Concerned about your prostate health?
More than 190,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. While prostate cancer is slow-growing cancer, doubling in size every two to three years as opposed to 4-5 months with other types of cancer, it’s still a very real problem for older men.
Many men ask physicians what they can eat to help improve the health of their prostate. Doctors say there isn’t a lot of research that explores specific foods and their ability to stave off major health problems like prostate cancer, but science does support specific eating habits that you can adopt.
Here are nine diet and exercise tips you can start practicing today:
1. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
2. Choose whole-grain bread and pasta.
3. Limit the amount of red meat that you eat and processed meats. This would include beef, pork, lamb, bologna and hot dogs.
4. Eat “good fat” like those found in nuts, olive oil, and avocados.
5. Skip soda. Consider soda an occasional treat rather than part of your everyday diet.
6. Limit your salt intake and opt for foods low in sodium.
7. Don’t snack standing up. Take time to make a snack, sit down, and eat it.
8. Watch portion sizes.
9. Get 30 minutes of exercise every day.
Talk about your prostate health with your doctor
Aside from eating right and getting exercise, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your prostate health. If your family has a history of prostate problems, it’s important for your doctor to know. In addition, there are tests and screenings that can be administered to catch prostate cancer as well.
Your doctor will likely have more specific advice for you if your family has a history of prostate cancer.
