New Study Reports Link Between Walking and Prostate Health
Article by Isaac Eliaz
Many men, especially those over the age of 45, are becoming more concerned about their prostate health. In fact, one in six men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Protecting and preserving prostate health is no small feat, however, many options exist today that can promote prostate health without a multitude of unpleasant and unnecessary side effects. For instance, a new study shows that simply walking can greatly benefit prostate health. Exercise has long been shown to promote vitality, especially since it boosts the immune system, but this new study shows that walking at a brisk or vigorous pace inhibited unhealthy prostate conditions by up to 61 percent!
The experiment studied 1,455 men with prostate cancer. Erin L. Richman, MD, of the Harvard School of Public Health and fellow researchers found that men who walked briskly for three hours per week or more, had a 57 percent lower rate of progression than men who walked at a leisurely pace for less than three hours a week. They also found that men who exercised more vigorously experienced a 61 percent decrease in death from prostate cancer. Dr Richman concluded that the results, “…suggest significant clinical benefits of brisk walking for men….” The researchers observed that many men battling prostate cancer may not engage in much exercise. However, as many studies continue to show, simply moving the body enough to get your heart rate up, as occurs with walking, is highly beneficial and may actually help to fight prostate cancer, as well as other types of cancer.
When we exercise, even for a short time, a wealth of positive reactions occurs within the body. But the benefits of exercise aren’t just physical. They are also mental, emotional and even spiritual. Mind-body exercises, such as yoga or Tai-chi, can help to relieve stress, anxiety and occasional depression associated with illness, as well as providing a good workout!
Common-sense strategies for cancer prevention, such as eating vegetables and exercising, are still some of the most effective tools we have to take control of our own health. Take care of yourself by nourishing your body with natural ingredients. Nature offers us not only sustenance, but powerful compounds now recognized by science to promote health, such as antioxidants and polyphenols. Today, more and more doctors are recommending natural ingredients found in plants, herbs, and some vegetables that can greatly support prostate health.
Herbal supplements that contain scientifically-researched nutrients, medicinal mushrooms, minerals, and botanicals from both traditional herbal medicine and modern western medicine are highly effective for improving prostate health and preventing the onset of cancer. Key natural extracts proven to support prostate health include a highly bio-available form of turmeric root, saw palmetto berry, grape skin, pomegranate, pumpkin seed, pygeum bark, sarsaparilla root, green tea, Japanese knotweed, and stinging nettle. Another powerful ingredient for promoting prostate health is 3,3′-diinodolymethane (DIM). DIM is the biologically active ingredient derived from broccoli and research has demonstrated its benefits on cellular health and hormone balance. DIM promotes the excretion of both excess estrogen and xenoestrogens (potent estrogen-like compounds which are of special concern in prostate health). In addition, antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D3, selenium, and natural polyphenols including quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea, and ellagic acid from pomegranate are also beneficial for preventing the growth of harmful cancer cells. For more information about prostate cancer and other harmful conditions affecting men’s health, visit http://www.dreliaz.org
About the Author
Dr. Isaac Eliaz is a respected author, lecturer, researcher, product formulator, and clinical practitioner. He has been a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine since the early 1980s. Dr. Eliaz is a frequent guest lecturer on integrative medical approaches to health, immune enhancement, and cancer prevention and treatment.