By Dean L. Jones

There is a large amount of proof surrounding how what we eat manipulates the outcome of our health.  In particular, men can help reduce the risk of developing an enlarged prostate gland, as well as lessen the severity of unhealthy symptoms by sustaining suitable eating habits.

For clarity, the prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut, and is part of the reproductive system in the male body.  Sadly, an enlarged prostate (also known as BPH – Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) will cause serious problems such as excessive urinating, traces of blood in the urine and/or changes in the color of urine.

Although such problems are a lot more common in middle-aged and older men, all the same due in part from what we choose to eat, prostate problems can affect men of any age.  For example, men who routinely consume extra calories over recommended daily dietary guidelines are way more likely to develop prostate problems, as compared to those who stay within good quality eating principles.

That is because there is a direct link between obesity, high blood sugar and BPH.  Whenever a man has an elevated glucose level they are three times more likely to have an enlarged prostate.  Consequently, even though eating processed sugar does not necessarily lead to high blood sugar, diet is critical toward eating less processed sugar as part of helping to prevent prostate cancer.

Processed sugar will inflame the prostate and thereby create problems, particularly when it is included in processed foods that are very high in trans-fats.  Basically, anything made using partially or whole hydrogenated vegetable oil, margarine or shortening are all unhealthy for the prostate gland.  For example, processed food items, such as pastries, canned soups, and frozen entrées commonly use hydrogenated oil.

Highly processed foodstuff typically adds sugar and whenever we eat it rarely do we think just how much sugar causes inflammation in our body.  Opportunely, by knowing this information can make it easier to value the importance of cutting down or completely eliminating added sugar in order to decrease the pressure on the prostate gland.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends per day that men consume no more than 9-teaspoons of added sugar (150 calories), and women consume no more than 6-teaspoons of added sugar (100 calories).  The AHA developed these recommendations to help reduce heart disease, in addition to helping prevent problems with many other parts of the mind and body that can be injured from eating too much processed sugar.

For over fifty years, considerable world medical research focuses on preventing cancer, and during this same time span American eating patterns have to a large extent become quite unruly.  So, be mindful that cancer cells fuel their growth on processed sugar in the body, thereby giving good reason to live SugarAlert!

www.SugarAlert.com
Mr. Jones is a marketing strategist with the Southland Partnership Corporation (a public benefit organization), sharing his view on mismanagement practices of packaged foods & beverages