly every day and keep your body fat low. Switch to plant-based diets and see the overall impact on your health. Right nutritional guidance can minimize the adversity of prostate cancer, so eat healthy and stay healthy.