Prostate cancer is one of the most dominant types of cancer American men face today. As a man ages, the walnut-sized prostate grows larger in size. An enlarged prostate is a harbinger of troubles that often ends up developing cancer.
The good news is that it's also one of the most treatable cancers and the recovery rate is good for cases that are detected early. Even though you can't simply stop prostate cancer from coming into existence, you can always make some lifestyle changes to promote a healthy prostate and discourage its growth.
Go Green
When it comes to keeping your prostate healthy, you should start making certain changes to your food habits.
Fruits and vegetables are goldmines of nutrients and you should double down on your plant-based intake. Opt for fruits and veggies like tomatoes, watermelon, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and kale.
Focus on adding whole grains such as barley, oats, and brown rice, omega-3 fatty acid sources like fish and olive oil, and green tea to your diet.
Consciously choosing a healthy diet is only the half job done - you should start avoiding the culprits as well. Stay away from processed and packaged food.
Commit to regular exercise
This goes without saying that an active life is often a healthier life. Men who run for a few hours and do some heavy lifting each week are more likely to enjoy a healthy prostate.
Regular exercise helps to de-stress the body and aids in hormonal balance. As stress is directly related to benign prostate hyperplasia (BHP), regular exercise can keep prostate enlargement at bay. If you're obese, you should try to maintain a healthy weight.
An active body is not just great for your prostate, but it's also a blessing for your heart and digestive system.
Check your consumption
Unhealthy prostate growth is directly linked to unhealthy life choices. These bad choices include heavy consumption of cigarettes and alcohol.
Start cutting down on your smoking and drinking patterns if you want the prostate to stay healthy. Tobacco causes tumor growths and completely ruins the oxygen-carrying properties of the red blood cells.
If you're not a fan of smoking and drinking, that’s great. Best to stay that way.
An unhealthy prostate is bad news for men all over the world, but it's particularly worse for African Americans and men with Scandinavian roots.
Apart from ethnicity, men who have a family history of prostate issues should also be aware of its impact.
Even though prostate cancer is more visible in men after the age of 65, the screening should start when they're well in their 40s. It's important to be honest about the implications of an enlarged prostate and be ready to talk to a doctor and take all the help necessary.
Regular screenings can help you chalk out a clear plan going forward and also help in the early detection of prostate issues.