Thinking about health issues can be overwhelming, especially serious ones like long-term diseases and illnesses. It’s important to note, however, that taking action today is a good way to help maintain or improve your current health and prevent serious complications in the future. One of the most common health concerns men have is prostate cancer and it’s never too early to start warding against it. Luckily, there are a variety of things that can be done to promote a healthy prostate and lower the risk of developing prostate cancer in the future – and they’re all pretty simple endeavors. A healthy diet and regular exercise alone can go a long way towards maintaining your health overall.
Natural Tips for a Healthy Prostate
When it comes to keeping your prostate healthy, it turns out that sometimes the simplest answers are the most effective. Regular exercise and a balanced diet have long been part of a healthy lifestyle, but they’re even more important for individuals hoping to maintain their current health or to avoid serious prostate problems in the future.
Healthy Diet
Counting calories and limiting yourself to eating specific foods isn’t the most effective way to eat healthily. In fact, it’s often one of the least helpful options. Instead, it’s better to focus upon the idea of healthy eating as a whole. Your goal is to create meals that contain the nutrients you need to thrive while minimizing those that you don’t.
The first thing you should look for when planning your weekly menu is vegetables and fruits. Select options with bright, deep color like bell peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes to guide your decisions as you look for the recipes that work best for your needs.
Next, add in your protein. Instead of opting for red meat at every meal, consider swapping it out for skinless poultry, fish, eggs, and beans. These are great sources of protein that have the added benefit of being healthy for your prostate. While tasty, red meat can actually negatively impact your prostate over time, making it a good food to limit. You don’t have to cut it out completely, but reconsider adding to meals every day.
The next part of your meal should be a healthful fat. That might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s true – fat can be healthy as long as it’s the right fat. Look at olive oil, nuts, and avocados to add the fat to your meal. These foods all have health benefits that nourish your body rather than saturating it with substances that slow it down. With that in mind, you also want to limit the saturated fats prevalent in animal products and partially hydrogenated fats, also known as trans fats, that are found in packaged food and fast food.
Finally, watch your portion sizes, cut down on salt, and eat slowly enough to tell when you’re full. You don’t need to clean your plate – the leftovers will keep just fine in the refrigerator.
Regular Exercise
The next step to a healthy prostate is regular exercise. First, exercise is vital for your overall health. This is true for every part of your body. Moving often and maintaining a healthy weight are two of the most beneficial things you can do to promote prostate health and reduce your risk of developing serious health issues.
While there aren’t too many studies that have assessed the direct impact of exercise upon the prostate, there are many studies that have revealed that your chance of experiencing cancer in general is dramatically lower when you engage in consistent physical activity. Regular exercise is also vital in decreasing your chance of suffering from BPH symptoms. Note that this is true even if you already live with BPH – physical activity can help relieve side effects of the issue even if you’re only starting an exercise routine today moving forward. Don’t give up hope if you haven’t maintained a regular exercise routine for years, in other words, because you can begin today and still dramatically improve your quality of life.
Natural Remedies
We have a few more natural tips for a healthy prostate. In addition to the above, you might consider adding certain additional nutrients and supplements into your daily routine. African plum extract (pygeum), for example, has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect as well as an antioxidant effect on the urogenital tract. That means that it can help reduce the symptoms you experience from BPH.
Another good supplement is pumpkin seeds. These contain beta-sitosterol, a substance shown to potentially improve urine flow while lowering the amount of urine remaining in your bladder after urination. Consider pairing this with tomatoes, a rich source of lycopene, a pigment naturally occurring in the fruit that is thought to slow the progression of BPH.
Finally, green tea is well-known to boost your immune system and reduce the rate at which BPH progresses. Thanks to the number of catechins (antioxidants) in the tea, it’s a great daily option to maintain your prostate health. With that said, remember that green tea does contain caffeine. You’ll want to make sure you’re not drinking too much per day, especially if you know that caffeine worsens your BPH symptoms.
A healthy prostate is nothing to leave to chance. Follow these natural tips for a healthy prostate to ensure a high quality of life and overall wellness!
