The treatment of almost all diseases is accompanied by certain food restrictions. This is necessary in order to relieve the diseased organ or simply ease the condition and free up resources for healing. The diet for different diseases is different, because it is related to the characteristics of the disease. Prostatitis is no exception and also requires certain dietary restrictions.
Is 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 outlet channels of the organs open. The prostate produces a secretion that is released during ejaculation. The latter contains enzymes, vitamins, immunoglobulins. Its task is to dilute the ejaculate and create a suitable environment for preserving the vital activity of the sperm.
Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland leads to numerous 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;
- in the infectious form, the organ turns into a focal point for the spread of the disease and leads to general intoxication of the body;
- an organ that increases 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 disorders in the work of the pelvic organs;
- the prostate stops producing secretions in the required volume and quality. Consequently, spermatozoa in an unsuitable environment quickly die, and the man loses the ability to fertilize;
- inflammation makes it difficult to remove secretions, so that 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 should be treated with modern drugs and in no case should you ignore it. The doctor will determine which diet will be most effective for this or that form.
Additionally, following a diet is proven to be beneficial and here's why. Any inflamed tissue is sensitive to factors that act on it.
Therefore, food has a direct effect on the stomach, because some of its components strongly irritate the mucous membrane, while others do not. And urine has a huge impact on the condition of the bladder: its functionality depends on its composition.
The prostate is affected by the composition of the blood, which ultimately depends on the food consumed, as well as on the way the food is digested. This refers to the proximity of the intestine: if the latter works with an additional load, the eaten food causes constipation, then the already irritated organ will have an additional impact. And this worsens the condition of the organs and contributes to the development of pain.
A properly selected diet can minimize the impact on the prostate, which significantly speeds up and facilitates the treatment process.
Dietary goals
The goal of the diet is to eliminate all possible factors that lead to organ irritation in men. In fact, there are not so many restrictions, but they should be followed with all possible care.
- The main goal of the diet is to reduce irritation. The latter is ensured by consuming food that affects the gastrointestinal tract - from the stomach to the intestines. The fact is that the organ is located in close proximity to the intestine and when the intestine 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 consequently leads to a negative effect on the prostate. Smoked, salty, spicy food also irritates the intestines a lot. In addition, smoked and salted meat makes it difficult to work, which in itself leads to constipation.
- Blood composition - digested food ultimately leads to a change in composition. And if there are irritating components in the blood, it has the most negative effect on the prostate. Example: the breakdown of aldehydes after alcohol consumption significantly worsens inflammation.
Normalization of blood flow - due to compression of blood vessels, the process of blood supply to organs is already disturbed. Blood stagnation significantly worsens the patient's condition. A diet that includes 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 salt in the urine is reduced. Consequently, urine stops irritating the genitourinary organs.
This advice is negatively perceived by patients who suffer 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 liquid: concentrated urine strongly irritates the prostate, which will lead to pain.
- Ensuring adequate nutrition - to restore the functioning of the organs, as well as the immune system, a sufficient amount of protein 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 diseases, in which the normal functioning of the biliary system of the body is important.
Basic principles
The difference between nutrition for chronic and acute prostatitis is due to the state of the organ itself.
In case of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis and acute inflammation, the diet should 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 broth, drink coffee - no more than 1 cup a day, eat baked goods and spicy meat, but in small quantities. However, all these assumptions are possible only in the phase of remission. In case of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to return to the principles of nutrition from table no. 5 and strictly adhere to them until the inflammation is cured.
The principles of nutrition in the treatment of prostatitis are as follows:
- sufficient protein and carbohydrate content. The norm 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, because 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, poaching in water and steaming. In this way, the maximum nutritional value of the product is maintained and the amount of fat is not allowed to exceed. It is strictly forbidden to fry flour and vegetables - this combination strongly irritates the intestines;
- Any food rich in purine or oxalic acid is not allowed. The same restrictions apply to spicy food and spices - garlic, onion;
- products that can cause fermentation and gas formation in the intestines 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. This leads to fluid retention in the body, which in turn leads to a high concentration of salt in the urine, which is a strong irritant;
- Stimulants are prohibited - coffee, strong tea, cocoa and chocolate. During periods of remission, stimulants may be used in limited amounts;
- It is mandatory to eat a large amount of liquid - water, decoction of rose hips and chamomile, juices diluted with water, very weak tea with lemon.
The body sometimes has great difficulties when switching to a new way of eating. The trial period is considered 5 days. If during this time no harmful effects appear - indigestion, fermentation in the intestines, then the diet is followed until complete recovery or until remission.
If negative effects appear, then it is necessary to review the menu: most likely, the diet contains some product to which there is an allergic reaction.
Menu for illness
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 an example menu.
1 day:
- Breakfast: steamed meatballs, buckwheat or semolina porridge, weak tea. A cup of coffee is allowed during remission of chronic prostatitis.
- 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 purees and jellies. You can supplement your diet with a 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 soup, low-fat roll, dried fruit compote. During remission, you can consume weak meat soups and soups based on them.
- Afternoon snack: rosehip broth, crackers. Locule and even mallow 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. Porridge with milk is allowed during remission.
- Second breakfast: baked apples, optionally with honey.
- Lunch: vegetable soup with vegetable oil, boiled chicken, rice. Dried fruit compote.
- Afternoon snack: decoction of rose hips and chamomile. If your condition is stable, you can eat fresh fruit or berries. You can also drink freshly squeezed juice. In case of deterioration, the juice must be diluted with water.
- Dinner: boiled fish, mashed potatoes, tea.
It is recommended to drink a glass of kefir or yogurt in the evening.
Allowed and prohibited products
In each category of products for patients with prostatitis, the following are allowed and prohibited:
| Name | Authorized products | Prohibited products |
|---|---|---|
| A drink |
|
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| Soups |
|
|
| Porridge |
|
|
| So what |
|
|
| Fish meat |
|
|
| Bread |
|
|
| Fruits and berries |
|
|
| Eggs | Boiled eggs or in the form of an omelette, no more than 2 pcs. day | Fried egg dishes |
| Oil |
|
|
| Sauces and spices |
|
|
| Sweet |
|
|
| Milk products |
|
|
| 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. Therefore, meat and fish broth, tomatoes and eggplant should be introduced first. And it's 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, healing, and especially the transition to a period of remission, does not mean that you can immediately return to your usual diet, especially if it is a question of returning to eating harmful foods.
The diet changes gradually:
- Broths are introduced first, because 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 fruit and berries are also added, but only sweet.
- Among bakery products, biscuits with various additives are the most acceptable.
- Legumes are also added - beans, peas, but very gradually. The same goes for mushrooms.
- The sauces are introduced one by one. However, mayonnaise should be given up forever.
- Alcohol is allowed in moderate amounts - 2 glasses of wine, a glass of vodka per day.
- You can add different types of cheeses, including spicy ones.
- People start drinking coffee if they really can't stand its absence. It is allowed to drink a maximum of 1 cup of espresso per day.
- The situation with chocolate and cocoa is difficult. If it is difficult to give it up forever, then such products are added last and start with simple cocoa with milk.
- Carbonated drinks are prohibited with rare exceptions.
- Fried food is introduced last and in limited quantities.
- The ban on smoked and salted fish and meat remains forever.
Depending on the patient's condition, consumption of prohibited foods is possible, but in very limited quantities. If the product causes intestinal irritation and pain in the prostate, 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 necessary vitamins and proteins. Therefore, a properly formulated diet can significantly speed up recovery.