Page 19 - Florida Sentinel 3-11-16 Edition

Health
Probiotics And The Power Foods That Can Help To Reduce Prostate Inflammation
If You Are Living With Diabetes... Maintain Your Glucose Level
Some experts say differences in lifestyle and diet play a role in the disproportional rate that African- American men are likely to die from prostate cancer than other ethnicities, especially white men.
One way to treat any prostate inflammation (chronic prostatitis), which some experts say can possibly develop into prostate cancer, is to take a probiotic supplement. This natural, alternative ap- proach helps restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract if you have been pre- scribed antibiotics for prostatitis.
According to the American Prostatitis Associa- tion, probiotics are the beneficial bacteria and mi- croflora that live in your gut – similar to the good bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods. If you regularly take probiotics the chance of devel- oping acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis de- creases as you fight inflammation and possible infections.
Some common causes of bacterial prostatitis are urinary tract infections, epididymitis and urethritis. If you do develop prostatitis despite preventative
efforts, probiotics can help with management. Here are some tips for finding good sources of
probiotics:
Foods
Any type of fermented vegetables, yogurt, kefir and buttermilk are good sources of probiotics. Fer- mented vegetables include sauerkraut and kimchee. They typically don’t have a large amount of active bacteria in them, however. Pasteurization and pro- cessing of these foods typically kill any good bacte-
riaW. hole foods and natural foods are also great for your diet – including non-acidic fruits, high-quality protein, foods high in zinc and zinc supplements, omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats found in the Mediterranean diet, which can help reduce inflam- mation in the body.
Beverages
Water is also crucial. Drink more water (pre- ferrably 8-10 8 oz. glasses daily) and try to avoid soda and caffeine.
Men’s Probiotic Supplement
Try to find products that include reputable Lac- tobacillus (lactic acid bacteria that help break down food, promote digestion and also helps eliminate bad bacteria) and Bifidobacterium (supports the im- mune system, aids in digestion, fights allergic reac- tions and infections, reduces cholesterol levels and hosts other anti-cancer properties) species to ensure a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. It’s possible to also combine prostatitis probi- otics with additional natural supplements, such as quercetin and pollen extracts.
Foods To Avoid
According to reports, certain foods can exacer- bate prostatitis symptoms. These foods include spicy foods and hot peppers, which can increase rectal sensitivity in people with irritable bowel syndrome – a condition associated with chronic prostatitis. Other foods to avoid are wheat, gluten, caffeine, acidic foods and alcoholic beverages.
Glucose levels are crucial for those living with diabetes, espe- cially African Americans who are at greater risk of the disease.
A recent preliminary study found that Verapamil, an old drug used to treat hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia and mi- graines, could be used to lower blood sugar levels, Medscape Medical News reported.
More than 13% of Blacks ages 20 and older have been diag- nosed with diabetes. And, ac- cording to the ADA, African Americans are 1.7 times more likely to have diabetes than whites.
The A1C test details your av- erage blood glucose control within the past few months. Physicians recommend taking the test at least twice a year. A normal A1C level is below 5.7%. Anywhere between 5.7 and 6.4% typically indicates signs of pre- diabetes. A person is usually di- agnosed with type 2 diabetes when their A1C is over 6.5%. While living with diabetes, it’s
safe to have a goal of 7% for A1C. Here are some tips to im- prove your blood sugar levels
and lower your A1C:
Exercise.
Try to workout for at least 30 minutes five days a week. It’s helpful to use activities you enjoy as exercise routine, like riding a bicycle or taking the dog for a walk.
Schedule Meals
It’s important to stick to a schedule for meals to make sure you aren’t eating too much or too often. Either one can cause your blood sugar levels to rise and fall.
Check Your Blood Sugar
It’s necessary to keep track of your blood sugar levels to better schedule when you should be eating. This keeps you in tune with what foods may spike your glucose level.
Eat A Balanced Diet
Think about serving sizes when eating fruits, proteins, complex carbs like potatoes and other starches. Try using a smaller plate when eating to avoid overeating, which could also affect your blood glucose.
Meanwhile, stay away from sodas, which are high in sugar, and fruit juice.
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