Protect your prostate

After a man turns 50, he has a 50-60 percent chance of having a problem with his prostate. Here are some simple ways to protect your prostate and live a long and healthy life!

Prostate trouble can be loosely categorised into three groups.

1. Prostatitis – an infection in the prostate gland, due to either a urinary infection or a venereal disease. Symptoms include a deep ache in the pelvis or groin, and/or pain or discomfort when passing urine.
2. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – an extremely common condition. Symptoms include incontinence, dribbling, reduced flow, urgency and nocturia. A dramatic decrease in testosterone is likely to be the cause.
3. Prostate Cancer – affects only a small percentage of BPH sufferers. The speed of the onset of symptoms is usually a good marker along with increasing pain in the pelvis and lower back.

All three conditions are androgen dependant. Androgen is a hormone that is converted into testosterone and then Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prostate gland, by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. When testosterone levels fall after about 50 years of age, the change in hormone levels cause an excessive conversion of testosterone in the prostate gland. To stop this conversion, not only does one need to look at diet, but also supplementation and lifestyle.

The Nasties

1. Beer and Stress

As testosterone decreases, other hormones increase, like prolactin, FSH, estradiol and leutinising hormone. The uptake of testosterone in the prostate gland is increased by prolactin. Beer and stress increase prolactin levels.

2. Cadmium

Cadmium, which is found in pollution and particularly cigarette smoking, increases the level of 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone to DHT in the prostate, causing enlargement. Zinc helps remove cadmium from the body

The Goodies

1. Phyto-nutrients

Many epidemiological studies have shown that the gut converts the phenolic component of food (including isoflavones) into active hormone-like compounds. 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone in the prostate, is inhibited by these phyto-nutrients.

2. Melatonin

Melatonin has been scheduled ‘4’ in Australia, which means its prescription is restricted to medical practitioners only. Evidence shows that the spread of tumours in the prostate are decreased with melatonin as it receives androgen before it turns into testosterone. It is released from the pineal gland at sundown, but only if we see the sun setting. Thus having your computer, television or lights on when day changes into night, will prevent this release. Melatonin makes you sleepy and it decreases with age. Unfortunately excessive supplementation of melatonin can cause side effects like depression, insomnia, irritability and agitation therefore it is recommended that you enjoy sunsets daily.

3. Zinc

Zinc’s uptake (and sometimes intake) is low in men of the 50+ age group. This is probably due to increased oestrogen levels, which interfere with its intestinal uptake, and decreased androgen levels. Zinc is vital for proper androgen functioning and has been shown to reduce the size of the prostate. It reduces symptoms of BPH and also inhibits 5-alpha-reductase.

4. Diet

Include:

• Foods high in zinc like pumpkin seeds, oysters, miso, wheat germ and alfalfa;
• Fibre found in complex carbohydrates such as fruit and vegetables, legumes and whole cereals. It binds to testosterone and eliminates it from the body.
• Garlic, onions and cabbage help remove cadmium from the body.
• Reduce cholesterol by replacing saturated fats like animal protein and dairy products with good fats like those from deep-sea, cold water fish, olive oil and avocado’s. High cholesterol can degenerate prostate tissue.
• Phyto-nutrients found in soy products and plant food inhibit 5-alpha-reductase.
• Wheatgrass is used for its cooling properties, and its ability to cleanse toxins. It is a strong digestive, therefore beneficial for gasto-intestinal inflammation.
• Sea vegetables such as kelp and kombu soften hardened areas in the body and reduce masses.
• Omega 3 oils such as flax seed work just as well as fish oils.
• Foods that help combat what Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to as a damp condition are rye, amaranth, corn, adzuki beans, celery, lettuce, pumpkin, shallots, alfalfa, turnips and raw honey.

Avoid:

• Alcohol, especially beer as it increases prolactin levels;
• refined or excess salt;
• saturated fats;
• shellfish;
• fried foods;
• pesticides;
• excessive consumption of raw foods;
• too many flavours/ingredients eaten together;
• late night eating;
• overeating.

Herbs

The following herbs can also be of great benefit to prostate health.

• Saw palmetto (seranoa serrulata) acts as a diuretic, urinary antiseptic and an endocrine agent. It is specific for prostatic hyperplasia. It tones and strengthens the male reproductive system. It is also indicated for all gasto-urinary infections.
• Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a diuretic.
• Buchu (Agathosma betulina) is astringent and also acts as a urinary antiseptic.
• Couchgrass (Agropyron repens) another useful diuretic, calming pain and spasms in the urinary tract. Also works on the inflammation.
• Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) is an astringent and a strong diuretic. It is used to relieve symptoms of the urinary tract including inflammation and helps heal the urinary mucosa.
• Damiana (urnera diffusa) has a testosterone-like action, stimulating and enhancing functions relating to the reproductive system.
• Panax Ginseng regulates hormonal imbalance