How you can help yourself > Lifestyle
Adopting a healthier lifestyle, in terms of both diet and exercise, is obviously desirable. By staying slim and fit, you are more likely to remain healthy and, in particular, you will reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This may also benefit your prostate, as there is increasing evidence that overweight men and men with higher cholesterol levels are more susceptible to prostate cancer. BPH is also more common in obese men and surgery in obese individuals is more risky. Finally, prostatitis will often resolve as general health improves. In prostate disease, as in so many other areas, prevention is better than cure.
A healthy diet is essential for good health, and the best way to achieve this is to eat moderate quantities of a wide variety of the right foods. Try to eat or drink:
- less fat, particularly saturated fats, which are found in fatty meats and dairy products, and 'trans fats', which are found mostly in margarine and processed baked goods
- more fish and chicken (but not the skin), and less red meat
- plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables - try and eat at least five portions and aim for nine portions a day (see www.5aday.nhs.uk) [weblink]
- foods high in fibre, such as whole wheat bread and grains
- less sugar and salt
- only moderate amounts of tea, coffee and alcohol.
Regular exercise is essential for good health and plays an important role in reducing the risk of developing many diseases. A recent study in America found that men who undertook 3 hours of vigorous exercise per week were 70% less likely to develop or die from prostate cancer. Exercise also helps us to maintain a healthy body weight, particularly when combined with a healthy diet. The prominent 'beer belly' that is so characteristic of overweight men is strongly linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It therefore makes sense to try to do some moderate physical exercise for at least 30 minutes five times or more a week. Remember that vigorous exercise not only burns off calories as you do it, but also increases the metabolic rate for several hours after the exertion.
Those readers who smoke are strongly exhorted to give it up! Although smoking does not cause prostate disease directly, it may result in bladder and kidney cancer and, because it damages blood vessels, it may also result in reduced erections and sexual dysfunction.