Can a Healthy Diet Prevent Prostate Cancer?

July 01, 2011, By Steve Thompson 0 comments

Nobody likes to talk about cancer of any type, but this is especially true of prostate cancer. It's an uncomfortable topic most often reserved for closed-door meetings with your GP, but not talking about it can be dangerous.

Research has shown that there are ways for men to decrease their likelihood of developing prostate cancer, and chief among them are nutrition and exercise. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation's report, an increase in body fat is sometimes linked to the development of this disease, and one of the best ways to avoid it is to cultivate healthful habits.

Decrease Sugar Intake

The PCF suggests that our bodies convert certain forms of sugar into fat more quickly than others. High-fructose corn syrup, which has been much maligned in health journals and in the news of late, is one such culprit. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll probably reach for a candy bar every once in a while regardless of what the nutrition experts say. However, avoiding prostate cancer and other diseases means staying away from processed sugar as much as possible.

Try to avoid foods like:

• Soda
• Candy
• Salad Dressing
• Pastries
• Sauces

The good news is that our health-conscious society has inspired food manufacturers to create alternatives to these products that don't contain harmful sugars. Shopping at health-food stores will yield plenty of ideas if you need a sugar fix but don't want to jeopardize your health.

Decrease Fat Intake

A high-fat diet is a bad idea for numerous reasons, but most importantly because it can lead to prostate cancer and other diseases. This doesn't mean you need to see the doctor every time you get a craving for a cheeseburger and french fries, but it does suggest you should cut down on fatty foods.

Fried foods, in particular, can lead you down a rocky road. Instead of hauling out the oil, try baking your favorites—chicken, potatoes, fish—to cut down on the calories. And if you're looking for the crunchy texture provided by fried foods, try rolling chicken tenders or filets of fish in breadcrumbs before sticking them in the oven.