Prostate health is so important for men to think about, but unfortunately, they often don’t until it’s too late and there’s a problem. There is a range of benign and also malignant prostate conditions that can develop in this gland, which is located at the base of the male bladder. Some men can experience an enlarged prostate as they get older, which can be an annoyance but not necessarily serious health wise. However, there’s also prostate cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in men in America and more than 200,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. Prostate cancer is relatively slow growing but still can require that you have to regularly see your doctor for the rest of your life on a relatively frequent basis. It’s best to be proactive with prostate health, and there are some simple ways to do that.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is not only one of the best things you can do to keep your prostate healthy, but for your entire body. A prostate-friendly diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some of the best fruits, in particular, include watermelons, grapefruits, papaya, and tomatoes. These fruits have something called lycopene, which is an antioxidant that’s valuable for prostate health. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, and kale are also good options. Berries are good because they have antioxidants as well, and antioxidants aren’t just good for helping prevent prostate problems. They can also help prevent other types of cancer.
Eat Foods Rich in Selenium
Along with the benefits of having fruits and vegetables that are packed with antioxidants, you should also think about eating foods that have a lot of selenium. Selenium is in many types of seafood such as tuna, herring, and shellfish. It’s also found in eggs, certain seeds, and nuts, onions, garlic, and mushrooms.
Drink Green Tea
Green tea is really an amazing drink with a range of possible benefits, and just one of those is that it reduces your risk of developing prostate cancer. You can brew yourself a cup of green tea a few times a day, and it may also help you lose weight, and can even give your mental health a boost. If you don’t like drinking green tea, you can take a green tea supplement instead. If you’re a caffeine lover, you can also rejoice because it’s believed that drinking coffee every day can reduce your risk of developing fatal prostate cancer, although don’t drink so much that you’re putting yourself at risk for other health issues. A good amount is usually a cup and a half a day. Finally, make sure you’re getting screened regularly, particularly if you’re part of a high-risk group. Men who are part of a normal risk group are usually advised to start getting screenings at age 55, and high-risk men should start getting screenings at 40 in most people. A high-risk person would include African-American men, people from a Scandinavian background, and people who have at least two family members who were diagnosed with prostate cancer.