The treatment of almost all diseases is accompanied by certain restrictions in food. This is needed to relieve the diseased organ or simply alleviate the condition and free up resources for healing. Nutrition for different diseases is different, because it is associated with 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, where the excretory duct of the organ opens. The prostate produces secretions that are released during ejaculation. The latter contains enzymes, vitamins, immunoglobulins. Its task is to dilute the ejaculate and create an environment suitable for preserving the vital activity of the sperm.
Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland leads to several 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 very painful and causes severe discomfort;
- with an infectious form, the organ becomes a focus for the spread of the disease and leads to a general intoxication of the body;
- the increasing size of the organ puts pressure on the blood vessels and prevents lymphatic drainage, which contributes to blood stagnation. And this not only worsens the problem significantly, but also causes other disorders in the functioning of the pelvic organs;
- the prostate stops producing secretions in the required amount and quality. Therefore, sperm in an unsuitable environment quickly die, and the man loses the ability to fertilize;
- inflammation makes it difficult to release 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 using modern medicine, and in any case it should not be ignored. The doctor will determine which diet is most effective for one form or another.
In addition, 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, because some of its components are very irritating to the mucous membrane, while others are not. And urine has a great influence on the condition of the bladder: its function 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 intestine: if the latter works with an additional load, the food eaten causes constipation, then the already irritated organ will have an additional effect. And this worsens the condition of the organ and contributes to the development of pain.
A properly chosen diet can minimize the effect on the prostate, which speeds up and facilitates the treatment process.
Nutritional goals
The goal of the diet is to eliminate all factors that may 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 irritability. The latter is ensured by the consumption of food that affects the gastrointestinal tract - from the stomach to the intestines. The fact is that the organ is located close to the intestine and when the organ 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 are also very irritating to the intestines. In addition, smoked and salty meat makes it difficult to work, which in itself leads to constipation.
- Composition of blood - digested food eventually leads to changes 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 worsens inflammation.
Normalization of blood flow - due to the squeezing of blood vessels, the process of blood supply to the organs is already disrupted. 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 salt in the urine is reduced. Therefore, urine stops irritating the genitourinary organs.
This advice is considered negative by patients who experience increased diuresis at night. 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 amount of fluid: concentrated urine is very irritating to the prostate, which will cause pain.
- Providing adequate nutrition - to restore organ function, as well as the immune system, sufficient amounts of protein and vitamins are needed. The diet must be designed to meet these needs.
As a rule, for prostatitis, the doctor prescribes nutrition table No. It is designed to save the liver, but is suitable for almost any gastrointestinal or genitourinary disease, where the normal functioning of the body's biliary system is important.
Basic principal
The difference between the diet for chronic and acute prostatitis is due to the condition of the organ itself.
In cases of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis and acute inflammation, the diet should be followed very strictly. Products that are not recommended - alcohol, smoked meat, coffee, nuts - should be completely excluded from the diet. Even a small part of them leads to a significant deterioration of the situation.
In chronic cases, 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 soups, drink coffee - no more than 1 cup a day, eat baked goods and spicy meat, but in small quantities. However, all these assumptions are only possible in the remission stage. In case of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to return to the dietary principles of table No. 5 and follow them strictly until the inflammation is cured.
The principle of diet in the treatment of prostatitis is 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 from animals. They complicate and delay digestion, which is unacceptable when the prostate is inflamed;
- The cooking methods used are boiling, 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. Frying flour and vegetables is strictly forbidden - this combination is very irritating to the intestines;
- Any food high in purines or oxalic acid is not allowed. The same restrictions apply to spicy foods and seasonings - garlic, onions;
- products that can cause fermentation and gas formation in the intestines are excluded - from beans and nuts 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 the cooked product. 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;
- Stimulants are prohibited - 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, decoction of rosehip and chamomile, juice diluted with water, very weak tea with lemon.
The body sometimes has great difficulty in switching to a new method of nutrition. The trial period is considered for 5 days. If at this time no adverse effects occur - indigestion, fermentation in the intestines, then the diet is followed until complete recovery or until remission occurs.
If a negative effect appears, then it is necessary to check the menu: most likely, the diet contains some products with which there is an allergic reaction.
Menu for illness
The menu is as diverse as possible, not forgetting that the diet should include protein - up to 80 g, fat - 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 amount of calorie intake is reduced due to less fat and carbohydrates. Here is a sample menu.
1 day:
- Breakfast: steamed meatballs, buckwheat or semolina porridge, weak tea. During remission of chronic prostatitis, a cup of coffee is allowed.
- Second breakfast: dried fruits, apples or sweet berries. Both fruits and berries are only recommended when they are very ripe and are best baked or in the form of purees and jellies. You can supplement your diet with bananas.
For chronic prostatitis, watermelon is allowed - no more than 2 pieces a day, watermelon and pineapple, but only as part of a salad. - Lunch: vegetable soup, lean meat rolls, dried fruit compote. During remission, you can take soups and weak meat broths based on it.
- Afternoon snack: rose hip stew, crackers. Turkish delight and even marshmallows are allowed, but only in chronic form and in small quantities.
- Dinner – cut vegetables, tea, biscuits.
Day 2:
- Breakfast: cottage cheese with a little honey, oatmeal or buckwheat, cooked in a mixture of 50% water and 50% milk. During remission, porridge with milk is allowed.
- Second breakfast: baked apple, optional with honey.
- Lunch: vegetable soup with vegetable oil, boiled chicken, rice. Dry 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 must 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 product category for prostatitis patients there are permitted and prohibited:
| Name | Legal Products | Prohibited Products |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks |
|
|
| soup |
|
|
| porridge |
|
|
| Pasta |
|
|
| Fish meat |
|
|
| bread |
|
|
| Fruits and berries |
|
|
| Eggs | Boiled eggs or in the form of an omelette, no more than 2 pcs. day | Fried egg dish |
| Oil |
|
|
| Sauces and seasonings |
|
|
| sweet |
|
|
| dairy |
|
|
| Vegetables |
|
|
The inclusion of prohibited products in the menu during remission or after recovery is made based on individual sensitivity and the intensity of the influence of these products. So, meat and fish soup, tomato and eggplant should be introduced first. And it is better to leave 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, healing, and especially the transition into a period of remission, does not mean that you can immediately return to your normal diet, especially if this is a return to eating harmful foods.
The diet is changed gradually:
- Soup is introduced first, because it is easy to digest.
- Lean pork and beef are added, as well as fattier fish, especially salmon.
- Various vegetables are allowed to grow - eggplant, spinach, tomatoes. Fresh fruits and berries are also added, but only the sweet ones.
- Among baked foods, the most acceptable are cookies with various additives.
- Legumes are also added - beans, peas, but gradually. The same goes for mushrooms.
- Sauces are introduced one by one. However, you should leave mayonnaise forever.
- Alcohol is allowed in moderation - 2 glasses of wine, one glass of vodka per day.
- You can add different types of cheese, 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.
- Difficult situation with chocolate and cocoa. If it is difficult to get rid of it forever, then the product is added last and start with simple cocoa with milk.
- Carbonated drinks are prohibited with rare exceptions.
- Fried foods were 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 prohibited foods, 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 non-infectious diseases. The food you eat determines the composition of your blood and urine and supplies you with the necessary vitamins and proteins. So a properly formulated diet can speed up recovery significantly.