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Prostate problems can occur at any time in life, but the most common, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) primarily affects men over 50 years of age.
The prostate is a little walnut-sized gland that surrounds a man's urethra and lies below the bladder.
Incidence; Causes & Development
By age 50, 30% of men have it. By 60 years, 50% get it. By the time they reach 70, over 80% of men have BPH. According to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, one in six American men is at risk for poor prostate health during his lifetime.
Prostate health problems stem from genetic, hormonal and dietary factors. The increase in trans-fat consumption over the past decades is correlated with an increase in prostate disorders. In addition, you may have heard that men who eat red meat have the greatest risk for prostate cancer and poor prostate health. That's just part of the story, since what's missing is recognition of the role the essential fatty acids play in balancing and regulating saturated fats.
Signs & Symptoms
The symptoms to look for are:- Lumps in the prostate or testicles
- Thickening or excess fluid in the scrotum
- Painful, weak, or interrupted urination
- Persistent low back and leg pain
Treatment & Prevention
Choosing specific prostate nutrition over agressive treatments might be the best to ensure prostate health.
Essential fatty acids are critical to prostate health. By increasing the right fats - from nuts, seeds and oils - you can decrease your chances of prostate cancer. The best initial medicine may be the essential fats, and avoidance of the non-essential, harmful fats from margarine, vegetable shortnings, fried foods and processed vegetable oils.
Prostate problems that are caused by poor diet can be turned around by making simple dietary changes and establishing hormonal balance leading to prostate health. Suggested lifestyle changes include:- DIET: According to the Harvard School of Public Health, maintaining a healthy diet without a lot of protein and fat, especially from junk food, has been shown to increase the quality of living for men prone to prostate problems. Doctors emphasize that fruits, vegetables - including lycopene-rich tomatoes - and whole grains are known to promote prostate health.
- EXERCISE: According to UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center, scientists found that getting regular exercise (moderately intense activity lasting 30 minutes at least four days a week) is measurably helpful to maintaining a healthy prostate.
- SUPPLEMENTS: Dietary supplements that contain lycopene, standardized saw palmetto extract, selenium, vitamin D, zinc and copper aid in the maintenance of the gland.
- VISIT THE DOCTOR: According to the American Cancer Society, men should have annual prostate screenings that include prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests starting at the age of 50. The annual check-ups should begin at age 40 for African-American men and those with a family history of poor prostate health.
Complications
It's estimated that 20% of BPH cases develop into cancer.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Poor Prostate Health:
KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link |
GLOSSARY
Antigen (Antigenic, Antigens)
A substance, usually protein or protein-sugar complex in nature, which, being foreign to the bloodstream or tissues of an animal, stimulates the formation of specific blood serum antibodies and white blood cell activity. Re-exposure to similar antigen will reactivate the white blood cells and antibody programmed against this specific antigen.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH)
The benign buildup in the prostate of "warts" or epithelial neoplasias that can block or interrupt urination, and which are usually concurrent with moderate prostate enlargement. They cause a dull ache on urination, ejaculation, and/or defecation. The diagnosis is medical, since the same subjective conditions can result fromcancer of the prostate. BPH is common in men over fifty and can be the result either of diminished production of complete testosterone or poor pelvic circulation. Alcohol, coffee, speed, and antihistamines can all aggravate the problem.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Checkup (Check-up, Checkups, Check-ups)
A thorough physical examination that includes a variety of tests depending on the age, sex and health of the person.
Copper
An essential mineral that is a component of several important enzymes in the body and is essential to good health. Copper is found in all body tissues. Copper deficiency leads to a variety of abnormalities, including anemia, skeletal defects, degeneration of the nervous system, reproductive failure, pronounced cardiovascular lesions, elevated blood cholesterol, impaired immunity and defects in the pigmentation and structure of hair. Copper is involved in iron incorporation into hemoglobin. It is also involved with vitamin C in the formation of collagen and the proper functioning in central nervous system. More than a dozen enzymes have been found to contain copper. The best studied are superoxide dismutase (SOD), cytochrome C oxidase, catalase, dopamine hydroxylase, uricase, tryptophan dioxygenase, lecithinase and other monoamine and diamine oxidases.
Essential Fatty Acid (EFA, EFAs, Essential Fatty Acids)
A substance that the human body cannot manufacture and therefore must be supplied in the diet.
Gland (Glands)
The glandular system is one of the most important and complicated systems of the body. Gland tissue can be either an organ or general tissue that secretes chemicals and there are two types of gland: exocrine and endocrine. Those glands which secrete chemicals through tubules or ducts are called exocrine and include sweat, tear and salivary glands. Ductless glands - part of the endocrine system - secrete special chemicals (hormones) directly into the blood.
Prostate
The prostate gland in men that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra and produces a secretion that liquefies coagulated semen.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Saturated Fat (Saturated Fats)
A type of fat that is readily converted to LDL cholesterol and is thought to encourage production of arterial disease. Saturated fats tend to be hard at room temperature. Among saturated fats are animal fats, dairy products, and such vegetable oils as coconut and palm oils.
Selenium
An essential element involved primarily in enzymes that are antioxidants. Three selenium- containing enzymes are antioxidant peroxidases and a fourth selenium-containing enzyme is involved in thyroid hormone production. The prostate contains a selenium-containing protein and semen contains relatively large amounts of selenium. Clinical studies show that selenium is important in lowering the risk of several types of cancers. In combination with Vitamin E, selenium aids the production of antibodies and helps maintain a healthy heart. It also aids in the function of the pancreas, provides elasticity to tissues and helps cells defend themselves against damage from oxidation.
Testicles (Testicle, Testicular)
Egg-shaped sex glands in the scrotum that secrete male hormones such as testosterone, and produce sperm.
Vitamin D
A fat-soluble vitamin essential to one's health. Regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood by improving their absorption and utilization. Necessary for normal growth and formation of bones and teeth. For Vitamin D only, 1mcg translates to 40 IU.
Zinc
An essential trace mineral. The functions of zinc are enzymatic. There are over 70 metalloenzymes known to require zinc for their functions. The main biochemicals in which zinc has been found to be necessary include: enzymes and enzymatic function, protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Zinc is a constituent of insulin and male reproductive fluid. Zinc is necessary for the proper metabolism of alcohol, to get rid of the lactic acid that builds up in working muscles and to transfer it to the lungs. Zinc is involved in the health of the immune system, assists vitamin A utilization and is involved in the formation of bone and teeth.
Last updated: Jul 12, 2008
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