Prostate Cancer Diet Say YES to SOY

What is a prostate diet? Why do so many men have prostate cancer? Canadian researchers have observed that diets rich in red meat, soft drinks and bottled water lead to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. So what type of prostate diet can do the opposite and reduce the chances of people developing prostate cancer? A report by Swedish researchers, published in the Cancer Causes and Control journal, mentions the importance of phytoestrogens in a prostate diet.

Prostate Diet The Importance of Phytoestrogens

So what are phytoestrogens exactly? They are plant molecules which have a mild estrogenic effect. Phytoestrogens are produced from plant precursors as bacteria digests food in the intestines. The phytoestrogens are then picked up by organs that process estrogen. A good prostate diet includes phytoestrogens.

Estrogen has been used by doctors to reduce the level of testosterone to treat prostate cancer in advanced stages. The effects of estrogen are largely indirect. It works by affecting the hypothalamus, making it release less luteinizing hormone. Less luteinizing hormone in the body suppresses the production of testosterone.

Phytoestrogens provide men with the ideal quantities of estrogen. Too much estrogen can actually lead to cardiovascular complications. Taking estrogen in drug form may be too strong, which is why phytoestrogens provide the ideal mild dosage. Despite the strong link researchers have discovered between phytoestrogens and prostate cancer prevention, little is still known about how exactly it works.

What foods have phytoestrogen which you can include in your prostate diet? Soy products, beans, berries, seeds and nuts are good sources of phytoestrogen and should be included in any prostate diet. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer revealed that men who have a prostate diet with high amounts of soy lowered their chances of getting prostate cancer by as much as 30 percent.

While soy products are generally believed to be good for individuals, some studies involving mice suggests that soy products may have negative effects on those with heart ailments. While the study has not been done on humans, it is good to caution people with heart conditions about the potential effects including soy products in their prostate diet.

Aside from phytoestrogen, there are many nutrients that can be included in men's prostate diet. Zinc is one important mineral which men should not ignore in a prostate diet. Men utilize zinc to make some male hormones which help keep the prostate healthy. Foods that are rich in zinc include pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds - and nuts such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts. Men should also add vegetables like lettuce, onions, beet root and carrots to their prostate diet.