Problems with your prostate? Maybe it's BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common problem for many men beginning around the age of forty or fifty. This problem must be diagnosed by a physician. Current treatment usually involves surgery or drugs, or wait and see.
What is it?
BPH is a disorder causing enlargement of the prostate gland, leading to a constriction of the neck of the urinary bladder. Symptoms include increased frequency and urgency of urination, and more.
Causes:
It is caused by hormonal changes that result in an increase of dihydroxytestosterone (DHT). This in turn results in a progressive increase in the production of prostate tissue, leading to the symptoms above.
Considerations:
It is possible to reduce the symptoms by a variety of methods, including nutritional factors and phytotherapy.
- Supplements
- zinc has shown good results, though not consistent, and should be included with other dietary measures rather than be used alone
- B6 often helps
- essential fatty acids (such as evening primrose and fish oils) may play a role
- Herbal Support
- saw palmetto (standerdized extract) has been used with impressive clinical results, according to Michael Murray, N.D.
- pygeum has demonstrated effectiveness in several studies, as reported by Daniel Crisafi, N.D. and it is popular in Europe
- nettle is used widely in Germany
- pygeum and saw palmetto are available in a combination, together with zinc and B6
- prostatonin is an herbal combination of pygeum and nettles
- Nutrition
- Dr. Michael Schachter M.D. recommends, in "The Natural Way to a Healthy Prostate", a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fresh juices with modest amounts of nuts and seeds, organic eggs, organic chicken and fish
- pumpkin seeds are the highest food source of zinc and also contain essential fatty acids. Eat them daily.
Suggested Reading
- The Natural Way to a Healthy Prostate
- The Male Herbal
- The Healing Power of Herbs
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