Ten easy tips for a healthy prostate

By Hope Gillette / Saludify

healthy prostate is important — approximately 238,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually, with the disease claiming some 29,000 lives.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, though two-thirds of cases are primarily found in men over the age of 65.

Maintaining prostate health means being up-to-date with your recommended screenings; however, there are other ways men can reduce their risk for prostate-related health issues.

Ten tips for a healthy prostate

Make sure you eat your vegetables: A report from Reader’s Digest indicates there are a number of foods research has proven beneficial for prostate health. Vegetables from the cruciferous family, which include broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, contain isothiocyanates. These phytochemicals protect the prostate, and in addition to these substances, cruciferous vegetables are also full of cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Think twice before taking vitamin E: Vitamin E has many different applications in the body. For years doctors suggested vitamin E for its anti-inflammatory properties. All of the hype around this vitamin came crashing down, however, in 2011 when research from Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT Study) revealed men over the age of 50 taking 400 IU or more of vitamin E daily had an increased risk for prostate cancer.

Cut back on red meat: Most experts recommend red meat is consumed only in moderation. Among the reasons is the fact that a study published in the journal PLoS One from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found red meat was associated with aggressive prostate cancer. In fact, men who ate red meat had a 2.3 times higher risk compared to men who did not eat red meat. Limiting red meat intake is essential for prostate health.

Know your genetic risk: Individuals who have family members with prostate cancer are at an increased risk for the disease. Knowing your family history can make the difference in recommended colorectal screenings and preventative care.

Drink plenty of water: Drinking water and other non-alcoholic beverages is an easy way to not only improve overall health, but to maintain a healthy prostate. Drinking frequently helps maintain bladder health, which in turn can reduce inflammation and resulting irritation to the prostate. When it comes to a healthy prostate, water is ideal; caffeinated and carbonated beverages as well as alcohol should be avoided as much as possible.

Eat more soy: Never tried soy before? Keeping a healthy prostate is a great reason to start. While eating soy won’t prevent prostate cancer from returning if an individuals has previously been diagnosed, evidence suggests a high-soy diet significantly reduces initial risk. A report from Fox News indicates soy is high in isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, which have been found to inhibit tumor growth.

Stop smoking: It shouldn’t be surprising that smoking tobacco increases and individual’s risk for aggressive prostate cancer. According to a report from Harvard School of Public Health, men who smoked had a 61 percent increased risk of recurrence for prostate cancer and a 61 percent increased risk of dying from prostate cancer.

Maintain a healthy weight: Being at a healthy weight isn’t just good for your heart; keeping up with fitness is important for prostate health. The Prostate Cancer Foundation indicates research suggests a correlation between excessive weight and prostate cancer risk, with men who have the highest body mass indexes as much as 8 times more likely to develop prostate cancer compared to other men.

Drink some green tea: Green tea—without the caffeine—is wonderful for a healthy prostate. Green tea contains antioxidants, which help prevent free-radicals within the body. Free radicals damage cells and can increase an individual’s risk for cancer.

Have sex: When it comes to a normal functioning body, it makes sense that using something regularly keeps it in working order. A study from researchers in Australia suggests masturbating and intercourse prevent some carcinogenic substances from building up in seminal fluid.

According to the data, men who ejaculated 5 or more times a week had a 34 percent reduced risk for prostate cancer before the age of 70.

Originally published by Saludify as “Ten easy tips for a healthy prostate”
http://saludify.com/men-healthy-prostate/