The Easiest Way to Keep Your Prostate Healthy For Life

By Dr. Floyd Taub

Introduction 
  

 Sooner or later, it seems that prostate difficulties inevitably interfere with a man's quality of life. At least 6 out of 10 men over the age of 50 have "significant" enlargement of the prostate, the walnut sized gland that surrounds the urethra at the base of the penis.  

The condition comes about when cells in the prostate begin to multiply too quickly, causing the prostate to swell, sometimes pressing on or pinching off the urethra.      Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, can cause pain and tenderness, painful or frequent urination, or even prostate cancer.  And it can throw a wet blanket over even the healthiest sex life.

The prevention of prostatic disease is of primary importance.  At all costs, you want to avoid prostate surgery, which can leave you permanently impotent and incontinent.  But there is no reason to suffer diminished quality of life or even occasional discomfort.

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to protect the health of your prostate.   I've found that prostate health can be easily enhanced and protected with simple nutritional measures.

 This article will focus on the nutritional supplements that have the strongest and safest track record in helping to reduce the painful symptoms associated with prostate disorders. 

What Can Go Wrong: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages. The term BPH can refer either to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. While both conditions result in the same symptoms, they are actually two very different disease processes. Hyperplasia occurs when the cells within your prostate begin multiplying at a greater rate than usual; in contrast, hypertrophy is a result of your prostate cells becoming larger than normal. The end result of both hyperplasia and hypertrophy is the inflammation of your prostate gland, causing the agonizing symptoms outlined below.

In adult men, prostate growth is fueled primarily by sex hormones. In the body, testosterone is converted to a more potent form called Di-Hydro-Tesosterone, or DHT.  As men age, they tend to convert more testosterone into DHT, which triggers the growth of the prostate.  

As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable. The  bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination. Eventually, the bladder weakens and loses the ability to empty itself. Urine remains in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and partial emptying of the bladder cause many of the problems associated with BPH.

BPH rarely causes symptoms before age 40, but more than half of men in their sixties and as many as 90 percent in their seventies and eighties have some symptoms of BPH.

Symptoms of BPH 

      Many symptoms of BPH stem from an obstruction of the urethra and gradual loss of bladder function, which results in incomplete emptying of the bladder. The symptoms of BPH vary, but the most common ones involve changes or problems with urination, such as:

· A hesitant, interrupted or weak stream

· Difficulty starting urination

· Urgency, and leaking or dribbling

· More frequent urination, especially at night

· Blood in the urine

· Pain or burning on urination

The American Urological Association recommends a yearly prostate examination for every man over the age of 40 and an immediate examination for any man who persistently experiences any of the symptoms listed above.

ConventionalTreatment Options for Prostate Disease

       Conventional medical options for the treatment of BPH range from drugs to surgery. Drugs such as Finasteride and Terazosin treat BPH by shrinking the prostate, thereby eliminating the cause of blocked or frequent urination. However, these drugs do have troubling side effects such as a loss of interest in sex, headaches, dizziness, fatigue and difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.

Surgery is another option used to treat BPH. However, most men would prefer to avoid undergoing surgery because, as with any invasive procedure, serious risks do exist. Potential adverse effects of surgery include loss of sexual function and problems holding back the urine stream. 

There are safer ways to protect yourself from prostate cancer and help treat the symptoms of BPH. Dietary supplements such as saw palmetto and lycopene have been clinically shown to help ward off cancer and ease the discomfort of BPH symptoms safely and naturally.

Beta-Sitosterol: Powerful Prostate Protection 

Phytosterols, such as beta-sitosterol, have been shown to help significantly in easing the uncomfortable symptoms associated with BPH. Researchers believe that beta-sitosterol may help block the conversion of the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone via an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase (5AR). This process has been implicated as a key factor in the development of BPH. Beta-stitosterol is known to block the production of 5AR, thereby reducing and eliminating pain and discomfort.

A number of large-scale clinical studies have been undertaken proving beta-sitosterols's efficacy and safety. One study, conducted by German researcher Dr. R. Berges and his associates, focused on 200 patients with BPH. The men were given either 20 mg of beta-sitosterol three times a day or an inactive placebo pill. After six months, Dr. Berges and his team evaluated BPH symptoms in both groups of volunteers. The men taking beta-sitosterol were found to have an improved urinary flow rate. Other BPH symptoms, as measured by the International Prostate Symptoms Score, were also significantly improved.* 

Dr. Berges performed a follow-up to the above study in 2000 to determine the long-term effects of beta-sitosterol on prostate function. Of the original 200 study participants, 117 were eligible for participation in the follow-up trial. Dr. Berges found that the men who continued with the beta-sitosterol therapy for the 18-month period between the two trials maintained all of their original prostate benefits; men from the placebo group who chose to try the beta-sitosterol treatment after the original study had improved to the same level as the original treatment group after the follow-up period. Dr. Berges also found that of the men who took beta-sitosterol, only 1.5 percent had to resort to surgery to eliminate their symptoms as opposed to 6 percent of the placebo group.*

A more recent study, conducted this year by the Cochrane Library, reviewed four clinical trials involving a total of 519 men with mild to moderate BPH symptoms. The trial durations ranged from four to 26 weeks. The review team found that beta-sitosterol was successful in treating symptoms such as reduced urinary flow and frequent nighttime urination. Beta-sitosterol was also found to be extremely safe.*

Saw Palmetto: The Plant Catheter 

Native Americans have traditionally used the fruit from the saw palmetto plant to alleviate and treat urinary difficulties. Saw palmetto has earned the nickname "plant catheter" due to its bladder and prostate soothing qualities. Recent research has supported the herb's traditional usage and, in fact, Germany's Commission E (similar to the U.S.'s Food and Drug Administration) endorses the herb's efficacy in the treatment of BPH symptoms. Saw palmetto is such a safe and effective BPH treatment that it has become one of Europe's most prescribed and used over-the-counter preparations.*

For men, saw palmetto treats an enlarged and weakened prostate gland and clinical research has substantiated its use in cases of prostate enlargement. Its mechanism of action, like beta-sitosterol (a key component of saw palmetto), has been reported to be its ability to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DTH), a major factor in the onset of prostate enlargement. Saw palmetto is chiefly used as a diuretic and to tone the bladder by improving urinary flow, and relieving strain. Regular use of saw palmetto may decrease urinary frequency, especially during the night, by allowing complete bladder expulsion and reducing inflammation of the bladder and an enlarged prostate.*

Several studies have shown that men taking saw palmetto supplements had the same effects as the men who were given the prescription drug finasteride. Researchers point out, however, that saw palmetto was associated with significantly fewer adverse side effects than the drug. In fact, men reported few, if any, serious side effects from taking saw palmetto supplements.* 

As mentioned earlier, one of saw palmetto's main ingredients, beta-sitosterol, has been shown to be a strong prostate protector on its own. See above for more information on this amazing nutrient.*

Stinging Nettle:  The Natural Anti-inflammatory

Stinging nettle has been used for centuries by traditional herbal healers as a remedy for urinary problems, allergies, joint pain, and other conditions.  The herb has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. *

There are over 20 clinical studies showing that stinging nettle, alone and in combination with other herbs such as saw palmetto (discussed above),  can greatly reduce the severity of BPH symptoms. Its effectiveness appears to be two-pronged. First, the anti-inflammatory actions of stinging nettle help to reduce swelling and inflammation of the prostate.  Secondly, nettle appears to block the activity of hormones and growth factors that trigger prostate growth. *

A large study in Germany compared the effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing stinging nettle with the popular BPH drug, finasteride.  Like finasteride, nettle blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT, the super potent form of testosterone that fuels prostate growth.  The study found that the symptomatic improvement in the two groups was comparable, but there was a much lower incidence of side effects in the group treated with stinging nettle. In particular, the researchers noted that fewer cases of diminished ejaculation volume, E.D.,and headache among nettle users. Another study tested the effects of nettle combined with pygeum (discussed below) and noted a remarkable reduction in frequent nighttime urination. * 

Lycopene: Chemical in Tomatoes May Help Ward Off Cancer

Preliminary research suggests that something as simple as eating a dish of pasta with red sauce each day may help reduce damage to prostate cells in men with prostate cancer. Researchers found that men who consumed one daily pasta dish with tomato sauce for three weeks had lower levels of DNA damage in prostate tissues and cells. Pasta eaters also had lower levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein in the blood that is measured to assess a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. Remember, however, that lycopene should not be considered a cure for prostate cancer. Research has found a connection between higher levels of dietary lycopene and a reduced risk of developing the cancer.* If you are concerned about prostate cancer you should schedule an appointment with your doctor without delay.

The antioxidant lycopene, found abundantly in tomatoes, is likely responsible for these actions, according to researchers. Other studies have found a correlation between a high intake of lycopene and a lower risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene works by helping to reduce the damage caused by free radicals, renegade oxygen molecules that are byproducts of metabolism leading to aging and disease. *

Lycopene is also found in pink grapefruit, watermelon and guava; however, tomatoes and tomato-based products such as ketchup, are the best source. Like the better-known supplement beta-carotene, lycopene belongs to the family of chemicals known as carotenoids. As an antioxidant, lycopene is about twice as powerful as beta-carotene.*

Pygeum Bark: France's Answer to BPH 

Even though saw palmetto is the first choice for long-term treatment of BPH, there are a number of other plant-derived therapies that are well researched and have good science behind them. One is Pygeum africanus, a very tall evergreen tree found in central and southern Africa. Area natives used this tree for centuries to treat bladder pain and urinary problems, mixing a dust-like powder from its bark with milk.*

In France, pygeum supplements have become the accepted course of treatment for alleviating BPH symptoms. In contrast, other Western countries are quick to turn to surgery. However, as mentioned earlier, surgery poses some very serious risks to a man's health and well-being. Pygeum offers a natural alternative that safely soothes prostate inflammation and offers significant relief from BPH symptoms without the serious side effects associated with conventional medical treatments.* 

Pygeum has been studied almost as well as saw palmetto, and in some respects its research record is even better. At least nine double-blind trials of pygeum vs. placebo have been performed, involving a total of over 600 participants, and ranging in length from 45 to 60 days. The largest study of pygeum enrolled 263 men who were given 100 mg of pygeum bark extract daily for 60 days. Researchers found that pygeum produced significant relief of BPH symptoms including pain with urination, frequency, nighttime urination, flow rate and urinary volume.

Vitamins and Minerals: A Prostate Health Cocktail

The prostate contains a higher concentration of zinc than any other organ in the body. Studies show that men with prostate enlargement have low levels of zinc in their prostatic fluids. The mineral has also been used to prevent prostate enlargement and to shrink an already enlarged gland.

Researchers have long known that vitamin E may help protect you from developing prostate cancer. Now, recent research brings the medical community a step closer to discovering how the antioxidant vitamin works to guard the prostate against the disease. Study results reveal that vitamin E inhibits the production of two cancer-causing proteins - androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific androgen (PSA). * 

Researchers believe that suppressing the production of AR is especially useful in helping to prevent prostate cancer because the protein activates other genes that can develop into cancerous growths. Current treatment protocols do not prevent the activation of AR and, therefore, have no long-term benefits. They are also associated with serious side effects in other parts of the body.

Soy Isoflavones 

As with other cancers, hormones such as estrogen and testosterone may stimulate the growth of prostate cancer. Although estrogen works in different ways in men, it can be equally destructive. Estrogen, being a precursor to androgens, the male hormones, can trigger the production of testosterone, and studies have shown than men with prostate cancer seem to have higher levels of testosterone than their cancer-free counterparts.*

Traditional living Japanese men and vegetarians have a lower incidence of prostate enlargement and low mortality from prostate cancer. This is thought to be due to the relatively high levels of phytoestrogens in the diet. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds, which predominate in soybeans and soy products like tofu, miso and tempeh, flaxseeds, legumes, whole grains and vegetables. Phytoestrogens contain isoflavones, which have a mild estrogenic effect on the body. Isoflavones may protect the prostate by occupying the estrogen receptor sites, which would normally be occupied by more potent estrogens of natural or synthetic origin.*

A twenty-year study of 8,000 men of Japanese ancestry, living in Hawaii, showed that those who consumed tofu once a week or less were three times as likely to get prostate cancer as those men who consumed tofu daily. It is interesting to note that Japanese men on average eat between 40 to 70 milligrams of genistein, a naturally occurring estrogen, per day, compared with men on Western diets who consume in the region of one to three milligrams or less. Another large study conducted on Adventist men, who have a high consumption of beans, lentils, peas and some dried fruits, which are all dietary sources of flavonoids, showed they also have a much lower risk of prostate cancer. * 

Again, soy should not be considered a treatment for already existing cancer. If you are concerned about prostate cancer, be sure to have your doctor perform a thorough exam as soon as possible.

Another Option

Another supplement you might want to consider adding to your daily regimen is pumpkin seed. Seeds of the fruit have been used for hundreds of years by aboriginal peoples to treat reduced urine flow. Recent studies confirm these traditional practices, showing that the nutrient helps bring much-needed relief to sufferers of BPH. In fact, Germany's Commission E has approved pumpkin seed for this use.

What To Eat For A Healthy Prostate

Studies have shown some correlations between diet and prostate health. Diets that are high in meat and/or fat can increase your risk of prostate cancer by up to two and a half times. Nutritional experts believe that the type of fat that you eat may be even more important than the amount of fat.  Men who eat a lot of meat are consuming a lot of saturated fat.  These types of fats fuel the production of hormones that can feed prostate growth.  Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, tend to have a balancing effect on hormones. Increasing fiber intake also helps to balance hormone levels.*

For a healthy prostate:

· Eat meat only once or twice a week and switch to low-fat dairy products, to reduce your intake of saturated fat.

· Cut out fatty foods such as chips and other fried foods. They contain unhealthy trans-fatty acids (which are even more damaging than saturated fats.

· Avoid mayonnaise, margarine, and salad dressings which contain trans fatty acids, and use olive oil instead.

· Enjoy heart healthy fats such as those in avocados, olive oil, and nuts, but keep your total fat intake to moderate levels.

· Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables a day, to increase your intake of fiber and antioxidants.

· Eat tomatoes or tomato products (tomato sauce, juice, salsa, etc.) daily.

· Increase fiber by eating more whole grains and eliminating products made with refined white flour (such as white breads, crackers, cookies, and pastas). Take a daily fiber supplement such as psyllium husk Metamucil) to ensure a fiber intake of 25 grams a day.

Click here to learn about an exciting new discovery in prostate health.

* These statements have not been reviewed or evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.