Maintaining good prostate health is as easy as eating the right foods!
Posted on February 17, 2009
Filed Under General, Natural Remedies | Leave a Comment
More and more, men over 50 are developing an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Men are well advised to have their prostate checked every year, once they reach the age of 50. If you have a family history, it may be a good idea to start having these checks at an earlier age. However, there’s a lot you can do to maintain good prostate health on your own. There’s quite a bit of evidence that suggests that the foods you eat have much to do with maintaining good prostate health. A diet rich in certain foods may well mean that you will never have to worry about prostate problems.
Interestingly enough, these foods do more than benefit your prostate health. From a holistic standpoint, the healthier you are overall, the better your whole body functions, including the prostate.
At the top of the list is the soybean. The traditional diet in Japan includes plenty of soy and it’s well documented that the incidence of prostate and breast cancer among the Japanese is quite low. Tofu, which is sold in blocks like cheese, comes in various textures, from soft to extra firm. Tofu does not have much of a taste on its own, but readily absorbs the flavor of other foods with which it is cooked. Try dicing some extra firm tofu and soaking it in a chicken, shrimp or vegetable broth. Toss the tofu with some steamed rice and veggies.
There are so many soy products to be found in the supermarkets today, it’s not difficult to make soy a regular part of your diet. Try a soy burger – it does taste like beef, but unlike beef, which you should cut down on if you want to promote prostate health, a soy burger promotes prostate health. Soy milk is another great choice for your prostate’s well being. While several studies suggest that dairy products have a detrimental effect on prostate health, regular consumption of soy milk appears to reduce your chances of prostate problems.
If you just don’t care for the taste of some of the many soy products available, visit your health food store and purchase powdered soy, a concentrated source which is available in capsules.While you’re at the health food store, pick up some extract of Saw Palmetto, or Saw Palmetto berries in capsules. A recent study of more than 1000 men, conducted over a six month period, compared Saw Palmetto with a standard pharmaceutical used to treat prostate problems. The conclusion was that both were effective, but the Saw Palmetto produced less side effects than the pharmaceutical. In another analysis of 18 independent studies, a VA medical center concluded that Saw Palmetto was an effective treatment for prostate problems.
You’ll want to douse your entrees generously with garlic at every opportunity. Many clinical studies have demonstrated that men who eat garlic regularly have far lower incidences of both prostate and bladder cancer. If you’re one of those who dislikes garlic and/or garlic breath, get back to the health food store and pick up some capsules of Kyolic(TM) garlic. This Japanese product does not produce garlic breath and doesn’t upset the stomach.
Lycopene is a compound found in red fruits and veggies, such as apples, tomatoes and red bell peppers. Lycopene is an antioxidant (cancer-fighting) which comes with a bonus. Several studies have shown that a lycopene rich diet results in better prostate health. In particular, red fruits are found to promote prostate health.
So what’s for dinner? How about some chicken flavored tofu, in a fried rice dish with some sweet red bell peppers? For dessert, have a dish of strawberries!