As a Friend:

Your prostate gland is a vital component in your reproductive system, located immediately below the bladder, wrapped around the urinary tract. The prostate provides a secretion to the seminal fluid liquefying the coagulated semen, in order to provide strong and effective fertility. This secretion, which comprises of acid phosphatase, citric acid and proteolytic enzymes increases greatly during sexual stimulation.

As a Foe:

Unfortunately, an enlarged prostate, known as BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia, has become the most common debilitating experience among men with the incidence increasing with age. At age 30 around 10% are diagnosed, at age 50 it reaches 40%, and peaking at 90% for those attaining 85 years. This is not the incidence of prostate cancer, which averages just 3% of all those men tested with a prostate problem.

When the prostate enlarges it restricts the urethra, the bladder outlet, causing increased frequency and urgency, restricting the flow, reducing the force, and those necessary nightly trips to the bathroom.

In some cases BPH may exhibit mild or even no symptoms, so it is important to have regular checkups from the age of 40 onward so as to be able to take preventative measures, but it is sensible for all men to be aware of their dietary intake avoiding those items known to irritate the prostate gland. The chemical changes that lead to BPH, (we are what we eat), are easy to determine but are factors often overlooked in the hurly-burly of life.

Dietary guidance is given below.

Why does it happen:

Our levels of free testosterone decrease with age, whilst other hormones such as prolactin, estradiol, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone all increase. An enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts the free testosterone into a potent androgen named DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Your body's ability to metabolise free testosterone is thereby inhibited by elevated estrogen levels. Ultimately the prostate hormone receptors take in DHT rather than free testosterone. This then results in prostate enlargement and inflammation.

Ah well, that's the science over with.

What you can do:

A variety of factors can be responsible for the changes that produce prostate enlargement but mostly it comes down to lifestyle choices. Eliminate substances known to irritate the prostate such as alcohol, tobacco, coffee and chocolate, sorry, but all are known as triggers for BPH. Overeating and snacking between meals is another prostate no-no, as is dehydration. Drink plenty of water!

Increase exercise, a study involving 30,634 men found that physically active men had a lower risk of BPH compared to sedentary men, those that walked 2 to 3 hours per week had a 25% lower risk of BPH.

Nutritional deficiency is a big factor in BPH. A lack of zinc, copper, selenium, folic acid, iodine and omega-3-fatty-acids in the diet will all contribute to the problem. Also a high carbohydrate diet stimulates the production of 5-alpha-reductase (remember him?) leading to BPH.

Refined, processed and sweet foods all deplete the body of essential nutrients.

The sleep hormone, melatonin, inhibits the growth of non-viable prostate cells but is produced only in natural sleep before midnight and in total darkness. (Weird)

Violating the basic laws of health all tend to produce acid stress, which leads to chronic inflammation, so therefore any treatment plan for BPH must address the acid problem. Acid stress is also a result of relationship problems, breakups, and a lack of emotional and sexual fulfillment in marriage.

Basic diet guide:

The following foods and supplements should keep your prostate in tip-top condition.

•Maintain good intestinal bacteria with cultured foods such as sauerkraut, yoghurt.

•Always use lemons or limes wherever possible.

•Eat pumpkin seeds. An excellent source of zinc and phosphorus.

•Eat oily fish such as salmon, sardines, etc, or take fish oil capsules.

•Minerals - broad spectrum mineral salts with folic acid.

•Melatonin tablet on going to bed.

•Finally, go Italian. Stew tomatoes with onions and garlic, with tomato paste to thicken, then add olive oil and a pinch of salt. Eat with anything and everything This provides lycopenes and sulphur compounds which your prostate needs and it will thank you profusely.



This article is for educational and information purposes only. Should you have any concerns about your health always consult your medical practitioner