- With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
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Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Katherine Zeratsky and Jennifer Nelson
Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.N.S.D.
Jennifer Nelson is your link to a better diet. As specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, she plays a vital role in bringing you healthy recipes and meal planning."Nutrition is one way people have direct control over the quality of their lives," she says. "I hope to translate the science of nutrition into ways that people can select and prepare great-tasting foods that help maintain health and treat disease."
A St. Paul, Minn., native, she has been with Mayo Clinic since 1978, and is director of clinical dietetics and an associate professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
She leads clinical nutrition efforts for a staff of more than 60 clinical dietitians and nine dietetic technicians and oversees nutrition services, staffing, strategic and financial planning, and quality improvement. Nelson was co-editor of the "Mayo Clinic Diet" and the James Beard Foundation Award-winning "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook." She has been a contributing author to and reviewer of many other Mayo Clinic books, including "Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for EveryBody," "The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and "The Mayo Clinic/Williams Sonoma Cookbook." She contributes to the strategic direction of the Food & Nutrition Center, which includes creating recipes and menus, reviewing nutrition content of various articles, and providing expert answers to nutrition questions.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She's active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in wellness nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and nutrition related to weight management and practical applications of nutrition-related lifestyle changes.
Other areas of interest include food and nutrition for all life stages, active lifestyles and the culinary arts.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Nutrition-wise blog
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Jan. 15, 2010
Enlarged prostate — Does diet play a role?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
After watching one of those commercials about guys having the frequent need to urinate, my husband asked me if the problem was related to diet. Shortly after that, Chris posted a similar question to this blog: "Does anyone know if there are certain foods I can eat that have been proven helpful in men's prostate health?"
The risk of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, increases about 4 percent a year after age 55. By age 60, half of men will have BPH. That number jumps to 95 percent by age 85. And, yes, diet does seem to be related.
A recent article in a medical journal looked at the effects of diet and supplements on prostate health. The article found that the following lifestyle factors were associated with a lower risk of BPH:
- High level of physical activity and no "belly fat"
- A low-fat diet
- Five or more servings of vegetables a day
- Two glasses of alcohol a day
In addition, the article mentioned some specific nutrients:
- Vitamin C from vegetables was associated with lower risk. Vegetables highest in vitamin C include bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, snow or snap peas, cauliflower, kale and tomato or vegetable juices.
- Foods higher in zinc also seemed to be beneficial. These include oysters, crab, baked beans, duck, lamb and beef (lean).
Interestingly, a high fruit intake didn't affect the risk of BPH. And the role of total protein was unclear. Some studies demonstrated an increased risk in men who ate red meat every day compared with men who only ate it once a week, but other studies found a decreased risk in men with a high total protein intake. Finally, the article found no evidence that dietary or herbal supplements were useful in preventing or treating BPH.
Take note, gentlemen: A healthy prostate is yet another reason to exercise, avoid obesity, eat your vegetables, keep fat intake low and enjoy an occasional drink.
- Jennifer
24 comments posted
December 17, 2012 7:30 p.m.
Caffine in my case slows flow and increases frequency. Oddly some of the foods claimed good for the prostate have a negative effect on me. Orange juice is a good example. Other foods increase frequence like melons, carrots and bananas. Greens help. Lettus, spinich, brocolli, celery help. Pumpkin seed help me. Keep a food diary. Take care of your bod. It has to last the rest of your life.
- Davlee
March 21, 2012 12:17 a.m.
I eat a well balanced diet, exercise 4 -5 times a week, at my target weight, eat plenty of vegtables and have BPH for that matter I have essential hypertension. It is not just diet.
- Roger
February 27, 2012 11:59 p.m.
Great tips in this article! I've suffered way too long with an unhealthy prostate and all the supplements I've tried haven't worked. However, I recently tried a tasty prostate nutrition bar from a company called ProstaFoods that promotes a healthy diet (low-glycemic or zone diet). I've been eating their products now for about two months combined with my strict diet and I can honestly say that I'm finally sleeping through night...:)
- David
December 19, 2011 10:53 a.m.
I am a vegetarian and diagnosed with BPH Grade III. Could you please suggest the foods I should take to reduce the enlarged prostate? Is surgery essential? Thanks and regards.
- KRISHNA
October 17, 2011 5:59 p.m.
There are new studys out that Vitamin E and selenium could in crease your chances of geting cancer mostly E seen this on the news some time this month being 10/14/2011 400IU
- DOC
August 11, 2011 5:04 p.m.
I take Prostavar as a supplement. Am I wasting my money?
- gene toombs
July 26, 2011 11:54 a.m.
Diet can definitely play a roll in prostate health. Foods high in anti-oxidants and zinc are essential for prostate health, since the prostate gland contains more zinc than any other organ in the human body.
- Ken
April 28, 2011 12:44 a.m.
As we all know, the body needs vitamins and minerals to keep itself well maintained - so where do we get these vitamins and minerals from? The foods we consume of course! It would be silly to argue that diet does not play a role in an enlarged prostate. Just like any part of the body - poor nutrition will lead to organs not functioning properly and that's when you start to notice all these health problems occurring... but that's a little bit off topic for here. Take Care Best Weight Loss Program
- Matt
April 9, 2011 8:17 p.m.
Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that eliminate free radicals that contribute to prostate problems, also the prostate contains more zinc than any other organ in the body, so make sure to eat foods naturally high in zinc.
- Ken
February 2, 2011 3:49 p.m.
i have been using herbal supplements and flomax for over two years and when i stop the herbal supplement i have more difficulty with urination. this is important to me because i have diabetes insipidis that requires me to drink alot and pee alot.
- fred
September 9, 2010 7:51 p.m.
does the any sxual activity or intesity of it, also affect the health of prostate, or occurance of bph
- purushottam Das
September 2, 2010 6:25 p.m.
The backwardness of the medical profession never ceases to amaze me. Don't these doctors & nutritionists read books? The standard advice about low fat & vegetables has been challenged repeatedly over the past ten years, with no sign from the medical establishment that reconsideration is ongoing. Eat bread, pasta, rice, beans, lentils & sugar & you will certainly look like the people who eat these things: FAT!
- Joe
May 11, 2010 4:20 p.m.
It's not so much what you eat but what you don't eat! See www.prostatehelper.com
- Bob
April 20, 2010 1:31 p.m.
The regular sex is mandatory, the more the better. Cranberry will help too
- Jack
March 18, 2010 5:59 a.m.
I’am happy to share my comment on this subject matter in memory it is reported that a small amount of prostate enlargement is present in many men over age 40 (60 percent of men) and more than 90% of men over age 80. Normally the prostate keeps on to develop during a man's lifetime, resulting in prostate problems typically only forming later in life. Thus, men in their older age are the most common to report enlarged prostate symptoms. Still there is a lot to learn about the causes of swollen and enlarged prostate; however some factors are clear contributors. Hormonal imbalances and an unhealthy lifestyle are two of the most common factors to contribute to an enlarged prostate.
- enlarged prostate
February 18, 2010 7:10 a.m.
David - The reference is: Poon KS, McVary KT. Dietary patterns, supplement use, and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Current Urology Reports. 2009;10:279. (References are listed at the bottom of the page, after the "See Also" links.)
- MayoClinic.com Staff
February 17, 2010 5:18 p.m.
Hi.could someone please tell me where they found this information from. A pointer to where the atricel mentioned in the above text could be found or a direct link to this tudy would be helpful, PLEASE!
- david johnson
January 22, 2010 10:52 p.m.
These are great for prostate health. All kinds :- brazil nuts, almonds, coconut, and hazelnuts. They are full of Vitamin E and selenium which builds up your immune system. They also contain Vitamin E which is a fat soluble antioxidant.
- niciaclauran
January 21, 2010 9:31 a.m.
yes diet is playing a big role of reducing or increasing symptoms of BPH,but not main cause of BPH, major cause is the man's lifestyle sex, such as repeating of incomplete or elongation of intercourse, and any start feeling effect due to diet such as urge, frequent of urination, means beginning signal of BPH, and no effect of diet on normal prostate.
- mohamed
January 20, 2010 2:54 p.m.
I Note that following regular intercourse the need to urinate more often decreases. What if any medical issues may be substantiated?
- harbo
January 20, 2010 7:54 a.m.
I noticed my urge to urinate increases after caffeinated drinks. Many of my friends have the same symptom. I believe the effect is more than just the diuretic effect of caffeine. It seems to enlarge my prostate. Is caffeine’s effect only temporary? Can it lead to BPH after a long term use?
- John
January 20, 2010 12:30 a.m.
Another unsubstantiated clain asserted on the grounds of another of many unsubstantiated study.
- woodley
January 19, 2010 3:50 p.m.
I learned about dietary influence in BP growt, many of my patients unknowed it., and by this way i´m oriented they.
- Enrique
January 19, 2010 11:44 a.m.
Let's make a distinction about 'fat' though. I am sure a diet low in trans fats benefits ANYONE'S health. But both the saturated and unsaturated fats are crucial for cell development and therefore many other bodily functions. weight loss
- Stephanie
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