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Top 12 Food Components that Keep Your Prostate Healthy and Fight Cancer
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With almost a quarter of a million men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US every year, and more than 30,000 men dying from this disease, don’t you wonder why more people aren’t talking about it?
Prostate cancer and BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, a non-cancerous swelling of the prostate gland) truly used to be a disease of the elderly, with most patients not being diagnosed with this disease until their mid-80’s. Now it is being seen in men as early as 50 years of age.
If you have read our article about prostate cancer, its symptoms and risk factors, then you know the main 4 symptoms: urination problems, pain in the hips or pelvis, blood in the semen, and erectile dysfunction.
What can you do to stop the development of BPH and cancer of the prostate?
Although you can’t do anything about race or genetics, but you can keep your weight down. Obese men run a higher risk. Also, men who eat a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fish have a lower risk than men who eat lots of red meat.
You can also take some of the following 12 food components that are known for supporting a healthy prostate and immune system. Mother Nature has provided us with everything we need to stay healthy for many, many years. Isn’t it great that we can probably avoid the #2 killer of men simply by consuming food with particular elements, or adding herbs and roots to our meals? Keep reading for our list of the 12 best.
1. Suma
Not widely known in the US, Suma regulates and improves the endocrine system. Digestive and cardiovascular system, as well as boosts the immune system. It contains lots of essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, as well as a powerful immune system stimulator, a trace element called germanium. It’s this substance that is thought to give Suma cell building and regenerating effects by bringing more oxygen to the cells.
2. Astragalus
This herb has a strange name, but it really stimulates the immune system. It increases stem cells in both the bone marrow and lymph tissues. It triggers immune cells to go from a resting state to an active state. It also activates natural killer cells and T-cells. The polysaccharides this herb contains were shown in some studies to activate the immune-mediated anti-tumor activity of interleukin-2. This means it improved the response of lymphocytes in both normal subjects and those with cancer as well.
3. Hydrangea Root
More than just a pretty flower, the root from these plants contains glycosides, resins, saponins, rutin, flavonoids, and essential oils. This root extract is well recognized as working to treat enlarged or inflamed prostate glands.
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4. Saw Palmetto
This is usually the first thing men think of when they think of prostate health. It is often used as the first line of defense against BPH. Many urologists will recommend taking this herb if you have early symptoms, such as frequent urination. It works by blocking the production of the hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge. Although scientists aren’t sure why this hormone causes this enlargement, but they do know that saw palmetto stops the body from making more of it. This herb helps millions of men every year and has absolutely no side effects what so ever. If you find that you don’t get relief from taking this herb, try another brand. The exact active ingredient in this herb has yet to be identified so the many different formulations that exist can be the problem. The herb works, without a doubt, so try another brand if you don’t get the results you want within 30 days.
5. Red Clover
Used to treat a wide variety of issues – from the hot flashes of menopause to infertility in women to psoriasis – red clover is full of isoflavones, the same protein that is found in soybeans. The problem with consuming soybeans is that they are mostly GMO nowadays. Red clover not only has been shown to inhibit prostate and other cancerous tumors, but it can also help those with BPH. One study showed that red clover improved urine flow and lowered other problematic symptoms by as much as 23 percent.
6. African Tree Bark
This remedy is so popular in Africa and Europe that this tree is now on the endangered species list! African Tree Bark (pygeum africanum) brings relief from many symptoms and reduces the swelling of the prostate by reducing inflammation. Many people use this bark along with saw palmetto for best results.
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7. Bloodroot
The extract from bloodroot has shown great promise when it comes to fighting various cancers, including prostate cancer. Bloodroot has antioxidant, anti-plaque, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, fungicide, and anti-neoplastic compounds, just to name a few.
SEE ALSO: Can Certain Foods Kill Cancer Cells as Well as Chemo?
8. Licorice Root
This is an old fashioned remedy for prostate problems. This root has powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, rejuvenating, sedative, anti-hepatotoxic, and phytoestrogens. Antibody production is greatly enhanced by glycyrrhizin.
9. Burdock Root
The extracts from this root have been shown to destroy fungus and bacteria in tests done with cultures, as well as showing some very strong anti-tumor compounds and activity. This root is rich in chromium, iron, cobalt, magnesium, zinc, potassium, silicon, and vitamin E, as well as the B complex. Burdock root tea is available just about everywhere.
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10. Turmeric
Some of the most recent studies show that turmeric has some really strong promise as a means of treating all different types of cancer, including cancer of the prostate. The curcumin in turmeric has compounds that protect the liver, destroy dangerous carcinogens in the body, and is a powerful free-radical scavenger, killing those elements that cause damage on a cellular level.
11. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and tomato products (such as tomato paste, sauce, juice, etc.) are also associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, so be sure you add plenty of these red, juicy vegetables to your, diet. A study performed with more than 47,000 subjects at Harvard University in 2003 showed that men who ate 10 servings of tomatoes or tomato products each week reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer by a whopping 50 percent! This is thought to be due to the high level of lycopene that tomatoes have. Lycopene is what gives tomatoes their red color and is a type of carotene that is more powerful than even beta carotene.
12. Zinc
This mineral has been shown to be most effective at reliving enlarged or inflamed prostate glands. In fact, some studies show that a lack of zinc in the body often results in prostate enlargement. 50 to 100mgs of zinc is needed each day to shrink an enlarged prostate and most men find it next to impossible to consume enough foods to give them this amount of zinc in their diets. A good quality zinc supplement should be taken to eliminate a zinc deficiency as a cause of prostate enlargement.
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Marvin Zinn
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:09 pm
For my prostate cancer I refused surgery and radiation, for which doctors expected me dead by the end of last year. With graviola and turmeric, avoiding most sugar and all dairy products, I hardly notice it anymore. Probably I still have it, but obviously shrinking unless I go back to what I used to eat.