According to urologist Des Moines Dr. Fawad Zafar, the following six diet guidelines can reduce your risk of prostate cancer. The advice outlines a combination of what foods to limit or avoid, and which ones to eat.
1. Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, to help reduce overall cancer risk. Most doctors agree that a plant-based diet lowers your risk of cancer and heart disease. And your urologist Des Moines explains that the reason fruits and vegetables help lower cancer risk is that they contain protective compounds that reduce the risk of several cancers and the toxic effects of the pollutants from petroleum.
2. Eat soy products to reduce both the risk and recurrence of cancer. Soy products — such as edamame, tempeh and tofu — also have protective properties, which – if substituted for red meat – can help reduce exposure to fats and other chemicals that advance cancer and heart disease.
3. Limit or avoid dairy products to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Studies have linked dairy products to prostate cancer, but the offender might actually be calcium. Some studies suggest that consuming dairy products might prevent colorectal cancer, and that men should consider limiting dairy if they have a family history of prostate cancer.
4. Avoid red and processed meats to reduce the risk of colon and rectum cancers. According to your urologist Des Moines, following this advice may help prevent heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Large studies have revealed that regular consumption of red meat — particularly processed meats such as sausages and cold cuts — can shorten your life.
This news doesn’t need to ruin your summer cookout plans. Use common sense and that the occasional hamburger or hotdog is fine. The broader issue is reducing consumption to reduce risk, given your risk profile and family history.
Cancer risk reduction doesn’t necessarily guarantee cancer avoidance. According to the World Health Organization, up to 30 percent of all cancers might be caused by a poor diet, and the rest are attributed to smoking, pollution and genetics, which may affect you no matter what you eat.
If you would like more information regarding cancer risk reduction tips, call the office of urologist Des Moines Dr. Fawad Zafar today to schedule an appointment.