HEALTH MATTERS
and prostate cancer is localized to the prostate gland . In the last two decades , earlier diagnosis and treatment , has led to marked decrease in fatalities caused by prostate cancer . When cancer care is delayed or inaccessible there is a lower chance of survival , greater problems associated with treatment and higher costs of care .
Obesity and Prostate Cancer
Recent studies have indicated that the risk of dying from prostate cancer is more than double in obese men diagnosed with the disease compared with men of normal weight at the time of diagnosis . Obese men with local or regional disease have been shown to have nearly four times the risk of their cancer spreading beyond the prostate or metastasizing .
Obesity results from a combination of factors , including excessive consumption of high-calorie foods over a long period of time , reduced physical activity , and the presence of genes that make obesity more likely . The number of calories needed varies from person to person , depending on age , sex , activity level , and metabolic rate .
An eating plan for weight management should include consumption of a variety low energy healthy foods in addition to increased physical activity . The eating plan
“ Choosing a healthy diet that ’ s low in fat and full of fruits and vegetables contributes to a lower risk of prostate cancer .”
should emphasize on plenty of fruits , vegetables and whole grains .
Important Lifestyle Interventions for Prostate Cancer
Making a few simple changes in your daily eating habits helps support healthier living as you recover from prostate cancer , and may even decrease the risk of your cancer getting worse .
Fruits and Vegetables
Incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into many of your weekly meals . Fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of antioxidants . Antioxidants benefit the body by removing free radicals . Free radicals can attack healthy cells and permanently disrupt their operation .
Saturated Fats
Try to keep the amount of saturated fats that you get from dairy products to a minimum . Several studies have reported that saturated fat intake is associated with an increased risk of
developing advanced prostate cancer , while long-chain omega-3 fatty acids ( the “ good fat ” found in fish such as salmon ) are associated with lower risk . Avoid processed meats that contain nitrates , or charred meat , which have been shown to have cancer-promoting properties . Choose fish , lean poultry , or plant-based proteins such as nuts and beans instead .
Exercise most days of the week
Exercise improves your overall health , boosts your mood and helps you maintain your weight . Try to exercise most days of the week . If you are new to exercise , start slow and work your way up to more exercise time each day .
Maintain a healthy weight
If your current weight is healthy , work to maintain it by choosing a healthy diet and exercising most days of the week . If you need to lose weight , add more exercise and reduce the number of calories you consume each day . It ’ s advisable to see a nutritionist to get a weight loss meal plan . ■
Kepha Nyanumba is a seasoned Marketing Africa Columnist working as a Consultant Nutritionist at Crystal Health Consultants Limited . You can engage him via mail :
knyanumba @ chc . co . ke or follow him on twitter :
@ knyanumba
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