According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in men and sadly one in six men will be diagnosed with it at some point in their lives. Since November is prostate awareness monthly – I wanted to bring awareness to natural approaches you can take for a healthier prostate.
Healthy vitamin D levels considerably reduce the risk of cancer.
In the November 2013 researchers discussed the link between low vitamin D and increased mortality in those men who suffer from prostate cancer and prostate cancer survivors were more likely to have higher levels of vitamin D.
In addition, the ultraviolet-B portion of sunlight has been found to have a direct effect on lowering the risk of prostate cancer by stimulating the body to produce vitamin D. If you’re not sure about your vitamin D blood level – get tested today.
A diet loaded with ‘superfood’ reduces the risk for prostate cancer.
An unhealthy diet is believed to be responsible for one-third of all prostate, bowel and breast cancer. Studies in Japan have shown that Japanese men who follow a vegetarian diet experience the lowest occurrences of prostate cancer. But it remains unclear if abstaining from meat is responsible for the lower rates or if there are particular nutrients in the foods that help reduce the possibility of cancer.
Fatty fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines contain a healthy amount of omega-3, which also helps to reduce the risk of contracting prostate cancer. Your urologist Des Moines recommends that you eat two servings of fish each week, but make sure the fish is free of heavy metal toxicity or radiation.
Adding tea to your diet has also found to be beneficial, as studies have shown that green tea, as well as green tea extract, is helpful in reducing the odds of contracting prostate cancer.
Your urologist Des Moines also recommends adding lycopene to your diet to further reduce the risk for prostate cancer. Lycopene is found in foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, asparagus, red cabbage, parsley and carrots.
Research also indicates that pumpkin seeds and oil can help reduce the symptoms of enlarged prostate, as the high zinc levels in the pumpkin seeds are responsible for the health benefit they provide.
Practitioners typically recommend that fat-soluble saw palmetto extracts of 160 mg be taken twice a day. If you’re interested in trying saw palmetto – or have any other questions – contact your urologist Des Moines today to schedule a consultation.