By Andy Kress

When it comes to men, the prostate is a very important organ to maintain for a lifetime. Unfortunately, this delicate walnut-sized organ enlarges as we age resulting in a condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH. This overgrowth rarely produces symptoms before the age of 40, but more than half of the men in their sixties, and up to 90% of men in their seventies and eighties experience symptoms, including the need to urinate overnight, increased urgency or weak or low stream.

Cancers and malignancies are also common in this organ, with up to 320,000 new prostate cancer cases a year. Most of these cases could have been prevented by a healthier diet. Whether in the kitchen or out on the town, wiser choices can save you–and your prostate. The number one food that attacks your prostrate is the number one choice for protein when it comes to Americans.

That’s right, red meat. Red meats and processed meats can increase cancerous growths in the prostrate 12 to 33 percent. Studies suggest that the culprit is the level of fat in red meat as well as the carcinogens activated during the cooking process. Number two is eating nonorganic meats. These are meats that contain hormones, antibiotics and steroids, as well as other choice things animals should not be fed—but are.

This includes corn, soybeans and other non-organic grains used to”fatten” them up for slaughter. Overeating dairy products is number three on our list. Too many dairy products are high in fat and cholesterol, with some containing leftover hormones from those “juiced up” dairy cows. High intake of calcium through supplements or dairy products has been linked to prostate cancer by the American Heart Association or AHA.

Number four is canned tomatoes. Farm fresh tomatoes contain lycopene which aids prostrate health. Canned tomatoes, on the other hand, can contain bisphenol-A or BPA, a synthetic estrogen, from the resin lining of the can. In fifth place is microwave popcorn. The lining of microwavable popcorn bags contain carcinogenic chemicals, as well as perfluoroctanonic acid (PFOA), which is associated with human infertility.

Non-organic potatoes should be avoided as well. While potatoes are healthy vegetables, the non-organic variety can contain poisons, herbicides and pesticides that are absorbed from the ground in which they are grown. You cannot wash off the chemicals that have been leached into the skin of the potato. In seventh place are two of America’s favorites: french fries and potato chips. These potato products contain saturated fat content.

Additionally, when fries and chips are cooked, the acrylamide content becomes a carcinogen. Number eight is artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, neotame, cyclamate, sucralose and saccharin. These ingredients can already be found in a wide variety of foods you may already be eating, especially if you are on a diabetic diet. The key is to element the quantity of these non-calorie sugar replacements. Farmed salmon come in at number nine, for while the salmon itself is healthy, the fish feed they are given is loaded with antibiotics and other contaminants, lowering the omega-3 fatty acids and upping the contaminants.

Number ten on our list is sugar, so prevalent in many American foods and beverages. Over consumption of sugar not only adds extra calories, packing on pounds and the potential of diabetes, it can fuel prostate cancer growth. While the number one killer of men is still heart disease, eating a prostate-wise diet will benefit your entire body and add years to your sex life as well.