(0 Items) your shopping cart
Home > PROSTATE HEALTH: NOT JUST AN OLD MAN’S CONCERN ANYMORE |
PROSTATE HEALTH: NOT JUST AN OLD MAN’S CONCERN ANYMORE
by Dave Foreman
It amazes me how many men I meet don’t know much about their prostate. It seems that the only men who do are those who have a problem with it. Iwould also guess that themajority of people don’t knowhowto spell it either (most spell it “prostrate”, which is a position to be in – not the gland found in men.) Then let’s say that you are good at spelling and know what it does, many don’t know where it is located. Don’t be upset or embarrassed if you fall into any of these groups–you are in the minority if you know the info above. Prostate 101
The prostate gland is a small, walnut-shaped organ that lies just below aman's bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine fromthe bladder out of the body through the penis. The prostate gland produces most of the fluid in semen. There are three basic conditions that can occur with regard to prostate health: BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), prostatitis and prostate cancer. Let’s take a quick look at each condition. BPH
BPH is also known as an enlarged prostate. If the prostate gland grows too much, it can block or compress the urethra and make it difficult to urinate. This enlargement can trigger symptoms such as: • Frequent urination As we age, the incidence of BPH increases: • 31-40yrs 1 in 12 Currently, there is no known link between having BPH and developing prostate cancer. Prostatitis
Prostatitis is defined as an inflammation of the prostate. This inflammation is often caused by bacteria, and is hardly ever considered a serious infection. It typically occurs in young to middle aged men, and only about 10 percent of men will experience prostatitis in their lifetime. Many men confuse this condition with BPH due to some overlap in the symptoms, which include: • Fever Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, but usually goes unnoticed because it often has no symptoms. Currently it is estimated that one out of six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Just like BPH, thechance of developing prostate cancer increases with age. Race and heredity also play a role in your risk for developing prostate cancer: African Americans are more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasians, and having a family history of prostate cancer increases your chances of How do I address my prostate health?
This is a great question. Whether you already have a prostate problem or are trying to prevent one, I believe the approach should be the same: address the root cause(s) and the body will fix itself. The three main “causes” of prostate health problems are: • Hormone imbalances Start with diet
Dietary changes can have a huge impact on your overall prostate health. I recommend the following: • Decrease the consumption of red meat In combination with these adjustments to your Hormonal support
Probably the most popular supplement for prostate health is saw palmetto. There is a ton of research on this amazing herb, proving its effectiveness at helping reduce the symptoms of BPH. One of the main benefits of saw palmetto is that it inhibits the formation of DHT, a powerful hormone linked to stimulating the growth of prostate cells. Saw palmetto also blocks DHT from binding to prostate cells, and relaxes themuscles of the prostate and bladder. This relaxation effect helps improve urine flow. Research shows us that men should use 320mg of saw palmetto extract daily to achieve the desired results. Combining this fantastic herb with other supplements like pumpkin seed oil and stinging nettle root can help improve your results. Beta-sitosterol is another outstanding supplement for prostate health support. It has shown to improve urinary flow and suppress some of the symptoms associated with BPH. Taking between 60mg and 130mg per day will often do the trick in three to six months for most men. Rye pollen extract is an additional supplement that is often overlooked. It not only has properties that help with BPH, but can also be helpful for those with prostatitis or cancer concerns. Don’t confuse this ingredient with bee pollen. Rye pollen is harvested from the plant itself and then washed thoroughly to remove the hard exterior of the pollen molecule. This then releases the inner nutrients to be utilized by the body. You will usually find rye pollen used in combination with other ingredients. Antioxidant support Free radical damage is linked to most of the major health challenges we face. Free radicals come from the environment (air, water, foods) and are manufactured by the body as a part of normal metabolism. Unless we take active steps to neutralize free radicals, we increase our chances of developing a number of conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and prostate health issues. Here is a list of the more popular antioxidant supplements that support prostate health: • Lycopene Even if you don’t suffer from prostate health issues, once you are a male over the age of 40, you should use an antioxidant that contains at least a few of these key nutrients. I use Antioxidant Cocktail II (Vitamin Shoppe Brand) and just recently realized that I had myself covered (I am 44). Inflammation support
If inflammation is your issue (inflammation is an underlying cause of all three major prostate conditions) then it is a good idea to look for a supplement that fights inflammation. Some of the nutrients already mentioned may help with this situation either directly or indirectly. If you feel like you need to go a step further, and then look at supplements that contain any one or a combination of these nutrients: • Nettle Lastly, if you are on a limited budget or would just like to simplify things, do what I recently started doing and use Prostate 5LX by New Chapter. In my humble opinion, this is the closest you can come to a “catch all” supplement for prostate health concerns. It takes a multifaceted approach to prostate health by hitting all three areas of concern: Hormonal, Antioxidant and Inflammation. |
