Take tomatoes, avoid cancer
TOMATOES are rich in lycopene which helps prevent prostate cancer, says Dr. Barnard Kiremire of the Makerere University Faculty of Science.
By Serunjogi Titus
TOMATOES are rich in lycopene which helps prevent prostate cancer, says Dr. Barnard Kiremire of the Makerere University Faculty of Science.
Prostate cancer affects at least one in every 1,000 Ugandan men, according to the National Cancer Registry.
Men who take tomato sauce twice a week are less likely to develop the disease. Their bodies easily get rid of free radicals, which would otherwise stimulate tumour growths. Lycopene, a substance present in tomatoes, also boosts the immune system. So their bodies can quickly detect cancer-causing agents and destroy them.
Evidence shows that industrial processing increases the levels of lycopene in vegetables. Therefore, for prostate cancer prevention, tomatoes are better taken as sauces, ketchup or soup. Our bodies digest lycopene quicker if the tomatoes are eaten after cooking.
The body converts all the lycopene we eat into Vitamin A. This “improves the activity of lymphocytes –– a variety of white blood cells that destroy tumour cells,†says Dr. Jackson Orem of the Uganda Cancer Institute.
Straw-berries, carrots, yams and orange or yellow sweet potatoes also contain considerable levels of the vitamin. They will reduce one’s risk of catching prostate cancer. However, some of the richest sources of Vitamin A like liver and whole eggs should be avoided.
In fact any man who wants to minimise the risk of acquiring prostate cancer must do away with animal-based foods.
According to a study by the Harvard School of Health Sciences; the more meat, cheese or eggs a young man eats, the higher his chances of catching prostate cancer after 45 years. Population studies also prove that cancer deaths increase with increased consumption of animal fats like butter, ghee and lard.
“But increased intake of vegetable fat will reduce the risks of prostate cancer,†says Dr. Orem. Oils contain Vitamin E, which clears free radicals and other cancer –– causing agents from the blood stream. Vegetable oils may be eaten with tomatoes, for better protection.
Coffee, chocolate and cigarettes can cause genetic damage to the cells of the prostate gland, thus setting off cancer.
Males whose fathers died of prostate cancer have higher chances of catching the disease. Early signs of the disease are a low sex drive and pain while urinating.
Better for young men to take lots of tomato ketchup, else they lose their sexual verve at 45 years.
Prostate cancer facts
Who is at risk?
Mostly elderly men
Those whose fathers have suffered from prostate cancer
How to reduce the risk
Reduce consumption of red meat, cheese, and other foods that have animal fat
Eat tomato-based foods like tomato sauce
Signs
Difficulty in urinating
Interrupted urination (stopping and starting)
A weak stream of urine
Urinating more often than usual
Blood in the urine
Pain and stiffness in the back and hips
Treatment
Surgery to remove prostate
Radiotherapy
TOMATOES are rich in lycopene which helps prevent prostate cancer, says Dr. Barnard Kiremire of the Makerere University Faculty of Science.
Prostate cancer affects at least one in every 1,000 Ugandan men, according to the National Cancer Registry.
Men who take tomato sauce twice a week are less likely to develop the disease. Their bodies easily get rid of free radicals, which would otherwise stimulate tumour growths. Lycopene, a substance present in tomatoes, also boosts the immune system. So their bodies can quickly detect cancer-causing agents and destroy them.
Evidence shows that industrial processing increases the levels of lycopene in vegetables. Therefore, for prostate cancer prevention, tomatoes are better taken as sauces, ketchup or soup. Our bodies digest lycopene quicker if the tomatoes are eaten after cooking.
The body converts all the lycopene we eat into Vitamin A. This “improves the activity of lymphocytes –– a variety of white blood cells that destroy tumour cells,†says Dr. Jackson Orem of the Uganda Cancer Institute.
Straw-berries, carrots, yams and orange or yellow sweet potatoes also contain considerable levels of the vitamin. They will reduce one’s risk of catching prostate cancer. However, some of the richest sources of Vitamin A like liver and whole eggs should be avoided.
In fact any man who wants to minimise the risk of acquiring prostate cancer must do away with animal-based foods.
According to a study by the Harvard School of Health Sciences; the more meat, cheese or eggs a young man eats, the higher his chances of catching prostate cancer after 45 years. Population studies also prove that cancer deaths increase with increased consumption of animal fats like butter, ghee and lard.
“But increased intake of vegetable fat will reduce the risks of prostate cancer,†says Dr. Orem. Oils contain Vitamin E, which clears free radicals and other cancer –– causing agents from the blood stream. Vegetable oils may be eaten with tomatoes, for better protection.
Coffee, chocolate and cigarettes can cause genetic damage to the cells of the prostate gland, thus setting off cancer.
Males whose fathers died of prostate cancer have higher chances of catching the disease. Early signs of the disease are a low sex drive and pain while urinating.
Better for young men to take lots of tomato ketchup, else they lose their sexual verve at 45 years.
Prostate cancer facts
Who is at risk?
How to reduce the risk
Signs
Treatment