The treatment of almost all diseases is accompanied by certain dietary restrictions. This is necessary to relieve the burden on the diseased organ or simply alleviate the condition and free up resources for healing. Diet for different ailments is different because it is related to 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 beneath the bladder. A fragment of the urethra runs through it, into which the 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 for maintaining the vital activity of sperm.
Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate leads to a number of problems:
- the inflamed organ enlarges and puts pressure on the urethra, causing difficulty in urination;
- for the same reason, intestinal function is impaired, resulting in constipation;
- When there is acute inflammation, the prostate is extremely painful and causes severe discomfort.
- with an infectious form, the organ becomes the focus of the spread of the disease and leads to general intoxication of the body;
- The enlarging organ puts pressure on blood vessels and impedes lymphatic drainage, contributing to blood stagnation. And this not only significantly aggravates the problem, but also causes other dysfunctions of the pelvic organs;
- The prostate no longer produces secretion in the required quantity and quality. Accordingly, in an unsuitable environment, sperm quickly die and the man loses the ability to fertilize;
- Inflammation makes it more difficult for secretions to be removed, so that the actual ejaculation process becomes almost impossible and leads to impotence.
There are different forms of prostatitis: acute, chronic, infectious, congestive, their symptoms are very different. In any case, the disease should be treated with modern medications and should not be ignored under any circumstances. The doctor will decide which diet is most effective for one form or another.
In addition, following a diet proves to be useful and here you will find out why. Any inflamed tissue is sensitive to the factors acting on it.
So food has a direct effect on the stomach, since some of its components strongly irritate the mucous membrane, others do not. And urine has a great influence on the condition of the bladder: its functionality depends on its composition.
The prostate is influenced by the composition of the blood, which is ultimately determined by the food consumed and the way food is digested. This refers to the proximity of the intestine: If it works with additional stress and the food consumed 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 impact on the prostate, which significantly speeds up and facilitates the treatment process.
Nutritional goals
The aim of the diet is to eliminate all possible factors that can cause irritation of the organ in men. In fact, there are not so many restrictions, but they should be followed with all care.
- The main goal of the diet is to reduce irritation. The latter is ensured by eating 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 it 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 leads to a negative effect on the prostate. Smoked, salty and spicy foods also severely irritate the intestines. In addition, smoked and salted meat makes work difficult, which in turn leads to constipation.
- Blood composition – 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 squeezing of the blood vessels, the blood supply to the organ is already disrupted. Blood stagnation significantly worsens the patient's condition. A diet containing easily digestible foods helps normalize blood circulation.
- The composition of urine improves or worsens the condition of the prostate. The patient's daily diet should include at least 2 liters of clean water or weak tea. In this way, the salt concentration in the urine is reduced. Accordingly, urine no longer irritates the urogenital organs.
This advice is perceived negatively by patients with increased nocturnal diuresis. In this case, it is advisable to drink more fluids in the morning and limit it in the evening.
It is impossible to reduce the total amount of fluid: concentrated urine strongly irritates the prostate, which causes pain.
- Ensure adequate nutrition - in order to restore the function of the organ and the immune system, a sufficient amount of proteins and vitamins is required. The diet must be tailored to these needs.
For prostatitis, the doctor usually prescribes nutritional table number 5. It is designed to protect the liver, but is suitable for almost all gastrointestinal or genitourinary problems in which the normal functioning of the body's biliary system is important.
Basic principles
The difference between nutrition for chronic and acute prostatitis is due to the condition of the organ itself.
With an exacerbation of chronic prostatitis and acute inflammation, the diet should be followed very strictly. Not recommended products - alcohol, smoked meats, coffee, beans - should be completely excluded from the diet. Even a small part of it leads to a significant deterioration in the condition.
In chronic cases, restrictions are not as strictly adhered to. 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 broths, drink coffee - no more than 1 cup per day, eat baked goods and spicy meat, but in small quantities. However, all of these assumptions are only possible in the remission stage. 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 principles of nutrition 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 according to physical activity. It is important not to exceed this value, as excess glucose in the blood is an irritant;
- limited fat content, especially of animal origin. They complicate and slow down digestion, which is unacceptable when there is inflammation of the prostate;
- The cooking method used is stewing, poaching in water and steaming. This ensures that the maximum nutritional value of the product is retained and the amount of fat must not be exceeded. Frying flour and vegetables is strictly forbidden - this combination severely irritates the intestines;
- Foods high in purine or oxalic acid are not allowed. The same restrictions apply to spicy foods and spices – garlic, onions;
- Excluded are products that can lead to 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 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 salt in the urine, which is highly irritating;
- Luxury foods are prohibited - coffee, strong tea, cocoa and chocolate. During the remission period, stimulants can be used in limited quantities;
- Be sure to drink a large amount of liquid - water, rosehip and chamomile decoctions, juices diluted with water, very weak tea with lemon.
The body sometimes has great difficulty adapting to a new diet. The probationary period is 5 days. If no adverse effects occur during this period - indigestion, fermentation in the intestines - the diet is followed until complete recovery or until remission occurs.
If negative effects occur, the menu must be reviewed: most likely, the diet contains a product to which there is an allergic reaction.
Menu for illness
The menu is as diverse as possible, while not forgetting that the diet should contain proteins - up to 80 g, fats - 80-90 g, carbohydrates - up to 400 g, of which at least 40 g are insoluble fiber.
The diet is designed for 2600-2800 kcal. If the patient is overweight, which aggravates prostatitis, the total calorie intake decreases 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 fruit, apple or sweet berries. Both fruits and berries are only recommended when they are very ripe and preferably baked or in the form of purees and jellies. You can supplement your diet with bananas.
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, lean meat rolls, dried fruit compote. During remission, you can consume weak meat broths and soups based on them.
- Afternoon snack: rosehip broth, crackers. Turkish delight and even marshmallows are allowed, but only in chronic form and in small quantities.
- Dinner – vegetable cutlets, tea, cookies.
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 apples, optionally 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 must be diluted with water.
- Dinner: boiled fish, mashed potatoes, tea.
It is strongly recommended to drink a glass of kefir or yogurt in the evening.
Permitted and prohibited products
In each category of products for patients with prostatitis, the following are allowed and prohibited:
| Surname | Authorized Products | Prohibited products |
|---|---|---|
| beverages |
|
|
| Soups |
|
|
| porridge |
|
|
| pasta |
|
|
| Meat fish |
|
|
| Bread |
|
|
| fruits and berries |
|
|
| Eggs | Boiled eggs or in the form of omelets, no more than 2 pieces. Day | Fried egg dishes |
| oil |
|
|
| Sauces and spices |
|
|
| Sweet |
|
|
| Dairy products |
|
|
| Vegetables |
|
|
The inclusion of prohibited products in the menu during remission or after recovery is carried out based on the individual sensitivity and intensity of the effect of this product. Therefore, meat and fish broth, tomatoes and eggplant should be introduced 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, healing, and especially going into remission, does not mean that you can immediately return to your usual diet, especially if this involves a return to eating harmful foods.
The diet is changed gradually:
- Broths are introduced first as they are easy to digest.
- There are also lean pork and beef as well as fatty fish, especially salmon.
- The range of permitted vegetables is expanding – eggplant, spinach, tomatoes. Fresh fruits and berries are also added, but only sweet ones.
- Among baked goods, the most acceptable are cookies with various additives.
- Legumes are also added – beans, peas, but little by little. The same applies to mushrooms.
- The sauces are added one at a time. However, you should avoid 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 when they find it really difficult to bear without it. 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, such products are added last, starting with plain cocoa with milk.
- Carbonated drinks are banned, with a few 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 eat forbidden 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 tool in the treatment of almost all diseases 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. A properly formulated diet can significantly speed up recovery.