The walnut-sized prostate gland produces semen, the fluid that combines with sperm to provide nutrients and protection to the sperm. In addition, the muscle fibers in the prostate gland contract to help push the semen out of the man’s body upon ejaculation. The prostate can affect urination and sexual performance because of its location in front of and below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Prostate problems include enlargement, infection, inflammation and cancer.
Overview
Making healthy diet and lifestyle choices will benefit a man’s overall health as well as decrease his chances of impaired urinary and sexual functioning by maintaining the health of the prostate. Three positive lifestyle choices include exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a low-fat diet. Simple lifestyle changes can decrease a man’s risk of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men, after lung cancer.
Diet
Although no definite guidelines exist for preventing prostate cancer with dietary choices, MayoClinic.com offers dietary suggestions that may help reduce the incidence of prostate cancer:
1. Eat moderately in order to maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity may affect the levels of hormones that affect prostate cancer incidence.
2. Eat a low-fat diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish, especially those rich in omega 3 fatty acids like salmon, herring and mackerel. Decrease the amount of saturated fat from meat and dairy foods.
3. Drink alcohol in moderation. Men will want to aim for two or fewer drinks per day. According to the MayoClinic.com, heavy drinking increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
4. Limit intake of sweets and salt.
Exercise
Exercising every day for 30 minutes helps men to maintain a healthy weight or to lose weight if the amount of calories ingested is less than the calories burned. According to MedicalNewsToday.com, regular exercise may reduce the risk of moderate and severe symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
Medical Tests
The annual physical exam for a man over age 40 includes a comprehensive prostate exam. The prostate exam includes a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check for enlargement of the prostate, and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to determine if the levels of the antigen indicate possible prostate cancer.
About this Author
Based in northern Florida, Gail Morales has been writing and editing since 1997. Her articles have appeared in “UpDate,” “The Messenger,” “Dialog,” “well-informed,” “The Review,” and on various websites. Morales received a B.S. degree in nursing, a B.A. degree in English/journalism, and a master’s degree in education.
