10 Foods to Promote Prostate Health

While awareness about cancer should be shared by both of the sexes, a number of surveys show that women are generally more aware and knowledgeable about their risk for certain cancers than men. However, there are a number of cancers that men should know about and actively care for, one of them being prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the male reproductive system and unfortunately spreads slowly. For the latter reason, many men don't recognize the development of prostate cancer until its too late. Besides consulting with your doctor and scheduling regular prostate exams, there are a number of nutrients in the foods that we eat that may help prevent and even treat issues in the prostate.

Incorporate some, or all of these foods into your diet to keep your prostate health in check.

1. Brazil Nuts

These large and delicious nuts are good for prostate health because they are rich in a nutrient called selenium, which has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Just one ounce of Brazil nuts contains almost ten times the recommended daily value for selenium in your diet, which bodes very well for the state of your prostate. The nuts are also a good source of zinc, which is another mineral essential to prostate health, and amino acids which are a great source of protein.

2. Broccoli
Broccoli is a member of the cruciferous family, a family of vegetables shared with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale. Cruciferous vegetables contain high amounts of sulforaphane and indoles, which are plant-based nutrients that have remarkable anti-cancer and cleansing properties. In scientific trials, it was found that eating broccoli more than once a week could reduce the probability of contracting the later (and more serious) stages of prostate cancer by nearly 45 percent. The healthiest way to consume broccoli (to maximize its nutrient content) is to steam or sauté the broccoli for about 5 minutes (and no more).

3. Cayenne

The cayenne pepper is known for being hot and spicy, but it is also an excellent source of prostate healthy nutrients. The cayenne pepper is spicy due to a high concentration of a substance called capsaicin, which is renowned for its ability to reduce pain, but also helps kill off cancer cells. In studies, capsaicin has demonstrated an ability to cause cancer cells to 'commit suicide', by attacking the energy-making portion of the cell (the mitochondria). Capsaicin is also known for its cardiovascular benefits (it's a strong antioxidant), as a preventative treatment for stomach ulcers, and as a great regulator of blood sugar levels.

4. Green Tea
This superfood is noted for its numerous health benefits, one of them being the ability to fight off several forms of cancer, including prostate cancer. Green tea contains compounds called catechins, the most important of them being EGCG which notably lowers the levels of dangerous biomarkers attributed to cancer. The nutrients in green tea may also help men who have pre-cancerous prostate lesions, one of the first signs of more serious prostate complications, including cancer. To maximize the effects of green tea, experts recommend that you consume about three cups daily.

 

5. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are great for prostate health, but Asian mushrooms are especially good for you. The shiitake mushroom, for instance, contains a substance called lentinan, which has demonstrated miraculous anti-cancer properties. Asian mushrooms also contain a potent antioxidant called L-ergothioneine, which has the ability to protect cells throughout the body from cancerous invasion.

6. Pomegranates

 

Not only does this succulent red fruit taste wonderful, it is also noted for being high in antioxidants and a nutrient called ellagitannin, which especially promotes prostate health. Some studies show that the pomegranate can even slow the reproduction of prostate cancer cells and can even kill them off. Pomegranates are also noted for their ability to interfere with the growth of new blood vessels, which usually nourishes prostate tumors. If you don't have the actual fruit available (it is seasonal at the end of summer and into the early fall), pomegranate juice is an accessible and tasty way to get all of the fruit's nutrients.

7. Pumpkin Seeds
Yes, as evident from this list, stocking up on seeds and nuts is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to delicious pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds have been proven to benefit men with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which is a condition affecting men aged 50 and older, where the prostate gland swells and enlarges. This swelling and enlargement is caused by the overstimulation of prostate cells by testosterone and other hormones, and the oil of pumpkin seeds has been shown to prevent the effect of these hormones on prostate health.

8. Salmon
Another superfood noted for its healthy qualities, salmon also supports prostate health because it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. New research has found that the omega-3 in fish (not only salmon, although it is the most popular fish) can slow the development of prostate tumors in men who have the disease, and can prevent the disease from developing at all for those who don't. Indeed, a study published in "Clinical Cancer Research" reported that eating fish or salmon once a week could reduce a man's chance of developing prostate cancer, even if he is genetically predisposed to contract the disease.

9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in a nutrient called lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant that has proven itself to promote and enhance prostate health. Surprisingly, unlike a number of other fruits and vegetables, the nutritional benefits of tomatoes increase when they are processed, as opposed to fresh tomatoes. When the tomatoes are cooked into a paste, soup, sauce or made into a juice, the lycopene content is more easily absorbed by the body. Eating just one serving of tomatoes a day, either in your Bloody Mary or even on pizza, can protect against DNA damage that could set the stage for the development of prostate cancer.

10. Turmeric

Turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries, and is also an excellent way to enhance prostate health. The spice is used to fight off inflammation, colds, asthma, and when combined with a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli or kale, is effective in preventing and even treating prostate cancer. Turmeric is usually added to curries and spicy dishes due to its bitter and peppery flavor, but adding a dash of it to your cooking could not only add welcome spice to your meal, but also dramatically improve your prostate health.