As men age, they have an increased risk for developing prostate cancer. However, there are lifestyle changes that men can adopt to promote prostate health and reduce their risk of developing this disease.
Making healthier choices in your diet, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise may help lessen your risk or delay the onset of prostate cancer, especially if you have a hereditary predisposition to the condition.
Eat a Healthy Diet That Includes Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables
Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is essential for prostate health. Fruits and vegetables provide our bodies with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants we need to protect ourselves from prostate-related illnesses.
Increasing your consumption of dark leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, berries, citrus fruits and other colorful produce can help keep your prostate healthy by reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can also help reduce cholesterol levels and manage blood sugar, both of which are important factors for staving off serious health complications later in life.
To get the most from your diet, focus on adding as many brightly colored plant foods as possible so you can enjoy all the delightful flavors, textures and health benefits these natural foods provide.
Avoid Processed Foods, Saturated Fats and Refined Sugars
Maintaining prostate health is essential to overall well-being and can often be attributed in part to the foods we consume. Eating a diet low in processed foods, saturated fats, and refined sugars will go a long way towards minimizing the negative impact these common additives have on health.
Instead of reaching for pre-packaged items, look to whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. These choices contain high amounts of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and nutrients needed for prostate health.
Exercise Regularly to Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can have both immediate and long-term benefits. Aside from reducing your risk of developing serious illnesses like diabetes, regular exercise has been linked to prostate health benefits as well. Incorporating regular exercise into your life is a great way to keep your weight under control while also keeping prostate issues at bay.
Whether it’s going on hikes, joining the gym or finding an enjoyable sport to play with friends, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get active and reap the benefits of healthier living.
Of course, make sure you consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your fitness to participate in different exercises and to learn about their recommendations for prostate health.
Get Enough Sleep Each Night to Allow Your Body to Rest and Heal
Sleep isn’t just important for overall health; it can have a remarkable impact on prostate health too. Studies have shown that men who don’t get enough sleep regularly experience reduced prostate function as well as prostate growth.
There are questions about whether there’s a direct link between insomnia and prostate health or whether insomnia is a symptom of other problems that make prostate cancer more likely. For example, conditions like stress and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes frequent nighttime urination that interrupts sleep.
Getting enough sleep each night is essential to allow your body to rest and heal. Treating underlying issues that cause problems like frequent nighttime urination may help stave off more serious prostate conditions in the future.
The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person, but most adults need seven to nine hours per night for optimal health.
Limit Your Alcohol Intake to No More Than Two Drinks Per Day
The prostate is just one part of the body that can be negatively affected by excessive alcohol consumption. It’s important that men limit their alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of prostate enlargement, so it’s important to make sure you are monitoring your intake levels and not having too much in a single day.
This means avoiding shots, cocktails, large beers or anything else that may contain higher concentrations of alcohol. This general rule of thumb can help prevent a host of potential issues linked to overindulging in alcohol, including reducing your risk for prostate cancer.
Get Prostate Cancer Treatment in Oregon
In the end, the best thing we can do to reduce our risk of prostate cancer is to be proactive when it comes to our health. Some men have a hereditary disposition for prostate cancer, and healthy living might not be enough to permanently stave off the disease. However, as with any health condition, education and awareness are key for early detection and appropriate care when necessary.
If you or a loved one has developed prostate cancer, please don’t hesitate to contact the Community Cancer Center in Roseburg, Oregon for support. Together, we can make strides toward treating and managing prostate cancer and ultimately leading a healthier lifestyle.