Friday, March 25, 2011

Foods For Prostate Cancer Prevention

Prostate cancer is one of the most preventable diseases, according to the American Cancer Society. Healthy eating and changes in diet are keys to preventing prostate cancer. By substituting protein-rich foods like beans rather than red meat, and easing back on dairy products and drinking soy milk instead, you can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, feel better and possibly live longer. These strategies outline the best foods to eat for preventing prostate cancer.


Drink and eat dairy substitutes


The science is compelling: studies at Harvard University show men who stopped drinking milk and consuming dairy products cut their risk of prostate cancer by up to 40 percent. They replaced chemically modified, hormone-heavy dairy products with soy and rice milk. Adding soy milk to cereal is a popular way to get the nutritional benefit without eating dairy.


Pass the beans


High-protein, high-fiber beans are an excellent substitute for red meat, which is known to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Beans also naturally reduce high testosterone levels that can contribute to prostate cancer. Pinto, kidney and black beans are also rich in inositol pentakisphosphate, which is a compound that helps prevent cancers.


Lycopenes, beta-carotenes and cruciferous vegetables


Though it sounds like a mouthful, lycopenes, beta-carotenes and cruciferous vegetables can be easily remembered as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli and califlower. Medical studies show men who eat foods rich in lycopene like tomatoes can cut their risk of prostate cancer by more than 33 percent.


Sweet potatoes, carrots and cantaloupes contain beta-carotene to boost wellness and strengthen the body's immune system. Raw or cooked, carrots, swet potatoes and cantaloupes can prevent cancer.


Broccoli cauliflower and other and other cruciferous vegetables contain a chemical called sulphoraphane, which lowers testosterone and thus fights prostate cancer.


Steaming rather than boiling vegetables will lock in more of the cancer-fighting nutrients.







Tags: prostate cancer, risk prostate, risk prostate cancer, cruciferous vegetables, dairy products, beta-carotenes cruciferous, beta-carotenes cruciferous vegetables