It's a Guy Thing


A guide to prostate health

The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra. Its major function in life is to contribute to seminal fluid. If it enlarges or swells, it can put pressure on the urethra, acting a bit like a clamp—this condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Half of all fifty-year-old men have BPH. A man with BPH has to urinate more often and experiences less force and caliber while urinating, often dribbling. If the prostate enlarges too much, urination is difficult or impossible and there is an increased risk of urinary tract infection and kidney damage. The name benign prostatic hyperplasia has replaced the older terminology benign prostatic hypertrophy; they refer to the same condition.
Most medical textbooks and doctors will advise surgery for men with BPH serious enough to cause obstruction. The prognosis for these surgeries is quite good.

Dietary Changes that may be helpful: Eat eight to nine servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Research has confirmed this to be the most beneficial dietary change, in regards to overall health. Health benefits in all systems will be felt. Heart disease, blood pressure disorders, kidney dysfunction and even arthritic changes will see vast improvements using this one basic dietary enhancement. The added trace minerals, fiber and enzymes cannot be replenished with supplements alone, so dietary enhancements, such as adding these extra portions of fruits and vegetables can improve all biological functions. So eat all the fruits and vegetables you desire.
Saturated fats should be avoided. Avoid hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. These contribute heavily to free radicals by their altered structure. They are difficult to break down by normal digestion because of the additional hydrogen atom attached to the fatty acids and become undigested food particles floating in the arteries and can also contribute to a weakened prostate gland. These trans-fatty acids or free radicals can be prevented by reading labels and avoiding such foods as margarine, homogenized peanut butter, prepared cake mixes, frostings and some canned goods.
Be selective about cooked fats found in red meats, avoid when possible and limit servings to two or three times a week. Poultry is a good substitute for fat laden red meats. Avoid all processed or luncheon meats. Their fat content is high and they also carry large amounts of sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite.


Avoid fried or deep fried food in oils or fat. Again, the free radical content is high and will contribute to undesired inflammation. Yes, this includes French fires! Of course, baking, broiling and boiling are good substitutes. Even wok cooking, with soy or very light oil, is a good substitute.
Essential fatty acids are necessary. Simply, essential fatty acids are basic fats, which the body cannot manufacture and needs to be obtained through diet. Omega 6 oils are found in nuts, seeds and legumes and omega 3 oils are found in fish and certain vegetables, such as Canola and flaxseed. These oils will be supplemented to assure basic requirements and are vital for proper prostate function.
Avoid processed carbohydrates as much as possible. Use whole grain breads, cereals, etc. Whole grain products contain needed fiber, vitamins and trace minerals, not found in processed grains. Health food stores, specialty bakeries, and in most grocery stores, prepared breads and desserts made with whole grains are available.
Processed sugars may also cause undesired symptoms. First rule concerning any sugar, is some self restraint. When sweetening foods try using honey, molasses or fruit concentrates. When cooking or using dessert recipes, it does not matter as much, but if using honey or molasses, some adjustment in the dry ingredients needs to be made. Again, health food sections in grocery stores, health food stores and specialty bakeries do a fine job of using natural sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Eat at least three or more servings of fish per week. This will help assure an adequate supply of the omega 3 fatty acids and is the easiest form of animal protein to be digested. Poultry is also a good source of protein and can be eaten as often as desired. Of course, white meats are preferred, because of less animal fat content. Legumes, such as beans, peas, nuts and seeds, are also great sources of protein, and can be also consumed without limitation. Soy protein is a common meat substitute, and can be found in many health drinks and protein powders. They are good, but if gas or bloating occur, they may not be agreeable, because of their high density and difficulty in digesting.


Hydration
Believe it or not, a dysfunctional prostrate gland is poorly hydrated. It is now becoming obvious that as the years role by our thirst for water becomes chronically and increasingly less sensitive and a state of dehydration exist. In fact as we age, the water content of the cells of the body decreases to the point that the ratio of the volume of body water that is inside the cells to that which is outside the cells changes from a ratio of 1:1 to 1:0.8. This is a drastic alteration from normal. Since the water we drink provides for cell function and its volume requirements, the apparent decrease in daily water intake affects the efficiency of cell activity. As a direct result of drinking less, chronic dehydration causes loss of cellular function and corresponding organs and glands, like the prostate, become more prone to disease and dysfunction. So instead of medication, water for proper hydration can be the proper source of aid. In fact, water or proper hydration habits is the most significant factor in restoration of prostate health.
So, more than the usual attention needs to be placed on proper hydration for a healthy well functioning prostate, void of enlargement or inflammation. This is easily accomplished by increasing water intake. It is a slow process and generally takes 4 to 7 days before there is a noticeable effect. How much water? Eight to ten, 8oz. glasses a day, every day, that is a bare minimum. Other fluids may also be added, such as unsweetened soft drinks, teas, and limited amounts of coffee. Any alcoholic beverage will dehydrate, not hydrate, so will not contribute to daily fluid intake.
Coffee should be decaffeinated or limited to two cups of caffeinated coffee a day. Alcoholic beverages need also to be limited, to no more than two daily. Sweetened soft drinks, those with added sugar, need also be limited to two daily, and artificially sweetened soft drinks, are not limited, but caution should be applied, as carbonation creates too much phosphorus, which can interfere with proper calcium absorption. Also many soft drinks contain caffeine and should be limited. (Therefore, no more than two caffeinated beverages - coffee, tea, soft drinks - per day.) Juice is also a good source of fluids, but may provide too much sugar in your diet.
Special note: Please do not restrict diet to be uncomfortable. Soups, stews, ethnic foods can all be enjoyed at home or eating out. Just use wholesome ingredients and flavorful spices with foods prepared at home. Watch fat content, as high content can cause undesired health problems. It is generally regarded as safe to consume 15% to 25% of total caloric intake, in the form of fat, or about 20 grams in a typical 2,000 to 2,500 caloric diet. Check labels and get a fat counter booklet if in doubt.


Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: In 1941, Dr. William Cooper and James Hart wrote about using flaxseed oil in the treatment of BPH. In this study, nineteen men were given 2,000 mg of flaxseed oil per day. The dose was given for three days and then reduced to 1,300 mg per day for several weeks. After that time, a maintenance dose of less then 1,000 mg was used. All patients began retaining less urine; 63% had no residual urine at the conclusion of the testing. Night time urination problems stopped in 68%. All patients noted less fatigue and leg pain along with an increase in sexual libido. Dribbling was eliminated in 95% of the cases. Urine stream was more forceful and the size of the prostate was reduced. Unfortunately, there has been no recent follow-up to this preliminary research.
Other researchers have noticed that the portion of the seminal fluid for which the prostate is responsible is high in the mineral zinc. In a study of nineteen males, those with BPH had normal levels of zinc in the blood, which did not increase when zinc supplements were given. However, their semen zinc levels increased.
This group was given 150 mg of zinc for two months which was then dropped to 50-100 mg. In fourteen of the nineteen men (74%), the prostate shrunk in size. Unfortunately, this study was never published, and there is no other study using men as subjects. This was verified by rectal palpation, X-ray, and endoscopy. Animal studies have confirmed this finding, but only using locally injected zinc. While the research supporting zinc is therefore very weak, some doctors of natural medicine nonetheless recommend its use.
Because zinc competes with copper for absorption, when recommending this amount of zinc most nutritionally oriented doctors suggest also taking at least 2 or 3 mg of copper.
Anti-oxidants have shown to have a beneficial effect on the prostate. Vitamins C and E are excellent anti-oxidants. In addition lycopene, found in tomatoes, has been found to be an excellent anti-oxidant in the prostate gland. Green tea polyphenols also provide a beneficial anti-oxidant effect, but drinking green tea as a source of these polyphenols must be limited due to the caffeine. One alternative would be the use of Green Tea, which provides the equivalent of four cups of green tea in a capsule, without the caffeine.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Toxicity has not been reported with regard to flaxseed. Zinc intake in excess of 300 mg per day may impair immune function. Although the preliminary research is contradictory, patients with Alzheimer's disease should avoid zinc supplements until further studies clarify the role of zinc in this disease. Zinc inhibits copper absorption, which can lead to anemia and lower levels of HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol). Copper intake should be increased if zinc supplementation continues for more than a few days (except for individuals with Wilson's disease). Many zinc supplements, to prevent copper inhibition, include copper in the formulation.
Zinc competes for absorption with iron, calcium, and magnesium. A multi-mineral supplement will prevent mineral imbalances that can result from taking high doses of zinc for extended periods of time.


Herbal Supplements

Herbs that may be helpful: In Europe, herbal supplements have become one of the leading methods for managing early stages of BPH. Successful treatment of BPH is an ongoing process. Men with BPH will probably need to take one or a combination of these herbs indefinitely. Any nutritional support for BPH should be done after consulting a doctor.
The fat-soluble extract of the saw palmetto berry has become the leading natural treatment for BPH. This extract, when used regularly, has been shown to help keep symptoms in check. Saw palmetto may inhibit 5-alpha- reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to its more active form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Saw palmetto also blocks DHT from binding in the prostate.
Since saw palmetto reduces levels of 5-alpha-reductase, an additional benefit of this herb may be reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. While no tests have been done to how that reducing this enzyme's activity will reduce prostate cancer risk, lower levels of this enzyme are detected in men in countries with lower incidence of prostate cancer.
An extract from the bark of the African tree Pygeum africanum has also been used for BPH. Approved for