Can Daily Consumption of Garlic and Onions Promote Prostate Health?
Last updated on November 21st, 2024 at 01:55 pm
10 minutes read.
In this article:
Overview
Your choice of diet is one of the most important contributing factors to cancer risk.
Garlic (Allium sativum) and Onion (Allium cepa) are among the oldest of all cultivated plants and are now used as food and for medical purposes.
For instance, garlic for hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. These vegetables are popular in world cuisines and are valued for their potential medicinal properties.
They’re cheap and can easily be added to any recipe.
Among the dietary improvements that can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, garlic and onions including leaf onions have been reported in many studies.
In 1990, the U.S. National Cancer Institute initiated the Designer Food Program to determine which foods played an important role in cancer prevention.
They concluded that garlic may be the most potent food having cancer-preventive properties.
This article takes you through how the consumption of onions and garlic may improve your prostate health including scientific evidence that backs the claim.
What’s Prostate?
The human prostate is a walnut-sized organ at the base of the urinary bladder. It is the seat of three major causes of morbidity: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, and prostatitis.
As such it commands more attention than might be expected from an organ of this size.
The prostate gland lies between the bladder neck and the urogenital diaphragm, just anterior to the rectum.
The prostate gland produces and secretes an alkaline fluid, which energizes and protects the sperm during ejaculation.
What is Cancer?
In simple terms, Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the prostate, it is called prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men however it seems to be more common among the black races.
How prostate disease develop
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CRC), as a man ages, the prostate tends to increase in size.
This can cause the urethra to narrow and decrease urine flow. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it is not the same as prostate cancer.
Men may also have other prostate changes that are not cancerous.
What are the Risk factors for prostate disease?
All men are at risk for prostate cancer. For example, Out of every 100 American men, about 13 will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and about 2 to 3 men will die from prostate cancer.
1. Age
The most common risk factor is age. The older a man is, the greater the chance of getting prostate cancer.
2. African American Men
Some men are at increased risk for prostate cancer. You are at increased risk for getting prostate cancer if you are African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer.
Studies evidence shown that the black race may be likely to be at more risk of getting prostate cancer than other men.
3. Your Diet and Lifestyle: Certain foods and products contain certain chemicals that may be carcinogenic on long-term use.
4. If you get prostate cancer at a younger age
Those who get prostate cancer at a younger age tend to have more advanced disease when it is found and tend to have a more severe type of prostate cancer than other men.
5. Family History (Genetic Risk Factors)
For some men, genetic factors may put them at higher risk of prostate cancer. You may have an increased risk of getting a type of prostate cancer caused by genetic changes that are inherited.
6. You have a first-degree relative (father, son, or brother) who had prostate cancer, including relatives in three generations on your mother’s or father’s side of the family.
7. You were diagnosed with prostate cancer when you were 55 years old or younger.
You were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and other members of your family have been diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer. Talk to your doctor about your family health history.
Symptoms of Prostate Disease/Cancer
Different people have different symptoms of prostate cancer. Some men do not have symptoms at all.
If you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away:
- Difficulty starting urination.
- The weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Urinating often, especially at night.
- Trouble emptying the bladder.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away.
- Painful ejaculation.
However, Keep in mind that these symptoms may be caused by other health conditions other than prostate cancer therefore it’s advisable to get yourself screened and ascertain the root of the problem early.
Diagnosis
How do you diagnose prostate disease?
There is no standard test to screen for prostate cancer. Two tests that are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer are described below.
1. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
A blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate.
The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. The PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate.
As a rule, the higher the PSA level in the blood, the more likely a prostate problem is present. But many factors, such as age and race, can affect PSA levels. Some prostate glands make more PSA than others.
PSA levels also can be affected by:
- Certain medical procedures.
- Certain medications.
- An enlarged prostate.
- A prostate infection.
Because many factors can affect PSA levels, your doctor is the best person to interpret your PSA test results. If the PSA test is abnormal, your doctor may recommend a biopsy to find out if you have prostate cancer.
A biopsy is a procedure that can be used to diagnose prostate cancer. A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is removed from the prostate and looked at under a microscope to see if there are cancer cells.
A biopsy is the main tool for diagnosing prostate cancer, but a doctor can use other tools to help make sure the biopsy is made in the right place.
For example, doctors may use transrectal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help guide the biopsy.
2. Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
Digital rectal examination (DRE) is when a health care provider inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into a man’s rectum to feel the prostate for anything abnormal, such as cancer.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend DRE as a screening test because of a lack of evidence on the benefits.
Maintaining your prostate health
How do you maintain your prostate health?
To maintain your prostate health, you need to eat garlic and onions daily for a long period of your lifetime
Here’s why?
Garlic components have been found to block the covalent binding of carcinogens to DNA, enhance the degradation of carcinogens, have anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging properties, and regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses due to its sulfur-rich compounds (allicin).
Red/purple onions are rich in flavonoids with the scale (peel) containing higher amounts that are responsible for the reported antioxidant activity, immune enhancement, and anticancer properties.
Onions contain high levels of non-nutrient antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, and alkenyl cysteine sulfoxides (ACSOs), which have protective effects against different degenerative pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other dysfunctions based on oxidative stress.
So if you want to lip all the benefits in full be sure to eat Onions together with the peel likewise garlic.
Related: How to Use Onions Skin to Prepare Varieties of Food
Scientific Evidence that Back Consumption of Garlic and Onions for Prostate Health.
Can regular consumption of onions and garlic help improve prostate health?
Well, I can’t answer yes to the above question, however, I will take you through some of the scientific evidence that has supported this claim.
Here is some scientific evidence that supports the consumption of garlic and onion can improve prostate health:
In a population-based, case-control study conducted in Shanghai, China, they investigated the association between the intake of allium vegetables, including garlic and onions, and the risk of prostate cancer.
The scientists administered in-person interviews and collected information on 122 food items from 238 case subjects with the incident, histologically confirmed prostate cancer, and from 471 male population control subjects.
Men in the highest of three intake categories of total allium vegetables (greater than 10.0 g per day) had a statistically significantly lower risk.
A similar comparison among the participants showed reductions in prostate risk for men with the highest intake of garlic.
However, the reduced risk of prostate cancer associated with higher consumption of allium vegetables was more pronounced for patients with localized prostate cancer than for those with advanced cancer.
Other older research has reported that promising data from clinical studies suggest that the regular consumption of garlic and onion may prevent prostate cancer.
Allium-derived organosulphur compounds found in onions and garlic may be responsible, at least in part, for the anticarcinogenic activity according to the scientists
The unique properties of garlic and onion may be clinically important because their daily intake for a prolonged period is expected to be free of risk.
A 2004 study published in the peer-reviewed British Journal of Cancer suggests that regular consumption of garlic and onion shows promising signs of possessing chemo-preventive activity in patients with prostate cancer.
Another study published in 2007 also found out that men with prostate enlargement (BPH) typically ate less garlic and fewer servings of onions per week than those without it.
The study, however, pointed out some weaknesses which include not taking into account changes in diet over time.
Similarly, studies have indicated some associations of Allium vegetable (Onions and onions leaf) consumption with decreased risk of cancer, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.
Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been inconsistently related to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
However, a meta-analysis suggests that total fruit or vegetable consumption may not exert a protective role in the risk of prostate cancer.
Precisely the research examined the associations of fruit and vegetable intakes with prostate cancer risk in a population-based, case-control study of men under 65 years of age, and found the protective effects of vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables, on prostate cancer risk.
This study justifies further research to differentiate the effects of specific vegetables and to discover the mechanisms underlying associations between total and cruciferous vegetables and the risk of prostate cancer.
It also provides support for the general public health recommendation to increase vegetable intake according to the researchers.
Prevention
How do you Prevent Prostate disease or cancer?
1. Maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity is linked to several prostate health issues, including prostate cancer. A balanced diet and consistent exercise are important for a healthy prostate and maintaining a healthy weight.
2. Eat garlic and onions regularly, at least half medium Onions bulb, and two gloves of garlic per day for your lifetime.
As you have learned today the potential power of regularly consuming onions and garlic on your prostate health.
3. A diet rich in green, leafy vegetables is important for a healthy prostate. Vitamins and antioxidants found in vegetables keep you and your prostate healthy.
Try adding any dark green leafy vegetables you can find in your area.
Example lettuce (romaine is among the most nutritious varieties), spinach, ugu and ugboro (pumpkin leaf), ayu (a type of pumpkin fruit), ayara, awa, bitter leaf, uziza leaf, green, kale, and broccoli to your meals each day.
3. Reduce consumption of red meat.
HCAs and PAHs are chemicals produced from red meat when prepared under high temperatures (such as barbequing and grilling, deep frying, or overcooked red meat).
Research had shown that these two chemicals can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. As a result, too much consumption of such meat may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.
By eating red meat only on special occasions, you can reduce your risk.
Related: What are the Health Benefits of Garlic?
Related: What are the medicinal benefits of Red onions?
4. Know your risk and get tested.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prostate cancer screening recommendations differ depending on whether you’re in a high-risk or an average-risk group.
Men with a higher risk of developing prostate cancer include African-Americans, people of Scandinavian descent, and anyone who has two or more family members who were diagnosed with prostate cancer.
If you are in a high-risk group, you should consider getting screened for prostate cancer starting at age 40. Men who are at normal risk are encouraged to consider screenings starting at age.
5. Exercise regularly.
Exercise has a preventive effect on many conditions that affect prostate health.
Even 30 minutes of moderate activity each day, like a brisk walk or jog, can have far-reaching health benefits.
6. Hydrate daily (drink plenty of water)
Drinking water is essential for prostate and overall health. On average, it is recommended to consume at least eight cups of water daily. Be sure to drink water during and after exercise.
7. Manage stress.
Although stress may not directly cause prostate issues, long-term stress can weaken the immune system, alter your hormonal balance, and make you more susceptible to disease.
Meditation is a great way to ease daily pressures and can also help improve your mental health.
8. Stop smoking if you do.
Smoking contributes to some of the leading causes of death in men.
The carbon monoxide in tobacco attaches to red blood cells until the cell dies, which can cause prostate cancer and other diseases.
If you’re a smoker, talk to your doctor about the best plan to quit.
FALSE CLAIM
WARNING!
Spring onions or Leaf onions in pigin is a good Treatment for Prostate Cancer without Surgery. Go to any local herbs market and buy like 1,000 frs worth of SPRING ONION. It is also called leaf onion. Cut the roots off and wash the leafs with clean water.
Mash the leaves into a paste and put the paste in a clean jug or bottle that you can easily dip a spoon into. Get PALM Kernel oil- the black oil (manga oil) and pour some of the oil into the paste and mix thoroughly with a spoon.
Take 2 tablespoonfuls morning and night. Within two weeks, the symptoms will disappear completely and permanently. No surgery, no expensive drugs. It is one of God’s many free gifts to humans. your friend, colleague, or relation might need this information.
Facebook user link
A Facebook user posted the above claim on his page and the information was spreading via social media.
A friend sent it to me on WhatsApp so I decided to do deep research on the claim to find out if there are any scientific experimental studies that have examined such a mixture.
Unfortunately, no scientific experimental studies have backed this claim for now.
However, as much as regular consumption of onions and garlic for a lifetime can reduce the risk of prostate cancer but not to use the quantity mentioned on the above claim at a time.
On the other hand, in some part of Africa like Nigeria palm kernel oil (ude aki/enu aki/meyanga oil) which is a rich source of lauric acid (an antimicrobial agent) have been used locally to remedy some kind of health problem such as constipation, skin infection, cold, calm high body temperature in children, among others, however, it has not been scientifically proved to be effective against prostate disease or cancer.
From my findings so far scientific studies backing palm kernel oil as an effective agent to promote prostate health are lacking. So, beware of such a claim.
However, future research may want to examine the positive effect of such a mixture on prostate health.
I hope you get the value worth your time, I appreciate the time you spend with me. Leave a comment below if you find this article helpful and don’t forget to drop your question, opinion, or criticism if any. Cheers!
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