Foods for Prostate Health

Approximately 50 percent of men in their forties experience prostate problems while one in 11 North American men over the age of 50 will develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.

Fortunately, medical research has demonstrated that BPH and other prostate conditions and diseases can be prevented, reduced and treated by a variety of procedures, medications, herbal supplements as well as nutritional and lifestyle changes.

The right nutrition can protect the prostate and reduce the risk of disease. Early detection also increases the chance of beating prostate cancer. Physicians estimate that almost 80 per cent of all cancers can be prevented by making healthier lifestyle choices.

Foods that Prevent Prostate Disease

To reduce the risk of prostate cancer avoid saturated and trans fats and add foods that protect against cancers, such as tomatoes, soy, and green tea. Ripe tomatoes contain lycopene, a nutrient that is especially important to men because of its protective effects against prostate cancer. Unlike other nutrients, there are actually higher amounts of lycopene in cooked and processed tomatoes such as tomato sauce.

Soy contains isoflavones with specific anti-cancer activity and green tea is rich in polyphenols which prevent the formation of cancer-causing compounds and block the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Add nuts and seeds to your daily diet to significantly prevent and reduce prostate enlargement. They contain essential fatty acids and zinc, nutrients which inhibit the hormonal processes that cause swelling of the prostate. Unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed oils such as flax seed, walnut and sesame seed oil are excellent sources of essential fatty acids. Fish oil has a similar, healthy effect.

Take a daily nutritional supplement that contains high doses of the antioxidant selenium (200 micrograms) and vitamin E (800 IU). Both these supplements have been shown to dramatically lower the risk of prostate cancer.

It is no surprise that prostate cancer is more common in western, developed countries, or that its incidence rose in the turn of the century when processed food containing hydrogenated and heat-damaging fats became more available.

Herbal Supplements for Prostate Health

Extracts of two herbs, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and pygeum (Pygeum africanum) have been shown to reduce enlargement of the prostate without adverse side effects. Suggested doses are 320 milligrams of saw palmetto and 40 to 80 mg of pygeum daily. Saw palmetto extract has also been combined with an extract from the herb nettle root, to successfully treat prostate problems other than prostate cancer. Consult a physician before using natural supplements.