Protect Your Prostate - Wakunaga of America

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Protect Your Prostate

If a man lives long enough, he will likely experience an enlarged prostate—technically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is so prevalent that it occurs in about half of men age 50 and in 80 percent of men over 80.1 But age isn’t the only risk factor for BPH. You’re also more prone to developing this condition if you have a family history of BPH, smoke, are sedentary and/or obese, or suffer from cardiovascular problems, erectile dysfunction, or type 2 diabetes. 2

What is Your Prostate?

Your prostate is a tiny gland, about the size of a walnut that sits between the bladder and the base of the penis. It wraps around the urethra just like a collar. In fact, a portion of the urethra passes through the prostate and carries prostate fluid, semen, and urine out of the body. 3

As part of a man’s reproductive system, the prostate produces seminal fluid that, together with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, makes up semen. During sex, the muscles in the prostate help transport prostate fluid and semen into the urethra, where it is forcefully expelled during ejaculation.4 So, even though the prostate gland is small, it plays a large role in a man’s reproductive health.

Spotting an Enlarged Prostate

From the age of 10, your prostate experiences a rapid and normal growth spurt thanks to an increase in testosterone production. Things then settle down once you reach age 30. But when you hit your 50s, the prostate begins to increase in size, potentially setting you up for BPH.5

BPH develops when the prostate grows large enough to compress the urethra and trigger an assortment of urinary problems.6 These include:

  • A sudden strong urge to urinate
  • A weak stream of urine; several interruptions in the stream
  • Difficulty starting to urinate despite pushing and straining
  • Dribbling at the end of urination
  • Frequent urination
  • The sensation that the bladder is not empty after urination is completed
  • Waking often at night to urinate (nocturia) 7

As the bladder becomes more sensitive to retained urine, a man may also become incontinent (unable to control the bladder, causing bed wetting at night or an inability to respond quickly enough to urinary urgency).

Why Prostate Exams Matter

Beginning at age 45, all men should begin getting prostate checkups—even if they don’t have any symptoms.8  There are two tests your urologist may perform. The first is a PSA blood test. This simple test measures levels of a protein produced by the prostate called prostate-specific antigen. Small amounts of PSA are normally released into the bloodstream. If higher levels are detected, it could be a sign of BPH or prostate cancer.  According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, a PSA level above 3 ng/mL may suggest the need for further testing. If your PSA levels are elevated or you are at an increased risk of prostate cancer, your doctor may also opt to do a digital rectal examination (DRE). Because the prostate is directly in front of the rectum, your doctor can easily explore the gland by gently inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities. 8

Protect Your Prostate

 Your daily habits can help to support a healthy prostate—and this is particularly true when it comes to your diet. For instance, when Australian researchers analyzed data from 868 men, they found that those eating a diet rich in vegetables, soy foods, and lean red meat had a lower risk of BPH. However, the risk was elevated among those who routinely consumed full-fat dairy.10

Another study, this one from Japan, found that men who participated in regular exercise—and who didn’t smoke or overindulge in alcohol—had greater odds of preventing or delaying BPH. The researchers noted that managing high blood pressure could also support a healthy prostate since hypertension can increase your risk of BPH.11

The Best Supplements for BPH

Adding well-researched supplements to your prostate protective arsenal can also help prevent or even manage BHP.

Aged Garlic Extract has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies report that both inflammation and oxidative stress can foster the proliferation of prostate tissue, increasing the risk of BPH.12,13 But AGE’s benefits don’t stop there. If you’re a man over 50 with high blood pressure, research clearly shows that supplementing with AGE can help bring your pressure into a healthy range.14

Lycopene, which is found in foods like tomatoes, has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of benign prostate cells. In one study, lycopene supplements improved the symptoms of BPH and inhibited disease progression.15 Another study found that a tomato-based supplement containing lycopene significantly improved BPH symptoms and quality of life.16

Pumpkin Seed Extract contains chemicals that can increase urination. This might help relieve bladder and prostate discomfort. Some of these chemicals might also reduce swelling in the prostate. Research out of Germany involving 1,431 men with BPH found that supplementing with pumpkin seed extract for 12 months resulted in significant relief from their urinary symptoms.17

Pygeum Africanum contains ferulic acid, triterpenes, and phytosterols—plant chemicals shown to support prostate health and reduce the symptoms of BPH. One study conducted by the Veterans Administration found that men using Pygeum africanum were more than twice as likely to report an improvement in overall symptoms. Specifically, night-time urination was reduced by 19 percent, residual urine volume by 24 percent, and peak urine flow was increased by 23 percent.18

Saw Palmetto may be the best known prostate supplement. The herb works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which slows or prevents the growth of the prostate gland. It also promotes healthy urine flow, which reduces urinary tract symptoms and supports a healthy prostate.19 A study review by the Department of Veterans Affairs showed that men who received saw palmetto supplementation demonstrated a decrease in urinary tract symptoms and an increase in urine flow when compared to a placebo.20

Zinc is an important mineral that’s critical for a healthy immune system. But zinc also plays a key role in prostate health—and low levels can contribute to the development of BPH.21 This is why it’s important to get your zinc levels checked. If you’re deficient, consider supplementing with a moderate amount of the mineral.

While it’s easy to ignore your prostate, doing all you can to prevent or delay BPH is a smart move. And that starts with prostate exams and the healthy habits discussed above. If you’re at particular risk or already show minor urinary symptoms, look for a comprehensive supplement that provides these targeted prostate-friendly nutrients.


References

  1. McVary KT. Patient education: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Beyond the Basics).
  2. Ng M, Leslie SW, Baradhi KM. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558920/
  3. Singh O, Bolla SR. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Prostate. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540987/
  4. Prostate problems. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2016. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems
  5. Xia SJ, Xu XX, Teng JB, et al. Characteristic pattern of human prostatic growth with age. Asian Journal of Andrology. 2002;4(4):269-71.
  6. Sundaram D, Sankaran PK, Raghunath G, et al. Correlation of prostate gland size and uroflowmetry in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research. 2017 May;11(5):AC01-AC04.
  7. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph#:~:text=Difficulty%20starting%20to%20urinate%20despite,BPH%20do%20not%20have%20hematuria.
  8. Prostate exam. (2021). Prostate Cancer Foundation. https://www.pcf.org/about-prostate-cancer/what-is-prostate-cancer/prostate-exam/
  9. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test. (2020). Medline Plus. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prostate-specific-antigen-psa-test/
  10. Ambrosini GL, de Klerk NH, Mackerras D, et al. Dietary patterns and surgically treated benign prostatic hyperplasia: a case control study in Western Australia. BJU International. 2008;101(7):853-60.
  11. Nagakura Y, Hayashi M, Kajioka S. Lifestyle habits to prevent the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Analysis of Japanese nationwide datasets. Prostate 2022;10(4):200-206.
  12. Chughtai B, Lee R, Te A, et al. Role of inflammation in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Reviews in Urology. 2011;13(3):147-50.
  13. Minciullo PL, Inferrera A, Navarra M, et al. Oxidative stress in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. Urologia Internationalis. 2015;94(3):249-54.
  14. Ried K, Frank OR, Stocks NP. Aged garlic extract lowers blood pressure in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension: a randomised controlled trial. Maturitas. 2010;67(2):144-50.
  15. Schwarz S, Obermüller-Jevic UC, Hellmis E, et al. Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. Journal of Nutrition. 2008;138(1):49-53.
  16. Cormio L, Calò B, Falagario U, et al.Improvement of urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in benign prostate hyperplasia patients associated with consumption of a newly developed whole tomato-based food supplement: a phase II prospective, randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2021;19:24.
  17. Vahlensieck W, Theurer C, Pfitzer E, et al. Effects of pumpkin seed in men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in the one-year, randomized, placebo-controlled GRANU study. Urologia Internationalis. 2015;94(3):286-95.
  18. Wilt T, Ishani A, Mac Donald R, et al. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2002;1998(1):CD001044.
  19. Fagelman E, Lowe FC. Saw Palmetto Berry as a Treatment for BPH. Reviews in Urology. 2001 Summer;3(3):134-8.
  20. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. 1998;280(18):1604-9.
  21. Sauer AK, Vela H, Vela G, et al. Zinc Deficiency in Men Over 50 and Its Implications in Prostate Disorders. Frontiers in 2020;10:1293.

This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.