5 Ways To Protect Your Prostate Health

It’s no secret that prostate cancer is a serious health concern for men. In fact, an estimated 1 in 8 men get a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. Furthermore, it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in male Americans. While these numbers can be scary, the good news is there are steps you can take to protect your prostate health.

Rajesh Dave, MD, at Gulf West Medical Associates in Port Richey, Florida, is a big believer in preventive healthcare. With this approach, he provides patients with customized strategies and tools to help them keep from getting sick in the first place.

This, in turn, can help patients live healthier lives and reduce the chances of getting diseases, such as prostate cancer. In this blog, he explains five ways you can help protect your prostate.

1. Watch your diet

What you eat may not come to mind when you think about your prostate health, but not eating the right food could keep your body from functioning properly, including your prostate.

The next time you start filling up your plate, add plenty of green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, lettuce, and broccoli. These veggies have vitamins and antioxidants that help keep your prostate and entire body healthy.

You can also help protect your prostate by:

• Choosing whole-grain breads, pastas, and cereals
• Limiting red and processed meats, such as beef, lamb, pork, hot dogs, and baloney
• Avoiding sweets and sugary drinks
• Reducing salt

Finally, take your time at meals, watch your portion sizes, and stop eating when you’re full.

2. Get enough vitamin D

Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient for numerous bodily functions, from the immune system and muscle health to cell growth. But, did you know it can also slow the progression of prostate cancer?

Natural sunlight is one of the most accessible sources of vitamin D, but be aware that too much sun exposure can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Other sources of vitamin D include:

• Fortified dairy, juice, cereals, and margarines
• Nuts and seeds
• Lean meats, egg yolks, and beef liver

However, Dr. Dave could recommend a vitamin D supplement to ensure you get the nutrients you need.

3. Move your body

Along with a healthy diet, regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health and prostate. 

Physical activity comes with numerous proven benefits, including reducing your chances of suffering deadly problems, such as stroke, heart disease, and certain cancers. But, it doesn’t stop there. When it comes to male reproductive and urinary health, it also decreases your risk of developing erectile dysfunction, chronic prostatitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms.

BPH is more commonly known as an enlarged prostate, which can lead to a frequent need or urge to urinate as well as difficulty emptying the bladder completely.

4. Manage your stress

One common thing people do when they're under stress is tense their back and pelvic muscles. While this may not lead to prostate problems, it can negatively impact existing issues, such as BPH. 

If you have a lot of stress, incorporating stress management techniques into your daily life may help you reduce tension in your body. Dr. Dave can offer personalized suggestions to get you started, such as breathing exercises, meditation, tai chi, and yoga.

5. Partner with a pro

Finally, no matter what, find a healthcare provider you can trust, such as Dr. Dave, to protect your prostate health.

Dr. Dave takes the time to get to know each of the people in his care. With his personalized approach, he takes into account your genes, family history, and other factors that could put your health at risk. 

Based on this information, Dr. Dave outlines a screening and testing strategy to detect any issues as early as possible, which is when they’re most treatable. Prostate exams typically start at age 40 for people at high risk of disease and age 55 for those with normal risk.

Your risk of developing prostate cancer could be higher if you’re African-American, of Scandinavian descent, or have at least two family members who have a history of the condition.

To learn more about what you can do to protect your prostate health and overall health, call 727-848-0247 or book an appointment online with Gulf West Medical Associates today.