Preventing prostate cancer
This is the most common cancer among men. Virtually all men, as they age, are guaranteed to have problems with an enlarged prostate.
A very recent study from UC Davis seems to suggest that diet containing whole walnuts is very effective at preventing prostate cancer.
People who suffer prostate cancer are known to have higher levels of endothelin. They found that mice which were fed on walnuts developed prostate cancers around 50 per cent smaller than a control group which were given soya bean oil instead. Dr Paul Davis, who headed the study, said: “Walnuts should be part of a prostate-healthy diet. They should be part of a balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables.”
Here’s a few things one can do to reduce the risk (collected from the sources below):
- Tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruit, papaya and red berries are all great sources of lycopene, a health-promoting plant pigment known for its cancer-battling ability. It also promotes a strong immune system and helps support prostate health in men. Though fresh are always an excellent option, the lycopene in cooked tomatoes is actually absorbed more readily by the body. It is also your ally in the battle against heart disease. Other studies have shown, however, no link between tomatoes and their supposed cancer-fighting ability.
- Quercetin, a flavonoid that forms the backbone of many other flavonoids, may have positive effects in combating or helping to prevent many different types of cancer, including prostate. It also acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be helpful in relieving the pain of an inflamed prostate. Foods rich in quercetin include apples, black and green tea, onions, raspberries, red wine, red grapes, citrus fruits, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables, and cherries. Quercetin can also be found in honey and sap, including the type from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.
- It is vital to remember to get a healthy balance of foods to keep your prostate healthy, including antioxidants, vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of clear fluids to help flush the bladder.
- Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Keeping your weight in check will also help maintain a healthy prostate.
- Place a certain amount of emphasis on leafy vegetables like broccoli, kale and cabbage. There is a clear link between cruciferous vegetables and a resistance to prostate cancer.
Here’s a Top 10 list from hubpages:
- 1. Fish - especially those that contain the ‘good' fats such as Omega 3 are recommended so you need to get salmon, mackerel and trout on the table at least a few times a week. Avoid other foods such as biscuits, cakes and fried stuff which contains trans fats which are not good.
- 2. I drink and consume very few dairy products because they contain too much calcium which is a No- No for the prostate. Instead I use SOYA milk and other soya products. It is also easier for me to do this as I have become lactose intolerant over the years. Research has shown too that the people of the Far East (ie Hong Kong) have become more susceptible to cancer because they no longer consume so much soya, preferring the fast food from the West. Yikes !
- 3. Fruit is also at the top of my list - maybe it should be number one. The more coloured the fruit the better so cherries, apricots, peaches, apples, bananas and pears. The latter are great for keeping you regular as constipation is another factor which puts more pressure on the prostate.
- 4. Nuts - all kinds. I try to eat a few fistfuls a day but not too many as they do contain quite a lot of oil and fat - but the healthy kind ! They are also shown to be heart protective.
- 5. Olive oil - great for salads and pouring over your veggies. So, forget about those other awful salad dressings. Olive oil is full of antioxidants. Steer clear of corn oil and canola.
- 6. Lots of vegetables and I favour the broad leafy ones such as spinach, chicory and then Brussels sprouts and broccoli are great too. They are cancer protective as indeed are cabbage and cauliflower if you can stand the smell! I love broad beans so I have added them to my list.
- 7. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant so substitute that for coffee when you are in a withdrawal state !. Green tea contains caffeine so you will still get your caffeine kick and so you will need to know how to limit that in accordance with your sleeping habits!
- 8. Red wine as I said is fine in moderation as indeed are all red berries so red grapes are recommended too.
- 9. Tomatoes contain lycopene which helps the prostate so that can go into salads. Watermelons and pink grapefruit contain lycopene as indeed does any kind of tomato sauce you can use in your favourite pasta or pizza dish.
- 10. The king of the supplements is Selenium which you can find in fish and nuts (see above). It can also be found in mushrooms, bran, wheat germ, oats and brown rice. And that is where my healthy breakfast cereal makes its entry with non fat milk or soya milk.
Another way to cut down the risk of cancer is to masturbate regularly. This seems to contradict the conclusion associated with cancer prevention in women, whose too frequent ovulation / menstruation appears to be a factor favourable to cancer.
Australian researchers questioned over 1,000 men who had developed prostate cancer and 1,250 who had not about their sexual habits. They found those who had ejaculated the most between the ages of 20 and 50 were the least likely to develop the cancer. The protective effect was greatest while the men were in their 20s.Men who ejaculated more than five times a week were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer later in life.
It seems that most men already do what’s best for them without even knowing it!
Sources / More info: walnuts-prostate, t10-foods, best-food-prostate, ezine-food-prostate, bbc-masturbate, yt-prostate
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