Nutritional Prostate Cancer Treatment
Alike the other standard treatments of prostate cancer, nutrition also plays an important role in prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. It is found that good nutrition may reduce the occurrence of prostate cancer and help to reduce the progression of disease. A nutritional prostate cancer treatment consists of healthy diet that is rich in nutrients and low in fats. Foods we eat are the best sources of nutrition and also contain vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Nutritional food is preferred to nutritional supplements as it contains many nutrients than the supplements. Some of the foods rich in nutrients and generally recommended for nutritional prostate cancer treatment include:
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of nutrition and eating them may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, vitamins and minerals that are required by our body. Fruits that are rich in nutrients include apples, watermelon, papaya, pink grapefruit, apricots, cherries and strawberries. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, beets, carrots, brussels sprouts, kale, collards, mustard greens and cauliflower are rich in nutrients and help in lowering the risk of prostate cancer.
Fiber
Fiber not only helps in reducing the risk of prostate cancer but also helps to lower blood cholesterol. A diet high in fiber helps to reduce hormone levels, which may promote the progression of prostate cancer. Natural fiber that is obtained from fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Foods that are high in fibers include oats, beans, whole-wheat breads, rice bran, wheat cereals, rye, wheat bran, citrus fruits, peas and barley.
Soy
Some studies show that soy may help to prevent prostate cancer. But it is not yet known that how much soy is needed to prevent prostate cancer. Soy contains phytonutrients called isoflavones, which are believed to prevent the development of advanced stages of prostate cancer. Green soybeans, soymilk, soynuts, tofu and soy cheese are the sources of soy. Eating plenty of soy is not recommended as it may cause gas. Therefore eat it in limited amounts.
Fat
As fats contain nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K that are important for our body, some fats should be included in your diet. But try to have a low-fat diet. Reduce the intake of meat and butter and increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered to prevent prostate cancer.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce risk for prostate cancer as well as reduce the risk of progression of prostate cancer. They reduce the production of cells thereby decreasing the rate of prostate cancer progression. Studies show that consuming fish, 3 or more times a week reduces the risk of prostate cancer. The foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may include walnuts, soybeans, cold-water fish and canola oil.
Selenium
Studies show that selenium reduces the risk of prostate cancer by inhibiting cellular changes that may lead to prostate cancer. Food is the best source of selenium. Foods that are rich in selenium include wheat bread, onions, Brazil nuts, mushrooms, brown rice, fish, eggs and soybeans. It is found that some selenium supplements reduce the recurrence of prostate cancer. They are effective when taken along with food.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is considered to be important in the protection of human prostate cells. Some of the studies show that vitamin D may reduce the risk of prostate cancers. People who have vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop cancer. Sun exposure is the natural source of vitamin D. Other sources of vitamin D include vitamin supplements, fortified orange juice, cereal, soymilk or yogurt.
These foods, which are high in nutrients, are used for nutritional prostate cancer treatments. They will definitely help to improve the condition.