Middle age is a critical period when calcium begins to be lost and osteoporosis sets in, making calcium supplementation an essential part of health. As an excellent source of calcium, milk is a staple on the dining table, but for patients with prostate diseases, excessive milk consumption for calcium supplementation may increase the risk of developing the condition.
A recent study from Harvard Medical School in the United States indicates that men who consume dairy products have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to men of the same age who do not consume them frequently.
This 11-year follow-up study of 21,000 men found that those who consumed more than 600mg of calcium from dairy products daily (equivalent to about 600ml of milk) had a 32% higher risk of prostate cancer compared to those who consumed less than 150mg daily.
In this regard, Dr. Jinming Jia, Chief Physician of the Urology Department at Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, explained that the intake of calcium alone does not adversely affect the prostate. However, the calcium in the study was sourced from milk, so the factor of milk itself cannot be overlooked.
Milk contains animal protein, which is rich in androgens. This can promote prostate hyperplasia, worsen the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and accelerate the progression of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to clinical prostate cancer.
Furthermore, animal protein is an acidic food that can increase the burden on the kidneys. It also generates a large amount of oxygen free radicals in the body, promoting the aging of the prostate.
Dr. Jia advises that patients with prostate diseases, especially those with BPH and prostate cancer, should avoid high-protein, high-fat, and high-calorie foods even when calcium supplementation is necessary. This is because such foods not only contain abundant animal protein,加重加重 the prostate's burden, but are also likely to trigger "wealth-related diseases" like diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, all of which are detrimental to prostate health. Surveys have shown that individuals with a higher standard of living have a significantly higher incidence of prostate diseases, and the prevalence of these conditions is higher in more affluent countries.
Therefore, for patients with prostate diseases, it is crucial to manage diet carefully. This includes reducing meat intake and consuming more low-fat foods, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Legumes are particularly beneficial as they are rich in calcium and contain phytoestrogens, which can relatively weaken the effects of androgens. For prostate patients, this可谓 "a two-pronged approach".