The treatment of almost all diseases is accompanied by some food restrictions. This is necessary to relieve the diseased organ or simply to alleviate the condition and free up resources for healing. The diet for different ailments is different, as it is associated with the characteristics of the disease. Prostatitis is no exception and also requires some dietary restrictions.
Is a diet for prostatitis necessary?
The prostate is an endocrine gland located under the bladder. A fragment of the urethra passes through it, into which the excretory ducts 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 to preserve the vital activity of the spermatozoa.
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 intestinal 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 focal point for the spread of the disease and leads to general intoxication of the body;
- the organ that increases in size puts pressure on the blood vessels and prevents lymphatic drainage, contributing to blood stagnation. And this not only significantly aggravates the problem, but also causes other disorders in the functioning of the pelvic organs;
- the prostate stops producing secretions in the required volume and quality. As a result, sperm in an unsuitable environment quickly dies and the man loses the ability to fertilize;
- inflammation makes it difficult to remove secretions, so much so that the ejaculation process itself becomes almost impossible and leads to impotence.
There are different forms of prostatitis: acute, chronic, infectious, congestive, their symptoms are very different. However, in any case, the disease should be treated with the help of modern drugs and in no case should it be ignored. Your doctor will determine which diet will be most effective for one form or the other.
Furthermore, following a diet turns out to be useful and here's why. Any inflamed tissue is sensitive to factors acting on it.
So, food has a direct effect on the stomach, since some of its components strongly irritate the mucosa, while others do not. And urine has a huge influence on the state of the bladder: its functionality depends on its composition.
The prostate is influenced by the composition of the blood, which, ultimately, is also determined by the food consumed and how the food is digested. This refers to the proximity of the intestine: if the latter works with an additional load, the food eaten causes 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 selected diet can minimize the impact on the prostate, significantly speeding up and facilitating the treatment process.
Dietary goals
The goal of the diet is to eliminate all possible factors that lead to irritation of the organ in men. In reality there are not many restrictions, but they must be followed with all possible attention.
- The main goal of the diet is to reduce irritation. The latter is ensured by the consumption of foods that affect the gastrointestinal tract, from the stomach to the intestine. The fact is that the organ is located near the intestine 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 membranes of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a negative effect on the prostate. Smoked, salty and spicy foods also significantly irritate the intestines. In addition, smoked and salted meat makes it difficult to process, which in itself leads to constipation.
- Blood composition: Digested food eventually leads to a change in composition. And if irritating components are present in the blood, this has the most negative effect on the prostate. Example: The degradation of aldehydes after drinking alcohol significantly worsens inflammation.
Normalization of blood flow: due to compression 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 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. This reduces the concentration of salts in the urine. As a result, urine stops irritating the genitourinary organs.
This advice is perceived negatively by patients who suffer from increased nocturnal diuresis. In this case it is recommended to drink more liquids in the morning and limit them in the evening.
It is impossible to reduce the total volume of liquid: concentrated urine significantly irritates the prostate, causing pain.
- Provide adequate nutrition: To restore the functioning of the organ and immune system, a sufficient amount of proteins and vitamins is needed. The diet must be designed to meet this need.
As a rule, for prostatitis, the doctor prescribes dietary table No. 5. It is designed to spare the liver, but is suitable for almost all gastrointestinal or genitourinary disorders, in which the normal functioning of the body's biliary system is important.
Basic 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. Non-recommended foods - 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 broth, drink coffee - no more than 1 cup per day, eat baked goods and spicy meat, but in small quantities. However, all these hypotheses are possible only in the remission phase. In case of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to return to the nutritional principles of table no. 5 and follow them strictly until the inflammation is cured.
The principles of diet in the treatment of prostatitis are as follows:
- sufficient protein and carbohydrate content. The norm for the former 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 based on physical activity. It is important not to exceed this value, since 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 stewing, boiling in water and steaming. In this way the maximum nutritional value of the product is maintained and the volume of fat is not allowed to be exceeded. It is strictly forbidden to fry flour and vegetables: this combination greatly irritates the intestines;
- Foods rich in purines or oxalic acid are not allowed. The same restrictions apply to spicy foods and seasonings: garlic, onions;
- products that can cause fermentation and gas formation 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 the 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;
- Be sure to have a large amount of liquid: water, rosehip and chamomile decoction, juices diluted with water, very weak tea with lemon.
The body sometimes has great difficulty switching to a new method of nutrition. The trial period is considered to be 5 days. If during this period no adverse effects occur - indigestion, fermentation in the intestines, the diet is followed until complete recovery or until remission.
If negative effects appear, it is necessary to review the menu: most likely the diet contains some product to which there is an allergic reaction.
Sick menu
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, the total calorie intake is reduced due to the lower amount of fats and carbohydrates. Here is a sample menu.
1 day:
- Breakfast: steamed meatballs, buckwheat or semolina porridge, light tea. During remission of chronic prostatitis, a 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 baked or in the form of puree and jelly. You can supplement your diet with banana.
With chronic prostatitis, watermelon is allowed - no more than 2 pieces per day, melon and pineapple, but only as part of salads. - Lunch: vegetable puree, lean meat roll, dried fruit compote. During remission, you can consume weak meat broths and soups based on them.
- Afternoon snack: rosehip decoction, crackers. Turkish delight and even marshmallows are allowed, but only in chronic form and in small quantities.
- Dinner – vegetable cutlets, tea, biscuits.
Day 2:
- Breakfast: cottage cheese with a small amount of honey, oatmeal or buckwheat, cooked in a mixture of 50% water and 50% milk. During remission, porridge with milk is allowed.
- Second breakfast: baked apples, optional with honey.
- Lunch: vegetable soup with vegetable oil, boiled chicken, rice. Dried fruit compote.
- Afternoon snack: rosehip and chamomile decoction. If your condition is stable, you can eat fresh fruits or berries. You can also drink freshly squeezed juice. In case of exacerbation, the juice 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 patients suffering from prostatitis the following are allowed and prohibited:
| First name | Authorized products | Prohibited products |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks |
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| Soups |
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| Porridge |
|
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| Pasta |
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| Fish meat |
|
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| Bread |
|
|
| Fruits and berries |
|
|
| Egg | Hard-boiled eggs or in the form of omelets, no more than 2 pieces. day | Fried egg dishes |
| Oil |
|
|
| Sauces and condiments |
|
|
| Sweet |
|
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| Dairy products |
|
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| Vegetables |
|
|
The inclusion of prohibited products in the menu during remission or after recovery is carried out based on individual sensitivity and the intensity of the effect of this product. So, first you should introduce meat and fish broth, tomatoes and eggplant. And it is better to give up carbonated drinks and smoked foods, especially sausages, forever.
Nutrition after recovery
Recovery means no pain, normal prostate function, normal ejaculation, no difficulty urinating and no secondary symptoms.
However, recovery, and especially the transition to a period of remission, does not mean that you can immediately return to your usual diet, especially if it involves a return to the consumption of harmful foods.
The diet is changed gradually:
- Broths are introduced first, as they are easily digestible.
- Lean pork and beef are added, as well as fattier fish, especially salmon.
- The range of permitted vegetables is expanding: eggplants, spinach, tomatoes. Fresh fruits and berries are also added, but only sweets.
- Among baked goods, the most acceptable are biscuits with various additives.
- Legumes are also added: beans, peas, but very gradually. The same goes for mushrooms.
- The sauces are introduced one by one. However, you should give up mayonnaise forever.
- Alcohol is allowed in moderation: 2 glasses of wine, a glass of vodka per day.
- Different types of cheeses can be added, including spicy ones.
- People start drinking coffee if they 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 them up forever, such products are added last and start with simple 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, prohibited foods can be consumed, but in very limited quantities. If the product causes intestinal irritation and causes prostate pain, this product should be abandoned forever.
Diet is an excellent aid in the treatment of almost all ailments of non-infectious origin. The food you eat determines the composition of your blood and urine and provides you with necessary vitamins and proteins. So a properly formulated diet can significantly speed up recovery.