Does Diet Play an Important Role in Preventing Enlarged Prostate

Dr.Vikas Agarwal, 4 mins read

The prostate is a tiny walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder in males. When sexual activity is in progress, the prostate gland secretes enzymes that are essential for the normal function and motility of spermatozoa.

As men age, the prostate gland may grow more prominent, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.

About 50 percent of males older than 50 suffer from an increased prostate size or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), As Per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. At age 80, almost 90% of men live with BPH.

The positive side is that a balanced diet of minerals and vitamins will keep your prostate in good shape and reduce your risk of developing BPH. Being overweight is a risk factor in developing BPH. Making healthy food choices can be a great option to reduce your weight and risk of developing BPH.

Diet and An Enlarged Prostate

An enlarged prostate is a prevalent condition. According to some studies, around 50% of men above 50 suffer from BPH. The severity of symptoms can vary based on various aspects. While maintaining your health and fitness by eating a balanced diet is beneficial, as we age, eating habits can be more critical when it comes to BPH. 

Nutrition and food might play a part in preventing prostate enlargement. The fact that is clear, however, is that many symptoms of BPH signs can be successfully managed with the help of specific diet guidelines and controlling the intake of fluids.

Foods to Eat

If you are diagnosed with BPH, you must speak with your physician before beginning the Diet to help you manage your prostate size. Certain foods are beneficial to prostate health. Here are a few foods that you can consider adding to your Diet

Vitamin C

Researchers believe that consuming Vitamin C promotes prostate health and reduces the chance of an enlarged prostate. This implies that adding fresh fruits and juices may help in preventing BPH. Additionally, vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Kale, and so on are excellent sources of Vitamin C. 

Therefore, the inclusion of foods high in vitamin C can be advised.

Fiber

The majority of people who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are advised to maintain an ideal weight. Obesity or overweight can harm your prostate health, increasing your risk of developing prostate cancer. 

Foods that are high in fiber can aid in weight reduction. Additionally, they boost the feeling of fullness and reduce constipation (an essential but modifiable issue that may aggravate symptoms). Fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and pulses are significant in natural fiber and should be a part of your prostate-friendly Diet.

Lycopene

Foods rich in lycopene improve prostate health and reduce cancer risk. The foods that contain a lot of lycopene are papaya, tomatoes, watermelon, and Apricots.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Besides lowering harmful cholesterol levels and decreasing the likelihood of heart attacks, Omega 3 fatty acids are also known to boost prostate health and reduce the chance of developing prostate cancer. 

The best food choices to include Omega 3 fatty acids in your Diet are fish such as trout or salmon and herring. Other foods you should consume in moderation include flaxseeds, soybeans, and walnuts.

Consuming more vegetables can reduce your risk of developing BPH. Green leafy vegetables are particularly crucial because they're high in antioxidants. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli can lower the risk of prostate-related problems such as BPH and prostate cancer.

People who consume onion and garlic often may benefit from a lower chance of BPH. Garlic and onions are commonly utilized in natural remedies to combat infection and improve your immune system.

Foods to stay clear of

In addition to the foods that are essential to include in your prostate-enlarged Diet, Certain food items are thought to promote BPH development. These include –

Caffeine

Caffeine can cause diuretic effects; this means it will increase urinary output i.e how much it is, how often, and the speed at which one has to go to the bathroom. Reduced consumption of soda, tea, coffee, and chocolate can help treat urinary symptoms caused by BPH.

Dairy

Similar to meat, frequent consumption of dairy products has been associated with an increased chance of BPH. Eliminating or reducing cheese, butter, and milk could reduce BPH symptoms.

Red meat

Research suggests that cutting out red meat can increase the health of your prostate. Daily consumption has been found to increase the chance of prostate enlargement.

Sodium

A diet high in salt could cause an increase in the symptoms of the urinary tract related to BPH. A low-sodium diet that involves making sure not to add salt to meals and avoiding processed foods could benefit those men with BPH symptoms.

Alcohol

Alcohol can also increase the production of urine. People suffering from BPH might notice that their symptoms have been alleviated by quitting alcohol.

More thoughts regarding Diet

The significance of total proteins in the Diet and the connection to BPH is unclear. Studies found an increased risk of BPH among men who ate significant amounts of red meat. However, other studies showed an inverse relationship between risk and BPH for men with high total protein levels, particularly derived from sources like fish.

Research on diet supplements and herbal treatments like saw palmetto, lycopene, and beta-sitosterol BPH have produced mixed results.

Regular exercise, keeping an eye on your waistline, eating fruits and vegetables, and monitoring the amount of fat in your Diet can help you manage BPH and reduce the chance of developing erectile dysfunction, diabetes, and heart disease.

Treatment for BPH is dependent on the degree of symptoms. Sometimes, just fundamental changes to your lifestyle are required.

However, treatments or surgical procedures effectively reduce the prostate size or the symptoms associated with BPH.

Conclusion

The treatment for BPH can involve a range of actions, from simple lifestyle and dietary adjustments at home to medication and surgical procedures. Reducing your consumption of red meat and eating lots of vegetables and fruits will help to manage symptoms.

It is crucial to stay in touch with a physician about any symptoms, particularly when the doctor suggests the "wait and watch" approach.

If the lifestyle modifications suggested do not reduce symptoms, then an aggressive approach may be required.

Also, Read: Common Myths and Facts about Kidney Stones