Nutrition
Dietary management of prostate cancer
Eat balanced diet
In this new chapter, we will be discussing how we can manage prostate cancer with our diet.
Prostate cancer, although rare in men under 40 years, is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in men of all ages. The prostate is a gland below a man’s bladder that wraps around the urethra (the passage that guides urine out of the body).
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
● Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream of urine, or dribbling.
● Frequent urination
● Lower back pain
● Pain with ejaculation
The level of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA), is often high in men with prostate cancer, so doctors check the level of PSA as a way to screen for prostate cancer. Since the PSA test became common, most prostate cancers are found before they cause symptoms. Notwithstanding, a lot of people present late and little or nothing can be done for them. But be aware that PSA can also be high in other conditions.
In as much as the ultimate management is surgical and/or medical, lifestyle modification and nutrition can go a long way in preventing prostate cancer.
Foods to include
● Fiber rich foods such as; whole foods, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts.
● Lycopene rich foods such as; tomatoes, water melon, sweet pepper, and red grapes.
● Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods such as; salmon, flaxseed, anchovies, and sardines.
● Selenium rich foods such as; mushrooms, shrimps, Brazil nuts, salmon, and oatmeal.
● Vitamin E rich foods such as; spinach, almonds, and asparagus.
● Vitamin C rich foods such as; oranges, tangerines, pineapples, and lemons.
Foods to avoid
● Red meat such as; beef, mutton, and chevon.
● Dairy products such as; milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and custard.
● Highly processed foods such as; sugary drinks, syrups and jams, and candies.
● Saturated fatty foods such as; pastries, deep fried foods, and lard.
● Highly salted foods such as; salted nuts, salted beef, salted fish, and potato chips.
Lifestyle modification
Modifying our lifestyle from a predominantly sedentary lifestyle to incorporating exercises like going for walks, jogging, and riding bicycles, as well as avoiding late-night high-calorie meals, excessive alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking will serve to prolong our healthy life and prevent prostate cancer from being our burden.
In conclusion, our strength and zeal is highest in our youth and we should take full advantage of this by changing our lifestyle now for the better and incorporating a healthy diet that will keep us free from such a diagnosis in our mid and elderly life.
The writer, Bernice Asare Korkor, is the CEO of Holistic Health Consult
“Your diet your health, your health your wealth”
E-mail: holistichealthconsultgh@gmail.com