Prostate Health

The prostate, a walnut-sized gland that lies between the bladder and the penis, is vitally importance to every man’s health. The prostate carries urine from the bladder, and adds fluid to sperm just before ejaculation. Keeping the prostate healthy is an important priority for every man.
Prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer as the most common form of cancer for men in America. Symptoms of this slow moving disease include nodules on the prostate that may be felt during a digital rectal exam, and painful urination. Bone pain in advanced stages of the disease may be felt.
Prostatic hypertrophy, or enlargement of the prostate, is a common prostate problem. It is estimated that 70% of men over age 50 have some prostatic hypertrophy. Symptoms include increased urination at night, hesitancy while urinating, blood in the urine and burning while urinating.
The key of course is to help prevent prostate problems from developing. Prevention saves lives and reduces healthcare costs. Don’t wait until a problem surfaces. Help your body now to avoid possible problems in the future. Here’s how.
See your healthcare provider if you experience the following symptoms:
– Painful urination with lower back pain, fever and pelvic pain
– An urge to urinate but can’t get a stream started
– Weak urine stream
– Frequent urination
– You finish urinating but your bladder still feels full.
There are several natural treatments available for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH):
– Saw palmetto contains fatty acids, esters, and sterols that keep the prostate healthy and reduce inflammation. Studies show that it helps lower levels of DHT, estrogen, and progesterone. This decreases the chance of developing BPH.
– Pygeum, an herb native to Africa, has clinically proven even more effective than saw palmetto in alleviating BPH. Taken with saw palmetto, these two herbs can even reduce prostatitis and has been shown to reverse impotence
– Stinging nettle has also been recommended in the treatment of prostate problems.
– PC-SPES (PC for prostate cancer, spes is Latin for hope) is a combination of saw palmetto and other herbs.
– Lycopene, a chemical found in high levels in watermelon and tomatoes, can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by more than 40 percent. It is important to have ten servings a week of tomatoes in order to have a strong anti-cancer effect
– Pumpkin seeds contain essential fatty acids and strongly nurture the prostate
– Zinc is important for prostate function and has been shown to reduce prostate size.
– Vitamin C in high doses may decrease toxicity and reduce the possibility of cancer.
– Vitamin E in its gamma form may be very effective in helping men avoid prostate cancer. Most of us take the alpha form of vitamin E. The next time you purchase vitamin E make sure it’s a mixed formula that contains the gamma version or buy the gamma tocopherol separately.
– Exercising has been found to lower the risk of prostate problems. However, bike riding may cause enlargement of the prostate, so avoid this form of exercise if possible.
– A supplement containing three amino acids (glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid) has been proven to greatly reduce symptoms without any side effects. It is believed these amino acids reduce swelling in the prostate.
– Beta-sitosterol, a compound found in many edible plants, has also been found to be helpful for men with BPH. Men receiving beta-sitosterol had a significant improvement in urinary flow and an improvement in symptoms.
– Flower pollen has been reported to improve symptoms of BPH.
– Avoid or reduce drinking alcohol, eating sugar and starchy foods, drinking caffeine and consuming hydrogenated fats (including margarine). Exposure to tobacco products should also be avoided.