Last Updated on 9 June 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Prostate health is an essential aspect of men’s health that demands more attention in young and aged men. We have put together some of the specific and evidence-based diet and lifestyle changes that can have a positive impact on prostate health. While there’s always a good reason to eat well and live well, an unhealthy prostate can affect spermatozoa functioning and, therefore, male fertility, (1) giving men more reason to consider choosing foods with the potency and protective effects for better prostate health.
Stop the Progression of Poor Health
Preventing poor health requires a willingness to change those diet choices and lifestyle habits that may be detrimental to general health and increase the risk of developing prostate problems.
The critical lifestyle modifications include:
- smoking cessation
- exercise
- weight control
The real power of prevention is in the everyday, meaning food choices are the best example of a daily dose of good medicine for prostate health. Findings show that some foods are particularly noteworthy.
Plant Power for Prevention
Eating more plant-based foods is a significant way to improve diet quality and essentially consume an anti-inflammatory diet. Evidence suggests that green tea, isoflavones, lycopene and cruciferous vegetables protect prostate health. (2) Here’s the lowdown:
- Green tea: this popular beverage demonstrates antimutagenic and antioxidant properties, (3) so swapping a coffee or black tea for a green tea seems like a no-brainer.
- Isoflavones: soy products high in genistein demonstrate anti-proliferative effects (4), and other legumes like lentils, beans and peas are the richest sources of isoflavones. These foods can quickly be lacking in a typical male diet, while the good news is that small amounts of isoflavones are also found in potatoes and beer. (5) Baked beans and mashed potato with peas just got the tick of approval!
- Lycopene: found in red and yellow vegetables as part of the carotenoid family of antioxidants, this potent compound needs a little helping hand to be absorbed by being heated (for example, cooking tomato paste). (6) Guys, it’s time to create your signature tomato-based pasta sauce recipe!
- Cruciferous vegetables: isothiocyanates are known chemo preventive phytochemical compounds, naturally present in broccoli sprouts, kale, cabbage, cauliflower and garden cress. (7) Stir fries and coleslaw just got healthier.
Pass on these Foods Persistently
Western diet patterns appear to be significantly associated with an increase in poor prostate health. (8) The foods which are recognised as being the worst offenders are: (8) (9)
- High intake of red meat
- processed meat
- sweets
- refined carbohydrates
- overall dietary fat intake, particularly from animal sources
Reducing red meat to a weekly rather than daily choice, skipping processed meats altogether and keeping those sugar and refined carb cravings under control are worthwhile strategies for keeping the prostate gland healthy.
Prevention is the Best Cure
Healthy lifestyles are associated with better general health. In other words, the healthier you are, the better the likelihood of preventing specific health problems. We want to encourage you to take some proactive steps to keep your prostate healthy – and please visit us in-clinic if you need further guidance.
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