When you're being treated for cancer, it's more important than ever to eat right and get adequate nutrition, but it can also be more difficult than ever to adhere to a balanced cancer diet. Your body is working overtime to fight cancer, while it's also doing extra duty to repair healthy cells that may have been damaged as a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. At the same time, many cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, come with side effects that drain your strength and sap your appetite. So how can you make sure you're getting all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals you need to maintain a balanced cancer diet?
Prostate cancer is a type of common cancer that is marked by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland in men that is located just below the bladder. Prostate cancer, itself, can be slow-growing and often begins without any significant symptoms. However, many prostate cancers are more aggressive and can spread outside the confines of the prostate gland, which can be deadly. The prostate cancer survival rate is greatly improved with early detection and personalized treatment. A healthy eating pattern and lifestyle can also help to promote improvement in such conditions.
Diet recommendations
National Human Genome R/ Flickr | More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year
The two diets known to be associated with longevity and reduced risks for prostate cancer are the traditional Japanese diet and a Southern Mediterranean diet. The Japanese diet is high in green tea, soy, vegetables, and fish, as well as low in calories and fat. The Mediterranean diet is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, olive oil, and fish. Both are low in red meat.
Fruit and vegetables
Lachlan Ross/ Pexels | Prostate cancer usually grows very slowly, often causing no symptoms until it is in an advanced stage
Fruit and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet and a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables helps lower your risk of health problems, including heart disease and some cancers. It can also help you lose weight or stay at a healthy weight.
Aim to eat at least five portions (400g) of fruit and vegetables each day–they can be fresh, frozen, dried, or tinned with no added sugar or salt. Try to choose tinned fruit with natural juice rather than syrup. One portion of fresh, canned, or frozen fruit and vegetables is roughly 80g in weight. Try to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables of different colors each day, as they contain different nutrients.
Pomegranate juice
Leandro Boogalu/ Pexels | 97% of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are above age 50
Like green tea, pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants. Pomegranate juice has a reputation as a super fruit due to its high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants may help prevent chronic diseases related to oxidative stress. Doctors often say that pomegranate juice and some of its bioactive components may help inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. You can buy pomegranate juice at most grocery stores. If drinking the juice plain is too intense, consider diluting it with plain water or adding some sparkling water to it.
