The treatment of almost all diseases is accompanied by certain food restrictions. This is necessary to relieve the diseased organ or simply to relieve the condition and free up resources for healing. The diet for different diseases is different, as it is related to the characteristics of the disease. Prostatitis is no exception and 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, into which the excretory channels of the organ open. The prostate produces a secretion that is released during ejaculation. The latter contains enzymes, vitamins, and immunoglobulins. Its task is to liquefy the ejaculate and create a suitable environment to preserve the vital activity of the sperm.
Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate leads to many problems:
- the size of the inflamed organ increases and puts pressure on the urethra, which leads to difficulty urinating;
- for the same reason, bowel function becomes difficult, which leads to constipation;
- in case of acute inflammation, the prostate is extremely painful and causes severe discomfort;
- in an infectious form, the organ becomes the focus of the spread of the disease and leads to general poisoning of the body;
- the increase in the size of the organ puts pressure on the blood vessels and obstructs the lymphatic drainage, which contributes to blood stagnation. This not only significantly aggravates the problem, but also causes other disturbances in the functioning of the pelvic organs;
- the prostate stops producing secretions of the required quantity and quality. Accordingly, spermatozoa in an inappropriate environment quickly die and the man loses his ability to fertilize;
- the inflammation makes it difficult to remove the secretions, so the process of ejaculation itself becomes almost impossible and leads to impotence.
There are several forms of prostatitis: acute, chronic, infectious, congestive, and their symptoms are quite different. However, the disease must be treated with modern drugs in any case and should not be ignored in any case. The doctor will determine which diet will be most effective in one form or another.
Also, following a diet is proven to be beneficial, and here's why. All inflamed tissue is sensitive to factors affecting it.
So food has a direct effect on the stomach, as some of its ingredients strongly irritate the mucous membrane, while others do not. And urine has a huge impact on the state of the bladder: its functionality depends on its composition.
The prostate is affected by the composition of the blood, which is ultimately determined by the food consumed and the way the food is digested. This refers to the proximity of the intestines: if the latter is working with extra load, the food you eat causes constipation, then the already irritated organ has an additional effect. And this worsens the condition of the organ and contributes to the development of pain.
A properly selected diet can minimize the effect 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 so many restrictions, but they must be observed with all possible care.
- The main goal 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 in close proximity to 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 membranes of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which accordingly has a negative effect on the prostate. Smoked, salty and spicy foods also strongly irritate the intestines. In addition, smoked and salted meat makes work difficult, which in itself leads to constipation.
- Blood composition - the digested food ultimately 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 compression of blood vessels, the process of blood supply to the organ has already been interrupted. Blood stagnation significantly worsens the patient's condition. A diet containing easily digestible foods helps to normalize blood circulation.
- The composition of urine either improves or worsens the state of the prostate. 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. Accordingly, urine does not irritate the urinary organs.
This advice is negatively evaluated by patients with increased nocturnal diuresis. In such cases, it is recommended to drink more liquid in the morning and limit it in the evening.
It is impossible to reduce the total amount of fluid: concentrated urine greatly irritates the prostate, which leads to pain.
- Ensuring adequate nutrition - a sufficient amount of protein and vitamins is necessary to restore the functioning of the body and the immune system. The diet should be designed to meet this need.
In general, for prostatitis, the doctor prescribes diet table number 5. It is designed to protect the liver, but it is suitable for almost all gastrointestinal or urinary diseases, for which the normal functioning of the body's bile system is important.
Basic principles
The difference between the diet of chronic and acute prostatitis depends on the condition of the organ itself.
In case of chronic prostatitis and exacerbation of acute inflammation, the diet must be followed very strictly. Products that are not recommended - alcohol, smoked meats, coffee, beans - must 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 plenty of broth, drink coffee - no more than 1 cup per day, eat baked goods and spicy meat, but in small quantities. However, all these assumptions are only possible 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 strictly adhere to them until the inflammation is cured.
The basic principles of the diet in the treatment of prostatitis are as follows:
- sufficient protein and carbohydrate content. The norm for the former is 1. 5 g / 1 kg of body or at least 1 g / 1 kg of body. The amount of carbohydrates is calculated based on 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 if the prostate is inflamed;
- The cooking methods used are steaming, poaching in water and steaming. In this way, the maximum nutritional value of the product is preserved and the amount of fat must not be exceeded. Baking flour and vegetables is strictly prohibited - this combination greatly irritates the intestines;
- Foods rich in purine or oxalic acid are not allowed. The same restrictions apply to spicy foods and spices - garlic, onions;
- exclude products that can cause fermentation and gas formation in the intestines - 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 salt concentration in the urine, and this is a strong irritant;
- No stimulants - coffee, strong tea, cocoa and chocolate. During the period of remission, stimulants can be used in limited quantities;
- Make sure you have plenty of fluids - water, rosehip and chamomile decoction, fruit juices diluted with water, very weak lemon tea.
The body sometimes has great difficulties in transitioning to a new nutritional method. The trial period is 5 days. If no adverse effects occur during this time - indigestion, fermentation in the intestines, then the diet should be followed until complete recovery or remission.
If negative effects occur, the menu should be reviewed: the diet probably contains a product to which an allergic reaction occurs.
Menu in case of illness
The menu is as varied as possible, it should not be forgotten that the diet should include proteins - no more than 80 g, fats - 80-90 g, carbohydrates - no more than 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, total caloric intake is reduced due to less fat and carbohydrates. Here is a sample menu.
One day:
- Breakfast: steamed meatballs, buckwheat or semolina porridge, weak tea. A cup of coffee is allowed during remission of chronic prostatitis.
- Second breakfast: dried fruits, apples or sweet berries. Both fruits and berries are recommended only in a very ripe state, preferably fried, or in the form of purees and jellies. You can supplement your diet with bananas.
In case of chronic prostatitis, watermelon is allowed - up to 2 pieces per day, melon and pineapple, but only as part of salads. - Lunch: vegetable soup, lean meat roll, dried fruit compote. During remission, you can eat weak broths and soups based on them.
- Afternoon snack: rosehip decoction, biscuits. Turkish delight and even marshmallows are allowed, but only in chronic form and in small quantities.
- Dinner - vegetable slices, tea, biscuits.
2 days:
- Breakfast: cottage cheese with a small amount of honey, oatmeal or buckwheat, cooked in a mixture of 50% water and 50% milk. Milk porridge is allowed during remission.
- Second breakfast: baked apple with optional 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 fruit or berries. You can also drink freshly squeezed juice. In case of aggravation, 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.
Authorized and prohibited products
Allowed and prohibited in all categories of products for patients with prostatitis:
| 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 |
|
|
| Bread |
|
|
| Fruits and berries |
|
|
| Egg | In the form of boiled eggs or omelettes, no more than 2 pcs. Sun | Mirrored egg dishes |
| Oil |
|
|
| Sauces and spices |
|
|
| Sweet |
|
|
| Dairy product |
|
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| Vegetables |
|
|
The inclusion of prohibited products in the menu during remission or after recovery is based on the individual sensitivity of the product and the intensity of its effect. So, meat and fish soup, tomatoes and eggplant should be introduced first. And it's better to give up carbonated drinks and smoked foods, especially sausage, 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 remission, does not mean that you can immediately return to your usual diet, especially if it is a return to the consumption of harmful foods.
The diet changes gradually:
- Broths are introduced first, as they are easy to digest.
- We add lean pork and beef, as well as fattier fish, especially salmon.
- The range of permitted vegetables is expanding - eggplant, spinach, tomatoes. They also add fresh fruits and berries, but only sweet ones.
- Among the bakery products, the most acceptable are biscuits with various additives.
- Legumes are also added - beans, peas, but very gradually. The same goes for mushrooms.
- We introduce the sauces one by one. However, you will have to give up mayonnaise forever.
- Alcohol is allowed in moderation - 2 glasses of wine, one glass of vodka per day.
- You can add a variety of cheeses, including spicy ones.
- People start drinking coffee when it is really hard to bear its absence. A maximum of 1 cup of espresso per day is allowed.
- The situation is difficult with chocolate and cocoa. If it is difficult to give it up forever, then we add such products 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 will remain in force 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 prostate pain, this product should be abandoned forever.
The diet is an excellent aid in the treatment of almost all diseases of non-infectious origin. The food you eat determines the composition of your blood and urine and supplies you with the vitamins and proteins you need. So a properly prepared diet can significantly speed up recovery.