PROSTATE PROBLEMS

THE PROSTATE is the source of most problems with the male genitourinary system. Nearly every man over tile age of forty-five will have some enlargement of tile prostate, which is a result of hormonal changes and is a normal part of tile aging process. Most prostate enlargements don’t become really troublesome until a man reaches the age of sixty. Surgery is one route to take with a problem prostate but there are natural means that can be used to control its enlargement and perhaps avoid surgery altogether.

The prostate is a walnut-sized organ situated at the neck of the bladder. It provides the fluid that carries sperm. If the prostate becomes enlarged it can press against the urethral canal and thus interfere with urination. Most men experience this as a more frequent need to urinate, especially at night, as well as pain and burning upon urination and difficulty in starting and stopping. Most men look upon this enlargement of the prostate and the accompanying symptoms as a nuisance. But any symptoms of difficulty in urination should be investigated by a urologist because, while most enlargements of the prostate are mainly a nuisance, there could be a possibility of infection or even cancer. I therefore suggest that if you have burning or difficult urination, you consult a urologist. The urologist will give you a diagnosis and, using a gloved finger, will massage the prostate. In a case of simple prostate enlargement, this often brings temporary relief.

Once you know that your problem is a simple inflammation or enlargement (called benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH), you still should not ignore it. The ultimate treatment for severely enlarged prostate is surgery. Whereas most men are able to avoid this, they continue to live with discomfort for years. Although you certainly can live a relatively healthy life with BPH, you can also develop kidney infections or damage as the urine backs up in the kidneys due to the blockage of tile enlarged prostate. Bladder infections are also likely to occur.

Natural treatments for prostate problems have been very helpful in relieving the symptoms, and reducing the enlargement. One of my patients, who reduced his prostate with supplements, told me that he no longer has to get up three or four times a night to urinate. Perhaps his success with supplements will help him avoid future prostate cancer; in any case, he’s far more comfortable right now and sleeping better, too.

The first line of defense is to maintain low cholesterol levels by avoiding a high-fat diet. It seems that the amount of fat, particularly saturated fat, in the diet affects hormone levels, which in turn cause prostate problems. Of course many men are watching their cholesterol levels these days; this is all to the good in controlling an enlarged prostate.

The mineral zinc is the backbone of my treatment for men with prostate problems. Men with BPH have low levels of zinc in prostatic fluids, and supplementation can raise these levels and reduce the enlargement. In one study, fourteen out of nineteen patients treated with zinc supplements had shrinkage of the prostate after two months.

Essential fatty acids are also helpful in relieving an enlarged prostate. Researchers postulate that essential fatty acids work by influencing prostaglandin production; prostaglandin deficiency may be a cause of BPH. The best common sources of essential fatty acids are flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, and soy oil.

There is a botanical that has given my patients relief and many studies have found it clinically effective for relieving BPH. It’s called Serenod repem or, more commonly, saw palmetto. Taken in extract form, it relieves prostate irritation. You can get saw palmetto in health food stores.

It’s important to limit the amount of alcohol you consume, particularly beer. One of the hormones that contribute to prostate problems is increased by the consumption of beer and other alcoholic drinks.

Sometimes there is a connection between hidden food sensitivities and prostate problems. If the prostate doesn’t seem to be inflamed, frequent urination could be caused by a food. If you find that you have frequent urination on some nights but on other nights you’re not having a problem, it could be that something you’re eating is the cause (in many cases, spicy foods are the culprits). You have to pay attention to what you eat the day or night before you experience frequent urination. For more information on this see Food Allergy. Finally, some men who develop BPH young in life, and even some older men, are suffering ill part from years of ineffective voiding technique. Many men rush to relieve themselves, only partly emptying their bladder and never fully relaxing the muscles in the pelvic floor. To help prevent BPH and to relieve its progression, it’s important to void whenever you feel the urge; if at all possible, don’t hold it. In addition and most important, you should fully relax the muscles in the pelvic floor when voiding and keep them relaxed until the bladder is empty.

NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR PROSTATE PROBLEMS:

• Follow a low-fat diet and try to keep your cholesterol below 220,
• Avoid margarine, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and fried foods, as they can interfere with prostaglandin metabolism.
• Cut down on alcohol consumption, particularly beer,
• If your frequent urination is irregular, you could be reacting to a particular food. Look to the food allergy section of this website for more information on this.
• Be sure you void properly. Go when you feel the urge, fully relax the muscles in the pelvic floor; empty your bladder completely.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:

• Flaxseed oil: one to two teaspoons per day of cold pressed flaxseed oil for several months. In addition, add sunflower oil or soy oil to your diet.
• Vitamin E: 400 mg. Daily.
• Zinc: 60 mg. Daily.
• The botanical Sereona repens (saw palmetto) in doses of 160 mg. Twice daily. You can find it in health food stores.

TAKE ALL SUPPLEMENTS FOR SIX MONTHS. STOP IF YOU SEE NO RESULTS.