Recently, a friend of mine passed away from prostate cancer at the age of 62.
It hit home to me how common this illness is and how suddenly it can take away those closest to us.
My friend was going to enjoy his retirement and spend more time with his daughters and granddaughters but then after being diagnosed his health deteriorated very quickly.
I really hope men can do as much as they can to prevent this horrible illness so they can enjoy a longer life.
According to Mayo Clinic, 50% of men over 60 suffer from an enlarged prostate, otherwise known as a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Taking preventative measures to protect yourself is important so I’ve compiled some tips that may be of benefit if you’re worried about your prostate health:
Keep Active
Regular exercise and physical activity can prove beneficial in lowering your risk of many different diseases including prostate cancer.
A Health Professionals Follow-Up study of over 30,000 men done by Harvard Medical School showed men who exercised more are less likely to deal with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms, even if it is low to mid intensity exercise such as walking. (1)
There has also been a lot of other study done showing that stress may heighten symptoms of BPH and exercise is a good way to help relieve stress levels. It can help eliminate the hormones that are produced in everyday stressful situations and ease prostate symptoms. (2)
Trim the Waistline
Trimming the waistline and lowering weight is another way not only to improve areas such as your cardiovascular health, but also improve the health of your prostate.
A recent study shows a high-fat diet can increase the rate of the progression of prostate cancer through a link between fat and its role in increasing the MYC gene.
Mutations of the MYC gene have contributed to the formation of many cancers including prostate cancer. (3)
A higher BMI and waist circumference could influence the risk of an aggressive form of prostate cancer according to a large scale study of nearly 150,000 men by the Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, UK, led by Dr Aurora Perez-Carnago. For every 5kg/m2 increase in BMI there was a risk increase of 10%. Every 10cm increase in waist circumference saw a risk increase of 13%. (4)
Cutting down on foods with added sugars, salt and excessive fats should be a priority, along with regular exercise.
Ejaculation… More of it
It seems that when it comes to ejaculation the phrase ‘less is more’ is not the case.
A study done by Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health in Boston between 1992 and 2010 showed benefits of ejaculation in lowering the risk of prostate cancer.
The research followed 32,000. 4,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer during this time. Men in their 20’s to 40’s who ejaculated more than 21 times in a month were found to be less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than those men who ejaculated less than 7 times a month.
Study leader, Jennifer Rider ScD, MPH stated that “safe sexual activity could be good for prostate health. (5)
Lycopene
Lycopene Pt.1 – Attack with the Tomatoes
Lycopene is an antioxidant and carotenoid that may help prevent cell damage and decrease the amount of prostate cancer cells.
If an enlarged prostate is pushed against the urinary tract it can block the tube causing BPH. Lycopene may help halt the enlargement of the prostate.
The diet behaviours of men between 50-69 who had prostate cancer and didn’t have prostate cancer were compared in a study published in the journal Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.
It showed that lycopene could reduce prostate risk, with men consuming tomatoes showing an 18 % reduced risk. (6)
This claim was also backed up by a review of 67 research studies published in the journal Oncology and Cancer Case Reports. (7)
That’s encouraging news if you enjoy eating tomatoes and other fruits high in lycopene
Lycopene Pt.2 - Be a Watermelon Man
If you like a taste of the tropics you’ll be pleased to know watermelons are a great source of lycopene along with other tropical fruits like guava and papaya. A couple of slices should provide the 10mg of lycopene needed daily and go a long way to helping your prostate. (8)
Xtendlife Omega 3 / DHA Plus Fish Oil has a good source of lycopene included and can be a useful addition to these dietary sources.
A Fish Tale – Fatty Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Research has shown that a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids may help to prevent the growth and progression of prostate cancer cells and lower risk because of their anti-inflammatory properties. (9) (10)
Try to eliminate other animal fats and replace them with fatty fish and this may help towards trimming the waistline as well. (11)
Tea Break: Time for a Green Tea
Although there is not enough evidence to show whether green tea is useful in treating prostate cancer, there have been some studies with interesting information showing green tea may protect against prostate cancer growth. (12)
Studies of Green Tea have pointed toward polyphenol compounds as the most beneficial elements. These are mainly made up of catechins which are antioxidants that help protect cells from free radical damage. (13)
Decrease Use of Pastuerized Milk
Limiting your intake of pasteurized milk may be a good idea.
Estrone sulfate is an estrogen compound linked to prostate cancer which has been identified in high levels in pasteurized milk – up to 33 times more than raw milk from cows in the first 6 months after pregnancy.
Dr. Ganmaa Davaasambuu from Harvard University led a study that took data from around the world showing high-hormone milk from a lot of modern dairy farms was linked to a high rate of hormone-dependent cancers like prostate cancer. (14)
Alternatives include Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, and Rice Milk.
Prostate Tests
It can be useful for men aged between 40 -70 to get a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Raised levels of PSA may detect types of prostate cancer early before it becomes more serious or spreads to other parts of the body and is usually used to screen for prostate cancer in men without symptoms. They can also be helpful for men who have symptoms associated with prostate cancer such as urinary problems. (15)
A Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) may also be used by your doctor and you should discuss this process with them.
Important information about these tests can be found in the report ‘Sex, Lies and Misconceptions’ by Xtendlife Founder Warren Matthews.
Xtendlife Products for Prostate Health: Prostate Support
Warren Matthews is now 68 and has been concerned with men’s prostate health for many years.
Read about some of his views, recommendations and some incredibly helpful information on prostate health including prostate tests in the report ‘Sex, Lies and Misconceptions ‘.
Prostate Health: Sex, Lies and Misconceptions
In this report, among other things, Warren recommends the use of Prostate Support which has been specifically formulated with two effective ingredients recommended by many experts over the years – Stinging Nettle Extract and Saw Palmetto. These are also used in Total Balance Men’s and Total Balance Men’s Premium.
Written by: Dion Woodfield
References:
- http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/10-diet-and-exercise-tips-for-prostate-health
- http://www.harvardprostateknowledge.org/stress-and-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph
- http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.9392395/k.CD92/Obesity_and_a_highfat_diet_promote_prostate_cancer_progression_by_amplifying_the_activity_of_cancer_genes.htm
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160602121838.htm
- http://instinctmagazine.com/post/could-regular-ejaculation-help-you-prevent-prostate-cancer
- http://samadimd.com/prostate-health/2016/5/23/tomatoes-super-soldiers-in-the-fight-against-prostate-cancer
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/22/tomatoes-could-hold-the-key-to-old-age-prostate-problems-scienti/
- http://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/superfoods-for-a-healthy-prostate/#07
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19776642
- https://news.wsu.edu/2015/03/18/researchers-show-how-fatty-acids-can-fight-prostate-cancer/
- http://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/superfoods-for-a-healthy-prostate/#03
- http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/prostate-supplements-pdq#section/_175
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16424063?dopt=Abstract
- http://www.newstarget.com/2016-05-19-pasteurized-milk-linked-to-testicular-prostate-and-breast-cancers.html
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/in-depth/prostate-cancer/art-20048087