Prostate cancer is a serious disease that affects the prostate, that walnut-sized gland responsible for producing semen. It is the most common non-skin cancer among men and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. The cause of this malignant menace remains unknown but experts suggest it is likely to be a complex mix of multiple factors including age, genetics, race, diet and lifestyle.
If the prospect of incontinence, erectile dysfunction and testicular pain (the common symptoms of prostate cancer) scare you, start taking care of your jizz-maker while you still can. While we cannot stop the aging process or alter our genetic makeup, we can very much change some aspects of our lifestyle to lower our risk to prostate cancer. We list down some preventative measures that will help keep your precious gland in tip top shape and lethal cancer at bay.
Eat Healthy
It goes without saying that a balanced diet is the key to good health. If you want to reduce your risk of prostate cancer, consider choosing a diet that is low in fat and full of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and other cancer-fighting agents.
Eat as much ripe tomatoes as you can as they are packed with a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. According to a study, men who had at least 10 servings a week of tomato-based foods were up to 45% less likely to develop prostate cancer.
Other veggies to fill your plate with are cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, broccoli and kale, which are chock-full of selenium, a trace mineral known to help lower the risk of prostate cancer by combating cell damage.
Reduce your intake of red meat and other fatty animal products such as milk and cheese. If you have to eat meat, choose the leaner cuts and be careful not to overcook them. Over-cooked meat produces cancer-causing substances called carcinogens and doubles your prostate cancer risk.
Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and herring, are excellent alternative to red meat. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fatty acid that has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. According to a study, diets high in Omega-3 oils resulted in as much as a 63% reduction in the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. A recent study which contradicts this finding is believed to be flawed. So go ahead and eat fish!
Spice up your meals with lots of garlic, onion, ginger, cayenne, oregano, and rosemary. These herbs and spices do not only flavor your food, they are also beneficial in fighting prostate cancer. A study reveals that these herbs and spices showed a retardation of prostate cancer cell growth by 78% in lab settings.
Drink Healthy
Studies show that beer contains Xanthohumol, a naturally occurring substance in hops (a main ingredient in beer) which is reported to be anti-carcinogenic. But before you rush to the nearest pub to celebrate this awesome piece of information, be warned that you would need to drink 17 glasses of beer a day to get the optimum benefits of Xanthohumol! Drinking all that beer might save you from cancer but can cause you all sorts of heart, liver and pancreatic issues. Not exactly a great excuse for binge drinking.
A better beverage would be red wine which contains resveratrol, a variety of antioxidant that fights free radicals and cancer throughout the body. Resveratrol is particularly helpful in blocking the spread of prostate cancer. A glass or two of red wine a day would suffice. Gulping more than that will negate the benefits!
Exercise
Exercise is a proven preventer of diseases. Studies show that exercise, particularly those that get the blood pumping and the heart racing, is linked to a reduction in multiple types of cancer, specifically, the prostate. So climb mountains or engage in similar sports to improve circulation, increase energy, enhance metabolism and boost the immune system.
Engage in physical activities to lose excess weight and boost immunity against cancer
If mountain climbing is too extreme for you, try other activities such as biking, jogging, spinning, swimming or even dancing, and engage in them on a regular basis. You may also include physical activities in your daily routine by parking your car farther away from where you’re going or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. The idea is to be physically active.
Exercise regularly to maintain your ideal weight and lose excess weight particularly the fat in your midsection. Visceral fat, more popularly known as the beer belly, produces inflammatory chemicals and alters hormone ratios in ways that increase the risk of many types of cancer, including prostate cancer, a study says.
Have Sex, Lots Of It
Most of you probably think this is the best tip on this list. Studies have shown that men who ejaculate more frequently may have a lower risk of prostate cancer. Results were the same whether the men took matters into their own hands or with company. According to the researchers, the reason ejaculation can reduce cancer risk is because it reduces the amount of carcinogens held in the prostate gland by literally cleaning up the plumbing.
Apart from using a condom, apply ToppCock Silver before and after sexual activities. ToppCock Silver contains real silver nanoparticles and tea tree oil, both known for their anti-bacterial, fungal and viral properties. The easy-to-apply gel formulation will help keep your private parts free from odor and infection-causing microbes.
Prostate cancer may not hit you until you reach your 50’s but it is better to keep the risk factors to a minimum this early. By following these preventive tips, we hope to help you lower your risk of prostate cancer as well as other cancers and chronic diseases.