The prostate is a small peanut size gland located between the bladder and the penis, just in front of the rectum with the urethra (tube that removes urine) going right through it. The prostate secretes the fluid that protects the sperm. During ejaculation, this fluid is secreted from the prostate into the urethra, where it mixes with the sperm resulting in semen. There are natural ways for you to boost your prostate health.
As men age, the prostate undergoes changes. Moreover, 65% of men will develop lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) like nocturia (urinating during the night with more frequency than during the day), urgency to urinate; increase in the frequency of urination, sensation of not emptying the bladder fully and stop-start urination, during the course of their life because of prostate problems.
Benning prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions that affect middle aged men. The prostate gland cells increase their size, this can lead to an overall enlarged prostate gland, which can cause LUST; BPH is also a risk factor for developing prostate cancer. By the time they are 60 years old, more than 30% of men will suffer from severe LUST that requires surgical intervention.
The cause of BPH is not completely understood, but the truth is that all men will experience some degree of BPH. Studies show that androgens (a group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity) have a clear role in developing this condition; in fact, the traditional medical treatment targets the enzyme 5a-reductase to help control the levels of androgens. Medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, sedentary life, and erectile dysfunction are considered a risk factor for BHP because they trigger systemic inflammation, which seems to be a common pattern to develop BHP.
When LUST symptoms appear, the BHP needs to be treated, since this condition can deeply affect the quality of life. Modern medicine uses drugs to inhibit the enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of androgens (enzyme 5a-reductase). The medical treatment has been proven to reduce symptoms and reduce the size of the prostate. For patients with severe conditions surgery is required.
Men should focus on trying to prevent BHP from happening. This is not an easy task, because as mentioned before, the causes of BHP are not fully known. However, what the scientific community knows is that reducing systemic inflammation reduces the risk of BHP. Here are some things you can do to improve your prostate health.
7 Natural Ways To Boost Prostate Health
- Lose weight
If you are overweight or obese, getting on a healthy weight range will help improve your quality of life over all, but it can also prevent prostate enlargement. Losing weight should not be about looking a certain way, but to stay in what is considered the healthy weight range for you. The World Health Organization, suggests that a healthy weight is with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 to 25 kg/m2.
- Decreasing caffeine
Although the reason is not completely known, decreasing levels of caffeine seems to be beneficial to prevent BHP. What is considered a safe amount of caffeine is 400mg/day; this is the amount of four cups of coffee. Reduce your levels of caffeine to as low as possible and do not consume more than 400mg/day.
- Add lycopene to your diet
Lycopene is presumed to help reduce the size of the prostate and reduce prostate cancer. Lycopene is a red pigment that gives the color to fruits. Some of the sources are tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, and peaches.
- Eat citrus fruits
Vitamin C seems to have benefits to help reduce the prostate size and cancer risk. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, lemons, grapefruit and bell peppers.
- Zinc
Normal individuals have high levels of zinc, in men with BPH and prostate cancer the levels of zinc are low. Zinc also affects the function of the enzyme 5a-reductase, acting in a similar way that prescribed drugs do to treat BHP. Zinc can be found in nuts and seeds.
- Add selenium and vitamin D to your diet
Both selenium and vitamin D reduce the risk of BHD and prostate cancer. They help maintain prostate size and health and you can find it in Brazilian nuts and fish. Both selenium and vitamin D can be found in dairy and red meat; however red meat has proven to have a negative impact on BHP and it is recommended to decrease your intake.
- Herbal remedies
Saw palmetto is a herbal medication popularly used for BHP. This extract is derived from the fruit of the Serenoa ripens. The active components of the saw palmetto act by inhibiting the function of the enzyme 5a-reductase, just like modern drugs do. This activity has been shown in vitro; in humans, the activity of the saw palmetto can be irregular. It is a fantastic aid to naturally reduce the symptoms of BHP, but it does not reduce the size, as traditional medication does.
All men will suffer from prostate enlargement at one point of their lives. The key is to try to use natural ways to boost your prostate health, to delay and reduce the symptoms as much as possible. Exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, reduce the levels of red meat, and visit your doctors annually for checkups.
