Prostate Cancer Prevention through Diet

Do you know your risk of prostate cancer is increased if you are over weight or obese. Recent research has shown that too much food significantly increases your risk of prostate cancer. So watch out for your weight.

The American Cancer Society states that the risk of developing more advanced prostate cancer and of dying from prostate cancer is higher in obese men (or men with a BMI more than 30). The risk of developing advanced prostate cancer about 17 percent higher in a man with a BMI of 27.5 to 30 as compared to a man with a BMI of less than 25.

Prostate Cancer Risk and Diet: Foods That May Lower Risk

When we talk about foods that can prevent prostate cancer ---tomatoes, and tomato-based products are considered to have prostate-cancer-fighting ability. Some experts say that lycopene the chemical found in tomatoes and fruits like watermelon, and pink grapefruit lowers the risk of prostate cancer, and several other cancers. However the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that there is no evidence that lycopene reduces the risk of cancer but it does agree that tomatoes might reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Tomatoes and tomato-based products contain high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals. Antioxidants and phytochemicals are believed to fight cancer cells and be protective against several cancers. The cancer-fighting benefits from tomatoes are improved with cooking. So many experts recommend ---cook tomatoes before eating. Cooking, or crushing the releases the lycopene present in the cells of tomato.

However other nutrients like vitamin E or selenium have not been shown to lower risk of prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Risk and Diet: Foods That May Increase Risk

Some foods are known to increase the risk of prostate cancer. The foods that should be avoided to reduce your risk of prostate cancer include

• Red meat — beef, lamb, and pork,
• Processed meat

These foods moderately increase the risk of prostate cancer. But the specific amount of red or processed meat per week or day that increases the risk of cancer is not known.

Calcium is known to make your bones and teeth strong. Besides this it is needed for several important functions in the body. But some research has shown that it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. The recommended amount of calcium intake does not seem to increase the risk of cancer. Experts say that it is really high levels of calcium intake (like with high levels of supplement) that probably increases the risk of prostate cancer.

So some experts say that aim to get your calcium through food and if you need to take supplements consult your doctor.

If you want to further reduce your risk of prostate cancer follow the general cancer prevention guidelines like

• Include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet—as these contain antioxidants a substance that protects against cancer and helps your body to function optimally. Eat a wide range of brightly colored fruits and vegetables.
• Use garlic, ginger, turmeric, curry powder, basil and other spice to boost your body’s cancer-fighting ability.
• Eat whole grains such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, barley, oatmeal
• Avoid foods that contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils like margarines, salad dressings, fries and other packaged foods.
• Prefer to eat leaner meat such as fish, chicken, or turkey. Eat legumes such  as black beans, split peas, chick peas, sweet peas, kidney beans, black-eyed peas for protein

Read more articles on Prostate Cancer.