Eating To Prevent Prostate Cancer

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September 17-21 is Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. While medical professionals continue to add to the body of knowledge about what causes cancer, there are immediate steps men can take to protect themselves from possible cancer-causing agents.

One of the most basic ways to protect your immune system is to avoid foods sprayed with chemical pesticides. Choose organically grown fruits and vegetables instead. Certain pesticides have been shown to act as endocrine disruptors – chemical compounds that may affect the body’s hormone balance and therefore health. Natural pesticides such as pyrethrum, neem, rotenone and ryania have low toxicity. If you must buy produce sprayed with chemical pesticides, thoroughly wash and peel the skin whenever possible. A key way to optimize your produce from chemicals is to pay regular attention to the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list and prioritize purchasing those items in their organic forms.

Another way to protect yourself is to reduce your consumption of animal fats. Cut down on meat, poultry, whole milk and whole-milk products (including butter and cheese). Studies have shown that dioxins and other potential endocrine disruptors tend to accumulate in animal fat. Plus, cutting down on consumption will have the secondary benefit of reducing your intake of saturated fat.

The following may also help you limit your exposure:

• Drink only pure, filtered or distilled water.
• Eat a diet rich in organic produce and whole grains.
• Get regular aerobic exercise at least four days per week.

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