Mens' Health: the Prostate Gland and Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
The prostate is a walnut sized gland that lies below the male bladder. It secretes fluid during ejaculation. Statistics vary somewhat, but by age fifty, about 30 per cent of men have some symptoms of prostate enlargement known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). By age sixty the figure jumps to 50 per cent, and to 80 per cent by age seventy. Symptoms relate to the position of the prostate: surrounding the urethra, at the base of the bladder. Enlargement of the prostate can increase the frequency of urination. Having to get up at night one or more times to urinate can be an early sign. As well, decreased force of urine stream, and problems starting and stopping the flow are common symptoms.
Over the age of forty, men should have a prostate exam once per year. While this can detect BPH, it is also a screening exam for early detection of prostate cancer. If you develop increased frequency of urination, or other difficulties with urination, have your prostate checked. If your health care provider finds anything unusual, they may recommend further screening, as symptoms, while typically benign, can be warning signs for other conditions such as prostate inflammation, or even prostate cancer.
A number of factors influence the development of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Factors in the development of BPH may include prostaglandin deficiency, heavy metal toxicity, increased activity of 5 alpha reductase enzyme, and decreased sensitivity of prostate cells to 5 hydroxy testosterone. Nutrition is very important both in development and treatment of BPH. Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and high fat foods should be avoided. High carbohydrate diets can also be a factor. Keep pollutants, pesticides and chemicals out of your diet as much as possible: eat organic. Keeping your sugar intake to a minimum also decreases prostate cancer risk. If you have high cholesterol, this should be treated as well, as there is a relationship to BPH. Consult your Naturopathic Physician for more information.
Zinc is an important nutrient for prostate health, and supplementation is beneficial. Pumpkin seeds are both high in zinc, and in essential fatty acids, which are also important, although you would need to eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup raw every day. Both omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids are necessary for prostate health. Food sources include deep sea salt water fish such as salmon, cod, mackeral and herring, as well as raw nuts, seeds and their oils, such as primrose, flax, sunflower, walnut, borage and pumpkin. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium are antioxidants and cofactors for prostate health. Tomatoes contain lycopenes, which are good for the prostate and reduce risk of prostate cancer.
Botanicals include saw palmetto, and pygeum africanus. The two herbs have been shown to decrease symptoms in clinical trials. The newest plant based treatment consists of amino acids and phytosterols derived from pollens. This product, new to North America from Germany and Japan, is well studied and tested, and appears to be better even than saw palmetto and pygeum, both of which are effective.
Regular ejaculation encourages good circulation in the prostate, and releases fluids so that they do not build up.
Copyright 2000 Dr. Isis van Loon.