Although experts have identified certain risk factors of prostate cancer, the underlying cause of the disease is not known. Prostate cancer is believed to develop in two steps. During step one, the cells are exposed to factors, such as viruses or toxins, which cause or trigger the unusual or uncontrolled cell growth. During step two, other factors such as diet, inflammation, toxins in food, hormones, lifestyle and environmental influences promote the growth and development of the abnormal cells.
Certain high risk factors such as age, ethnicity and genetics cannot be influenced however there are a number of other factors that can form part of a program to help both prevent prostate cancer and to maximize your recovery and long term wellness in the event you are diagnosed with the disease. The following guidelines are based on over 200 studies over 15 years and are part of the foundations of The Prostate Diet and the 6 Pillars of Prostate Health. They provide maximum protection for you and your prostate.
Maximize fruit and vegetable servings
Fruits and vegetables contain high levels of cancer- and inflammation-fighting substances such as antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Strong evidence points to the ability of these foods—which are rich in potent phytonutrients—to reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer, including prostate cancer. (Cohen 2009) Read more about fruit and vegetable servings
Focus on proper nutrition
Cancer experts estimate that our food choices account for up to 90 percent of cancers of the prostate, breast, pancreas, and colon. Making changes to your diet can significantly lower your risk of getting prostate disease. Read more on The Prostate Diet
Eat healthy fats
Research shows that people who live in countries where high-fat diets are the norm (like the United States) are more likely to develop prostate cancer than people who live in countries where diets are lower in fat. Read more about healthy fats
Choose plant protein over animal protein
Plant protein gives you all the nutrients and health benefits needed for maximum prostate health. Diets rich in plant protein have been shown to reduce rates of cancer and prostate disease. Also, according to the World Health Organization “diets high in red meat, dairy products, and animal fat have frequently been implicated in the development of prostate cancer”.
See also
Red Meat and Prostate Cancer
Calcium, Dairy and Prostate Cancer
Eat whole and natural foods
Consuming foods high in fiber has been linked to lower levels of testosterone (Wang 2008) and lower PSA scores (Tariq 2000), both good indicators for prostate health. Read more about whole and natural foods
Consume green tea
Green tea contains substances called catechins that travel throughout the body and take up residence in the prostate, where they can slow the growth of cancer cells, encourage cancer cell “suicide” (apoptosis), and interfere with the actions of enzymes that encourage the growth and spread of cancer. Studies show that men who drink green tea can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer by as much as 70 percent when compared with men who don’t drink green tea. (Jian 2004) Read more about green tea and prostate cancer
Eat omega-3 rich foods
Found in certain fish, Omega 3 fats fight inflammation, a process that eats up the body’s natural antioxidants and weakens the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to disease. Omega 3 has also been shown to significantly decrease prostate cancer risk. Read more about Omega-3 rich foods
Avoid foods and additives that are harmful to prostate health
Some foods, supplements, additives and nutrients are especially harmful to the prostate, including but not limited to red meat, calcium, dairy and foods high in sugar. Read more on “Foods to Avoid”
See also
Take supplements that have clinical support
Many supplements can be beneficial in cases of prostate cancer in supporting and boosting the immune system pre and post cancer treatment. Other supplements have been shown in clinical trials to cause apoptosis (self destruction) in cancer cells and lower the risk of prostate cancer.
See also
Supplements for Prostate Cancer (A-Z)
Top Prostate Cancer Supplements
Consume cancer-killing foods
Numerous foods and their components in The Prostate Diet have been shown to be cancer killers in clinical trials. Elevated levels of folate (folic acid) and vitamin D are associated with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Other foods such as turmeric/curcumin and cayenne (capsaicin) have been shown to have cancer killing properties as has lycopene, found mainly in tomato-based products. Consumption of omega 3 fats, pomegranate, mushrooms and green tea have also all been associated with cancer killing properties. Read more on Natural Cancer Killers
Hydrate often
Drinking pure water is essential for prostate health. Read more about hydrating
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Numerous studies have shown a link between being overweight and having a high risk of prostate cancer as well as lower long-term survival rates and more aggressive forms of the disease. Read more about maintaining a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Studies with animals and large human populations strongly suggest that exercise can help slow the spread of prostate cancer and reduce the risk of getting the disease (Esser 2009). Exercise also has a preventative effect on prostatitis and BPH as well as inflammation. Read more on exercise and prostate cancer
Obesity Linked to Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer Progression
Manage stress
Many health experts believe that stress plays a role in cancer: it may not directly cause it, but long-term stress can be very detrimental to the body, weakening the immune system, altering your hormonal balance, and overall making you more susceptible to disease. Read more on stress management and prostate health
Experiment with natural therapies
Natural prevention and treatment approaches for prostate health include acupuncture, biofeedback, homeopathy, hormone restoration, massage, reflexology and stress management techniques. Read more on natural and alternative prostate treatments
Lead a prostate friendly lifestyle
Smoking, sleep patterns and some medications all affect your prostate. In addition, excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer Read more a prostate friendly lifestyle
Maintain hormone balance
Hormone management and hormone balancing play a major role in prostate health. According to the World Health Organization “diet might influence prostate cancer risk by affecting hormone levels.” Read more about hormone balance
See also
Can Finasteride and Dutasteride Prevent Prostate Cancer?
Maintain a healthy sex life
Sex seems to be healthy for your prostate but can you have too much of a good thing? Most likely a healthy sex life is an important part of a healthy prostate but the reports are conflicting. Read more healthy sex life
Avoid exposure to toxins
Stay away from chemicals and other substances that can increase the risk of developing cancer. It’s been estimated that 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA toxin in their bodies. BPA has been associated with various health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, including prostate cancer.
See also
Environmental Toxins and Cancer-The Presidents Report
Can Pesticides Cause Prostate Cancer?
See also
101 Ways to Love Your Prostate
46 Things to Avoid for Prostate Health
Obesity Linked to Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer Progression
Study of Lycopene and Prostate Cancer Prevention for African American Men
