PROTECTING THE PROSTATE

September is Prostate Health Month and it is good to know that there is much that can be done to protect the prostate gland. Here's how:

Watch your weight: Being overweight may not increase the likelihood of prostate cancer, but it can interfere with its detection. Researchers have found that the more overweight a man is, the more likely his PSA reading (prostate-specific antigen) is skewed thus hampering a timely diagnosis. Excess weight is linked to higher rates of reoccurrence of prostate cancer.

Stay active: Being inactive-sitting on your prostate- is not good for this gland. Daily exercise for 30-60 minutes most days defends against the development of this cancer as well as slowing its progression once it has started by decreasing levels of testosterone.

De-Stress: Managing stress may be helpful by decreasing production of a hormone that causes inflammation called prolactin. Daily yoga, meditation, and deep relaxation techniques can help prostatitis.

Add An Array of Nutrients: A variety of nutrients and phytonutrients seem to be pivotal for prostate health. Lycopene, a carotenoid in cooked tomato products, is well studied for reducing prostate cancer. However, taking lycopene as a supplement does not give the same protection. Eating 4 servings/day of other vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) reduces cancer risk. These veggies are chock full of cancer-fighting phytonutrients. Selenium, an antioxidant mineral, encourages "suicide" of prostate cancer cells. Men with cancer who had the highest levels of blood selenium were 50% less likely to progress to advanced disease. Eat Brazil nuts (1-2/day), flounder or tuna (3 servings/week), and choose a multi with selenium in it.

Fine-Tune Fat: Eating fish (or omega-3 supplements) walnuts, flax seed meal (not flax oil supplements) and dark leafy greens decrease the cancer risk. Cut back to 1-2 servings of red meat/week.

Minimize Irritants: Cigarette smoke, more than 2 alcoholic beverages/day, excessive caffeine, eating spicy foods may aggravate the genitourinary tract worsening prostatitis. Chili peppers, however, contain capsaicin. This may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.