The treatment of almost all diseases is accompanied by certain restrictions on food. This is required to relieve the diseased organ or simply to ease the condition and free up resources for healing. The diet for different diseases is different, as it is associated with the characteristics of the disease. Prostatitis is no exception and also requires certain dietary restrictions.
Is a diet necessary for prostatitis?
The prostate is an endocrine gland located below the bladder. A fragment of the urethra passes through it, in which the excretory channels of the organ open. The prostate produces a secretion that is released during ejaculation. The latter contains enzymes, vitamins, immunoglobulins. Its task is to liquefy the ejaculate and create a suitable environment for maintaining the vital activity of the sperm.
Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland leads to a number of problems:
- the inflamed organ increases in size and puts pressure on the urethra, which leads to difficulty urinating;
- for the same reason, bowel function becomes difficult, which leads to constipation;
- with acute inflammation, the prostate is extremely painful and causes severe discomfort;
- with an infectious form, the organ turns into a focus for the spread of the disease and leads to general intoxication of the body;
- the organ growing in size puts pressure on blood vessels and impedes lymphatic drainage, which contributes to blood stagnation. And this not only significantly worsens the problem, but also causes other disturbances in the functioning of the pelvic organs;
- the prostate stops producing secretions in the required volume and quality. Therefore, spermatozoa in an unsuitable environment die quickly and the man loses the ability to fertilize;
- inflammation makes it difficult to remove secretions, so the process of ejaculation itself becomes almost impossible and leads to impotence.
There are several different forms of prostatitis: acute, chronic, infectious, congestive, their symptoms are quite different. However, in any case, the disease must be treated using modern drugs and in no case should it be ignored. The doctor will determine which diet will be more effective for one form or another.
Besides, following a diet turns out to be beneficial and here's why. Any inflamed tissue is sensitive to factors acting on it.
So, food has a direct effect on the stomach, as some of its ingredients strongly irritate the mucosa, while others do not. And urine has a great influence on the state of the bladder: its functionality depends on its composition.
The prostate is affected by the composition of the blood, which, in the end, is also determined by the food consumed and the way the food is digested. This refers to the proximity of the intestines: if the latter works with additional load, the eaten food provokes constipation, then the already irritated organ will have an additional impact. And this worsens the condition of the organ and contributes to the development of pain.
A properly chosen diet can minimize the impact on the prostate, which significantly speeds up and facilitates the treatment process.
Dietary goals
The purpose of the diet is to eliminate all possible factors that lead to irritation of the organ in men. In fact, there are not many restrictions, but they should be followed with all possible care.
- The main purpose of the diet is to reduce irritation. The latter is provided by the consumption of foods that affect the gastrointestinal tract - from the stomach to the intestines. The fact is that the organ is located near the intestines and when the latter is irritated and inflamed, it also becomes inflamed.
There are many reasons for poor gut health. For example, carbonated water, which irritates the mucous membrane of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which accordingly leads to a negative effect on the prostate. Smoked, salty, spicy foods also irritate the intestines a lot. In addition, smoked and salty meat makes it difficult to work, which in itself leads to constipation.
- Blood composition - digested food eventually leads to a change in composition. And if there are irritating components in the blood, this has the most negative effect on the prostate. Example: the breakdown of aldehydes after drinking alcohol significantly worsens inflammation.
Normalization of blood flow - due to the squeezing of blood vessels, the process of blood supply to the organ is already interrupted. Blood stagnation significantly worsens the patient's condition. A diet that includes easily digestible foods helps normalize blood circulation.
- The composition of urine either improves or worsens the condition of the prostate gland. The patient's daily diet should include at least 2 liters of clean water or weak tea. In this way, the concentration of salts in the urine is reduced. Therefore, urine stops irritating the genitourinary organs.
This advice is perceived negatively by patients suffering from increased nocturnal diuresis. In this case, it is recommended to drink more liquid in the morning and limit it in the evening.
It is impossible to reduce the total volume of fluids: concentrated urine greatly irritates the prostate, which will lead to pain.
- Providing adequate nutrition - to restore the functioning of the organ, as well as the immune system, a sufficient amount of proteins and vitamins is required. The diet must be designed to meet this need.
As a rule, for prostatitis, the doctor prescribes dietary table no. 5. It was created to spare the liver, but it is suitable for almost all gastrointestinal or genitourinary diseases, in which the normal functioning of the body's biliary system is important.
Fundamental principles
The difference between the diet for chronic and acute prostatitis is due to the condition of the organ itself.
In case of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis and acute inflammation, the diet must be followed very strictly. Foods that are not recommended - alcohol, smoked meat, coffee, beans - should be completely excluded from the diet. Even a small part of them leads to a significant deterioration of the condition.
In chronic cases, the restrictions are not so strictly observed. For example, alcohol is allowed - 1-2 glasses of dry wine or 1 liter of beer, but no more. It is allowed to eat rich soup, drink coffee - no more than 1 cup a day, eat baked foods and spicy meat, but in small quantities. However, all these assumptions are possible only at the forgiveness stage. In case of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to return to the nutrition principles of table no. 5 and follow them strictly until the inflammation heals.
The principles of diet in the treatment of prostatitis are as follows:
- sufficient protein and carbohydrate content. The rate for the first is 1. 5 g per 1 kg of body or at least 1 g per 1 kg of body. The amount of carbohydrates is calculated according to physical activity. It is important not to exceed this value, as excess glucose in the blood is an irritating factor;
- limited fat content, especially of animal origin. They complicate and slow down digestion, which is unacceptable when the prostate is inflamed;
- The cooking method used is boiling, poaching and steaming. In this way, the maximum nutritional value of the product is preserved and the volume of fat is not allowed to exceed. Frying flour and vegetables is strictly prohibited - this combination irritates the intestines a lot;
- Any food rich in purines or oxalic acid is not allowed. The same restrictions apply to spicy foods and spices - garlic, onions;
- Products that can cause fermentation and the formation of gases in the intestine are excluded - from beans and beans to carbonated water;
- it is necessary to limit the amount of salt - no more than 10 g, which includes not only salt itself, but also its content in cooked products. It leads to fluid retention in the body, which, in turn, leads to a high concentration of salts in the urine, and this is a strong irritant;
- Stimulants are prohibited - coffee, strong tea, cocoa and chocolate. During the remission period, stimulants can be used in limited quantities;
- Make sure you have plenty of fluids - water, rose and chamomile decoctions, diluted juices, very weak tea with lemon.
The body sometimes has great difficulties to switch to a new method of nutrition. The trial period is considered to be 5 days. If during this time no negative effects occur - indigestion, fermentation in the intestines, then the diet is followed until complete recovery or until remission occurs.
If negative effects appear, then it is necessary to review the menu: most likely, the diet contains a product to which there is an allergic reaction.
Menu for diseases
The menu is as varied as possible, not forgetting that the diet should include proteins - up to 80 g, fats - 80-90 g, carbohydrates - up to 400 g, of which at least 40 g should be insoluble fiber.
The diet is designed for 2600-2800 kcal. If the patient is overweight, which aggravates prostatitis, then the total calorie intake is reduced due to less fat and carbohydrates. Here is a sample menu.
1 day:
- Breakfast: steamed meatballs, buckwheat or oatmeal porridge, weak tea. During remission of chronic prostatitis, one cup of coffee is allowed.
- Second breakfast: dried fruit, apple or sweet berries. Both fruits and berries are recommended only when they are very ripe and preferably ripe or in puree and jelly form. You can supplement your diet with bananas.
For chronic prostatitis, watermelon is allowed - no more than 2 pieces per day, melon and pineapple, but only as part of salads. - Lunch: vegetable soup, lean meat rolls, dried fruit compote. During remission, you can consume weak broths and soups based on them.
- Afternoon snack: rose stew, crackers. Light turkey and even marshmallows are allowed, but only in chronic form and in small quantities.
- Dinner - vegetable patties, tea, biscuits.
Day 2:
- Breakfast: cottage cheese with a small amount of honey, oats or buckwheat, cooked in a mixture of 50% water and 50% milk. During prayer, porridge with milk is allowed.
- Second breakfast: baked apples, optionally with honey.
- Lunch: vegetable soup with vegetable oil, boiled chicken, rice. Dried fruit compote.
- Afternoon snack: rose and chamomile decoction. If your condition is stable, you can eat fresh fruit or berries. You can also drink freshly squeezed juice. In case of deterioration, the liquid should be diluted with water.
- Dinner: boiled fish, mashed potatoes, tea.
It is highly recommended to drink a glass of kefir or yogurt at night.
Allowed and prohibited products
In each category of products for prostate patients are allowed and prohibited:
| Name | Authorized Products | Prohibited Products |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks |
|
|
| soups |
|
|
| porridge |
|
|
| pasta |
|
|
| Meat fish |
|
|
| Bread |
|
|
| Fruits and berries |
|
|
| egg | Boiled or omelette eggs, no more than 2 pieces. day | Dishes with fried eggs |
| Oil |
|
|
| Sauces and spices |
|
|
| Sweet |
|
|
| milkweed |
|
|
| Vegetables |
|
|
The inclusion of prohibited products in the menu during remission or after recovery is based on individual sensitivity and the intensity of the impact of this product. So, meat and fish broth, tomatoes and eggplant should be added first. And it is better to give up forever carbonated drinks and smoked foods, especially sausages.
Nutrition after recovery
Recovery means no pain, normal prostate function, normal ejaculation, no difficulty urinating and no secondary symptoms.
However, recovery, and especially going into a period of remission, does not mean that you can immediately return to your usual diet, especially if this is a return to eating harmful foods.
The diet is gradually changed:
- Liquids are introduced first, as they are easily digested.
- Lean pork and beef are added, as well as fattier fish, especially salmon.
- The range of allowed vegetables is expanding - eggplant, spinach, tomatoes. Fresh fruits and berries are also added, but only sweet.
- Among baked products, the most acceptable are cookies with various additives.
- Legumes are also added - beans, peas, but very gradually. The same goes for mushrooms.
- Add the sauces one at a time. However, you should give up mayonnaise forever.
- Alcohol is allowed in moderation - 2 glasses of wine, one glass of vodka per day.
- You can add different types of cheeses, including spicy ones.
- People start drinking coffee if they really find it very difficult to tolerate its absence. No more than 1 cup of espresso per day is allowed.
- The situation is difficult with chocolate and cocoa. If it is difficult to give up forever, then such products are added last and start with plain cocoa with milk.
- Carbonated drinks are prohibited with rare exceptions.
- Fried foods are introduced last and in limited quantities.
- The ban on smoked and salted fish and meat remains forever.
Depending on the patient's condition, it is possible to consume forbidden foods, but in very limited quantities. If the product causes intestinal irritation and provokes prostate pain, this product should be abandoned forever.
Diet is an excellent aid in the treatment of almost any disease of non-infectious origin. The food you eat determines the composition of your blood and urine and provides you with the vitamins and proteins you need. So, a properly formulated diet can significantly speed up recovery.