How to Keep My PSA Low

PSA level, standing for prostate-specific antigen, rises when cancer exists in the prostate gland, a walnut-shaped gland whose secretions nourish and transport sperm. While high PSA levels do not directly cause cancer, evidence suggests that a higher PSA factors into a higher cancer risk. Thus, men prone to higher PSA levels may be more prone to getting prostate cancer. Lowering your PSA score as much as possible makes sense in the quest for good health.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat lycopene-rich foods. Studies suggest that even small amounts of lycopene, such as in tomatoes, contribute to lowering PSA levels significantly. Lycopene-rich foods include tomatoes, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, and watermelon.

• 2

  Get regular PSA-level testing. If your doctor detects cancer cells early through PSA-testing, he can decide on a plan to help get your PSA levels under control. He may do this through prescription drugs that inhibit the enzyme that encourages prostate cell growth.

• 3

  Switch to a low-fat diet supplemented with flaxseed. Some preliminary studies show that such an eating plan may keep PSA scores low. Whether you include the flaxseed or not, eating a low-fat diet seems to help lower the risk of prostate cancer.