Treatment of almost all diseases is accompanied by certain restrictions in food. This is required to remove the diseased organ or simply to relieve the condition and free up resources for treatment. The diet for different diseases is different, because it depends on the characteristics of the disease. Prostatitis is no exception and also requires certain dietary restrictions.
Do you need a diet for prostatitis?
The prostate gland is an endocrine gland located below the bladder. A part of the urethra, where the excretory channels of the organ are opened, passes through it. The prostate gland 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 for preserving the vital activity of the sperm.
Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland causes a number of problems:
- the inflamed organ increases in size and puts pressure on the urethra, which causes difficulty in urinating;
- for the same reason, intestinal function becomes difficult, which causes constipation;
- with acute inflammation, the prostate is extremely painful and causes severe discomfort;
- with an infectious form, the organ becomes a center for the spread of the disease and causes general intoxication of the body;
- an enlarged organ puts pressure on blood vessels and obstructs lymphatic drainage, which contributes to blood stagnation. And this not only significantly aggravates 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. Accordingly, in an unsuitable environment, sperm quickly die and the man loses his ability to fertilize;
- inflammation makes it difficult to remove secretions, so that the process of ejaculation itself becomes almost impossible and causes impotence.
There are several different forms of prostatitis: acute, chronic, infectious, congestive, their symptoms are completely different. But in any case, the treatment of the disease should be carried out with modern medicines and should not be neglected in any case. The doctor will determine which diet will be most effective in one form or another.
In addition, following a diet is beneficial and here's why. Any inflamed tissue is sensitive to factors affecting it.
Thus, food has a direct effect on the stomach, because some of its components strongly irritate the mucous membrane, while others do not. It has a great influence on the state of the bladder: its functionality depends on its composition.
The prostate is affected by the composition of the blood, which is determined by the food consumed and the mode of digestion of the food. This refers to the proximity of the intestines: 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 body 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 cause organ irritation in men. Actually, there aren't that many restrictions, but they should be followed with all possible caution.
- The main purpose 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 near 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 membrane of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract, has a negative effect on the prostate. Smoky, salty, spicy foods also irritate the intestines. In addition, smoked and salted meat complicates the work, which in itself causes constipation.
- Blood composition - digested food ultimately leads to changes 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 drinking alcohol significantly worsens inflammation.
Normalization of blood flow - due to compression of blood vessels, the process of blood supply to the body is already disturbed. 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 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 salts in the urine decreases. Accordingly, urine stops irritating the genitourinary organs.
This recommendation is negatively received 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 irritates the prostate very much, which will cause pain.
- Ensuring adequate nutrition - a sufficient amount of protein and vitamins is required to restore the functioning of the body as well as the immune system. The diet should be designed to meet this need.
As a rule, the doctor prescribes diet chart number 5 for prostatitis. It is designed to protect the liver, but it is suitable for almost all gastrointestinal or genitourinary diseases where the normal functioning of the body's bile system is important.
Basic principles
The difference between the diet for chronic and acute prostatitis depends on the condition of the organ itself.
In case of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis and acute inflammation, the diet should be followed very strictly. Unrecommended foods - alcohol, smoked meat, coffee, beans - should be completely excluded from the diet. Even a small part of them causes 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 not 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. But 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 nutritional principles of table number 5 and strictly follow them until the inflammation is cured.
Dietary principles 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, are unacceptable during prostate inflammation;
- The cooking methods used are stewing, poaching and steaming. Thus, the maximum nutritional value of the product is preserved and the volume of fat is not allowed to be exceeded. It is strictly forbidden to fry flour and vegetables - this combination irritates the intestines very much;
- Any foods high in purines or oxalic acid are not allowed. The same restrictions apply to spicy foods and spices - garlic, onions;
- products that can cause fermentation and the formation of gases in the intestines are excluded - from beans and beans to carbonated water;
- it is necessary to limit the amount of salt - it should not exceed 10 g, which includes not only the salt itself, but also its content in baked goods. It leads to fluid retention in the body, which in turn causes a high concentration of salts in the urine, which is a strong irritant;
- Stimulants are prohibited - coffee, strong tea, cocoa and chocolate. Stimulants can be used in limited quantities during remission;
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids - water, decoction of rose hips and chamomile, juices diluted with water, very weak tea with lemon.
The body sometimes has great difficulty in switching to a new way of eating. The trial period is 5 days. If no negative effects occur during this period - indigestion, fermentation in the intestines, then the diet is followed until complete recovery or until remission occurs.
If negative effects appear, it is necessary to review the menu: most likely, there are some products in the diet with an allergic reaction.
Menu for illness
The menu is as varied as possible, not forgetting that the diet should contain proteins - up to 80 g, fats - 80-90 g, carbohydrates - up to 400 g, and at least 40 g of insoluble fiber.
The diet is designed for 2600-2800 kcal. If the patient is overweight, which aggravates prostatitis, then the total caloric intake is reduced due to low fat and carbohydrates. Here is a sample 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 fruits, apples or sweet berries. Both fruits and berries are recommended only when they are very ripe and preferably cooked or in the form of purees and jellies. You can complete your diet with bananas.
For 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 roll, dried fruit compote. During remission, you can consume weak meat broths and soups based on them.
- Afternoon snack: hip broth, crackers. Turkish delight and even marshmallows are allowed, but in chronic form and in small quantities.
- Dinner - vegetable cutlets, tea, biscuits.
2 nd day:
- Breakfast: cottage cheese with a small amount of honey, oats or buckwheat cooked in a mixture of 50% water and 50% milk. Milk porridge is allowed during remission.
- Second breakfast: baked apple, optional with honey.
- Lunch: vegetable soup with vegetable oil, boiled chicken, rice. Dried fruit compote.
- Afternoon snack: rose hip and chamomile broth. If your condition is stable, you can eat fresh fruit or berries. You can also drink freshly squeezed juice. In case of exacerbation, it is necessary to dilute the water with water.
- Dinner: boiled fish, mashed potatoes, tea.
Drinking a glass of kefir or yogurt at night is highly recommended.
Permitted and prohibited products
For patients with prostatitis, the following are allowed and prohibited in each category of products:
| name | Authorized Products | Prohibited Products |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks |
|
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| Soups |
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| porridge |
|
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| Pasta |
|
|
| Meat fish |
|
|
| Bread |
|
|
| Fruits and berries |
|
|
| Egg | In the form of boiled eggs or 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. So, meat and fish broth, tomato and eggplant should be served first. And it is better to forever give up carbonated drinks and smoked foods, especially sausages.
Nutrition after recovery
Recovery means no pain, normal prostate function, normal ejaculation, difficulty urinating, and no secondary symptoms.
However, healing and especially going into remission doesn't mean you can immediately go back to your regular diet, especially back to eating these unhealthy foods.
The diet is gradually changed:
- Broths are served first because they are easily digested.
- Lean pork and beef are added, as well as oilier fish, especially salmon.
- The range of allowed vegetables is expanding - eggplant, spinach, tomatoes. Fresh fruits and berries are also added, but only sweet ones.
- Among the baked goods, the most acceptable are biscuits with various additions.
- Legumes are also added - beans, peas, but very gradually. The same goes for mushrooms.
- Sauces are served one at a time. However, you should give up mayonnaise forever.
- Alcohol is allowed in moderation - 2 glasses of wine, one glass of vodka per day.
- You can add different types of cheeses, including spicy cheeses.
- If people find it difficult to tolerate the absence of coffee, they start drinking it. No more than 1 cup of espresso per day is allowed.
- 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 foods are the latest and only available in limited quantities.
- The ban on smoked and salted fish and meat remains forever.
Depending on the condition of the patient, it is possible to consume prohibited foods, but in very limited quantities. If the product causes intestinal irritation and provokes prostate pain, 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. Thus, a properly designed diet can significantly speed up recovery.