Men’s Health Awareness Month - Focus on Prostate Cancer
November is Men’s Health Awareness month. Globally, men die on average 5 years earlier than women. Often this is for reasons that are largely preventable. For many men just making...
November is Men’s Health Awareness month. Globally, men die on average 5 years earlier than women. Often this is for reasons that are largely preventable. For many men just making a few simple dietary and lifestyle changes could improve physical and mental health and lead to a healthier, happier and longer life. Here we will focus on nutritional and lifestyle factors that may support prostate health and reduce the risk of prostate cancer – the second most common cancer in men worldwide (1).
The Prostate Gland
Only men have a prostate gland. The prostate gland is usually the size and shape of a walnut and grows bigger as you get older. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube men urinate and ejaculate through. Its main job is to help make semen.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate enlargement, is a non-cancerous increase in size of the prostate gland. Symptoms may be similar to those of prostate cancer (see below).
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate reproduce more rapidly than normal, resulting in a tumour. Prostate cancer often grows slowly to start with and may never cause any problems. However, sometimes prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body producing secondary tumours in a process known as metastasis.
The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, but that doesn’t mean it’s a disease that only affects old men. If you’re 50 it’s important to talk to your doctor about PSA testing. If you’re black or have a brother or father who’ve had prostate cancer you need to start that conversation at 45 as you may be at increased risk.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer and BPH
Changes in urinary or sexual function may indicate the presence of prostate problems. Symptoms may include:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Not everyone with prostate problems experiences symptoms so it’s important to have regular check ups. BPH is diagnosed through symptoms and examination.
Prostate cancer is diagnosed through a blood test which measures the concentration of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in the blood. As with most diseases, the earlier it is detected the better treatment outcomes are likely to be.
Treating prostate cancer
Many prostate cancers are slow growing and may not need radical treatment.
Treatment options include:
- Active Surveillance – observing signs and symptoms and looking out for any changes
- Prostatectomy – removal of the prostate
- Radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- Terapia hormonal
Nutrition and Prostate Health
Regional differences in the incidence of prostate cancer is likely to be at least partly due to dietary habits. It’s recommended to maintain a healthy body weight and to follow a healthy dietary pattern including plenty of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. Certain foods and dietary patterns have been shown to reduce the risk and progression of prostate cancer or to be protective against benign prostatic hyperplasia (2,3,4). Éstos incluyen:
- Soy protein such as tofu
- Omega 3 fats – found in oily fish, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds
- Té verde
- Tomatoes and tomato products. These are rich in lycopene (2,5)
- Fruit and vegetables (2,5)
- Low red meat and saturated fat intake (2,5)
- Mediterranean diet rich in antioxidants (5)
- Ejercicio 2)
Nutrients for Prostate Health
Las vitaminas A, C, D y E, así como los polifenoles potencialmente afectan la patogénesis y la progresión del cáncer de próstata a través de diversos mecanismos, incluida la inflamación, los efectos antioxidantes y la acción de las hormonas sexuales (4). Sin embargo, no es un caso de más es mejor; Demasiada vitamina C y D, folato y calcio pueden aumentar el riesgo de cáncer de próstata (4).
La salud de intestino y próstata
Estudios recientes informan que la microbiota intestinal contribuye al desarrollo de tumores en algunos órganos. Los estudios en humanos muestran un aumento en la abundancia de ciertas bacterias intestinales en pacientes con cáncer de próstata. La dieta y el estilo de vida tienen un efecto directo en las bacterias intestinales. (3). Los probióticos también se pueden usar para influir en el equilibrio de los organismos en el intestino.
La glándula de la próstata normalmente contiene niveles extremadamente altos de zinc (). La pérdida de zinc es un sello distintivo del desarrollo del cáncer de próstata. Se sabe que el exceso de zinc previene el crecimiento de los cánceres de próstata y puede ser que el zinc pueda ser un enfoque efectivo para la prevención y el tratamiento del cáncer (5,7). Se necesita más investigación sobre los mecanismos involucrados.
Medicina vegetal
Las plantas medicinales o extractos y nutrientes que se usan comúnmente para el tratamiento de enfermedades de la próstata, como la hipertrofia benigna y la prostatitis, incluyen Saw Palmetto, Pygeum africanum, ortigas, licopeno, astaxantina, selenio y zinc. Estos tienen acciones antioxidantes y antiinflamatorias. Para la hiperplasia prostática benigna (BPH), la quercetina, el equol, la curcumina y el extracto de polen pueden ser efectivos (5).
Tom Oliver Nutrition Products
Lo siguiente puede tener un efecto beneficioso en muchos aspectos de la salud, incluida la salud de la próstata:
Multivitamín para hombres de Tom Oliver - Contiene ortiga, licopeno, selenio y zinc