How to keep your prostate healthy.

It has become one of those edicts of society that as men grow older they are going to have prostate problems. Benign Enlargement of the Prostate (called BPH or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) is one of the most common medical diagnosis in men over the age of 50. Studies show that almost half of men between the ages of 51 – 60 have enlargement of the prostate and at age 80 it goes up to 80%!

But can this condition be prevented and even treated without going through traumatic surgery?
Interestingly epidemiological studies suggest people with higher educational backgrounds and those not engaged in active physical activity were much more likely to develop the cancer.

There is much talk in the medical community about testosterone and other male hormones triggering BPH. It is true that in the absence of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (the active form of testosterone) the prostate cannot physically get enlarged. However these hormones do so much good in the body that we look for more holistic treatments for BPH rather than just try to shut down this hormone . Now studies are actually beginning to show that the effects of the male hormones may actually be a bell shaped curve with both too much and too little causing enlargement of the prostate. This would explain why testosterone replacement can actually help BPH. And there is data showing men who have the lowest levels of testosterone have higher risks of BPH. Estrogens (the female hormone that males also carry) have been linked to both BPH and Prostate Cancer. However a careful evaluation of the medical literature shows conflicting reports.

Saw Palmetto is the most widely used herb to treat BPH. However there are some basic nutrients that can help the situation. Almost seven decades ago the Lee Foundation for nutritional research published a study using the essential fatty acids alpha linolenic acid , linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. After several weeks, all 19 men had a reduction in the size of the prostate, an increased strength of urine flow and a decrease in the amount of urine left in the bladder. (Urine tends to accumulate in the bladder when there is an obstruction to the outflow as happens in BPH.) Other studies put patients on zinc orally and found an improvement in BPH symptoms. Saw Palmetto in numerous studies has been found to be as effective as some drugs in the treatment of BPH. What is common between all these supplements is that they dampen the activity of an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. High levels of 5 alpha reductase has been shown to be one major contributing factor for benign enlargement of the prostate. The flip side is that studies have shown that decreasing the level of 5 alpha reductase too much can decrease overall incidence of prostate cancer, but the proportion of aggressive cancers increase.

Which brings us to the general theory of everything in balance. Supplements too, like medications have to be used in balance, in the correct doses: or else can lead to side effects down the line. While there are many natural nutrients and supplements that help the prostate, they have to be used in the right doses for you. Do not attempt to take these without the guidance of a physician who has experience in the use of these substances.

One anecdotal therapy that has come out for the treatment of BPH is the use of lymphatic drainage therapy. While I am not aware of any studies documenting this, it makes sound physiological sense that facilitating drainage of lymph flow will help release toxins accumulated in the prostate.

Most exciting is the emerging knowledge that a healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity strongly decrease one’s risk of developing prostate problems. One reason physical activity seems to help is that it balances the part of the nervous system called the Autonomic nervous System. It appears that no matter what the disease, the solution comes back to living a health life!

Tagged as: benign prostatic hypertrophy, BPH natural treatments prostate health exercise t alexander, holistic treatments, male hormones

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