Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in
men in the United States each year. Prostate cancer typically is an
extremely slow-growing cancer. It begins in the prostate gland and is
easily treatable in this stage. However, once the cancer begins to grow
rapidly or when it spreads outside of the prostate gland, it is
potentially dangerous and even deadly.
Prostate cancer treatments
typically involve surgery and radiation therapy. Oftentimes, major
damage results from these treatments. These treatments are painful and
expensive.They also have serious side effects. Side effects from surgery
include:
1. Risk from anesthesia
2. Risk of a heart attack
3. Risk of a stroke
4. Blood clot in the legs
5. Infection at the site of the incision
6. Risk of bleeding and requiring a blood transfusion
7. Infections in the abdomen
8. Urinary incontinence
9. Death
2. Risk of a heart attack
3. Risk of a stroke
4. Blood clot in the legs
5. Infection at the site of the incision
6. Risk of bleeding and requiring a blood transfusion
7. Infections in the abdomen
8. Urinary incontinence
9. Death
Prostate cancer can oftentimes be prevented through
consuming good healthy foods. Some foods are particularly beneficial to
the prostate gland.Tomatoes and tomato products are among the top foods
for prostate health.Tomatoes are rich in lycopene which is the
carotenoid that gives many fruits and vegetables their red color.
Eating
tomatoes often, preferably on a daily basis can go a long way towards
preventing prostate cancer. This is due to the fact that lycopene can
accumulate in the cells over time and build up the ability to fight off
cancer cells. Tomatoes can easily be consumed fresh or cooked in your
favorite dishes. In fact, cooked tomatoes appear to have more
cancer-fighting properties than raw tomatoes.
Broccoli has been
proven in many studies to be effective in fighting prostate cancer.
Broccoli is a powerful cruciferous vegetable rich is sulfer containing
compounds known as glucosinolates. Cruciferous vegetables are especially
beneficial in prostate health as they aid in removing estrogens and
other toxins from the body. It is very important to prepare the broccoli
correctly in order to get its cancer fighting components. It is
recommended that broccoli be gently steamed to retain most of its
anti-cancer compounds.
Tomatoes and broccoli may be more
beneficial when consumed together rather than separately. It is believed
that the different bioactive compounds in each food work on different
anti-cancer pathways. This is the reason the combination of these two
foods can be highly effective.
Red raspberries are not only
delicious, but are rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals that can
benefit prostate health and reportedly even prevent prostate cancer.
Raspberries contain phytonutrients which are the healing components in
the raspberries. These benefits are solely from fresh berries as opposed
to processed berries or fruit drinks made from berries. So eating fresh
raspberries each day is a good way to protect your prostate health.
As
you can clearly see choosing to eat prostate healthy foods is one of
the best and easiest things you can do to improve the health of your
prostate gland and thereby decrease your risk of prostate cancer. There
are many ways to include these delicious foods in your diet so plan to
do so on a regular basis.
