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You may be
familiar with the old saying that the way to a man’s heart is through
his stomach. Here’s another truism – the key to a man’s health
and his enjoyment of life, particularly as he ages, is his prostate. In
this two part series we’ll explore the prostate gland. In Part 1,
we’ll learn what the prostate is, what it does, and the three common
disorders that men experience. In Part 2, we’ll take a look at what
steps we can take to reduce our likelihood of prostate problems.
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The prostate
is a small gland and is part of the male reproductive system. The
growth and functioning of the prostate are controlled by testosterone.
The prostate is located under the bladder and surrounds the urethra.
The urethra transports urine from the bladder and ejaculates semen. In
this way the prostate acts as a valve that permits both sperm and urine
to flow in the proper direction – out of the body. It receives sperm
from the testicles and produces nutrients to nourish the sperm. When
the prostate is normal sized this occurs without incident. |
The prostate
also functions as a filter. It ensures that the seminal fluid is a
healthy environment for sperm cells by filtering out impurities from
the blood stream. Healthy sperm increase the likelihood of a healthy
baby! In young men the prostate is about the size of a walnut. However,
it commonly enlarges with age.
There are
three main prostate disorders – prostatitis, benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer. By the age of fifty, 75% of men
have enlarged prostates and 33% have cancer cells in their prostate. By
the age of seventy five, 75% have cancer cells in their prostates.
Prostatitis
is pain from the swelling of the prostate gland. The Merck Manual says
that, “Prostatitis usually develops for unknown reasons.” It can
result from a bacterial infection, yet most times it is non-bacterial.
Benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the
prostate gland that makes urination difficult. Again, the Merck Manual
does not offer much help, “Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) becomes
increasingly common as men age, especially after age 50. The precise
cause is not known but probably involves changes induced by hormones,
especially testosterone.” By age fifty 30% of men begin to experience
BPH. By age sixty it is 50%, beyond age 70 it is 80%, and by age 80 it
is practically 100%. In addition, 20% of men with BPH will develop
prostate cancer.
Testosterone
controls the growth and functioning of the prostate. As men age, they
produce or have available less testosterone. This lower amount of
testosterone may negatively impact the prostate. Another problem that
can occur is an increase in the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT
is made from testosterone and makes the prostate grow. Its production
is stimulated by estradiol (a form of estrogen). Men with BPH have been
found to have excessive estradiol in their prostate. Where does this
excess come from? Several places. The first is from fat cells. Estrogen
is naturally produced in these cells. If the man is overweight, he may
have excess estrogen. In addition, estrogen can come from food, water,
and other environmental sources.
Also, as
testosterone levels decrease and other hormones become out of balance
males suffer from their version of menopause – andropause. Symptoms
may include depression, irritability, loss of energy, withdrawal from
activities and relationships, memory and concentration problems, loss
of libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle soreness, decreased lean muscle
mass, sleep problems, blood sugar instability, weight gain, and
prostate or urinary problems. In addition risk for cardiovascular
disease and osteoporosis increases.
Prostate
cancer is the most common cancer among men. Often, it grows very slowly
and may take decades to produce symptoms. However, sometimes it grows
rapidly and spreads outside the prostate. According to the Merck
Manual, “The cause of prostate cancer is not known.”
So, what do
we know? Modern medicine does not know what causes any of these three
disorders that affect the majority of males in their lifetime. Yet,
they have some common symptoms, indicating they are likely on the same
disease pathway. These include pain in the penis, pain in the
testicles, pain in the perineum, frequent urination, burning urination,
night-time urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder, painful
ejaculation, painful urination, sensation of having to urinate
immediately often accompanied by bladder pain or spasm, and recurring
urinary tract infections. There are also some seemingly unrelated
symptoms – lower back pain (very common), chronic pelvic pain
syndrome, fever, chills, joint pain, muscle pain, and infection in the
blood stream. In Part 2 we’ll look at natural ways to reduce the
likelihood of prostate problems.
This is the
second article in a two part series about the prostate gland.
In Part 1, we learned what the prostate is, what it does, and
the three common disorders that men experience.
Now, we’ll take a look at what steps we can take to reduce our
likelihood of prostate problems.
The key
points from Part 1 were: 1) as men age they are increasingly likely to
experience one of three prostate ailments – prostatitis, benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate cancer; 2) the medical
community is not sure what causes any of these ailments; and 3) once we
have one of these conditions there are a variety of unpleasant
symptoms.
However,
perhaps there is a cause. Perhaps
it is our modern lifestyle; let me explain five factors that play a
role. First, many of us
are sedentary with limited exercise which increases as we age.
This leads to a lack of blood flow and circulation throughout
the body, allowing toxins to accumulate, and providing less nourishment
through the body. Second,
many of our diets do not include all the nutrients required to nourish
our body. Nutrient
deficiencies, particularly in the prostate gland create favorable
conditions for bacteria to grow and infections to develop. Third, the
emphasis on constant sexual performance depletes nutrients from our
bodies through excessive ejaculation.
Each ejaculation requires the production of more sperm, which
depletes nutrients that could be utilized elsewhere in the body.
Increased sexual activity depletes the prostate gland of enzymes
and zinc that sterilize the urethra and protect the gland from bacteria
and infection. Fourth, emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, and
worry add toxins to the blood. And
fifth, prescription drugs also add toxins to the blood.
As we age the likelihood of being on more prescription drugs
increases. So, what is the
impact of all these toxins in the blood?
Remember, one of the main functions of the prostate gland is to
filter the toxins and metabolic wastes.
However, it does not only filter, it also stores.
From my
research, I believe it is the toxins and the wastes (from the
filtering) that have accumulated over time and why it becomes more
prevalent as men age. And,
remember the “non-bacterial” prostatitis that has no medical
remedy? Well, my research
shows that it is bacteria, and these bacteria are trapped inside the
small sacs (called acini) that make up the interior of the prostate
gland. When the fluid
inside these sacs is stagnant or unhealthy, bacteria will grow.
The sacs become inflamed and swell and then seal off. As they do this the prostate swells. These bacteria do not get outside of the sacs, so it can not
be identified in the urine or semen.
Prostate
problems likely come from four factors – genetic, hormonal, dietary,
and lifestyle. The good
news – we have some influence over three of the four.
We can do something. We
can change our diet, there are nutritional supplements that can support
the prostate, we can increase our exercise, we can reduce our stress,
and we can regulate our sexual frequency.
A diet
primarily of bad fats, refined and processed foods, minimal fruits and
vegetables will lead to nutrient deficiencies.
The key nutrients for the prostate are Vitamin B6
(and all the B vitamins) which plays an important role in hormonal
metabolism. It reduces the conversion of testosterone into DHT (DHT makes
the prostate grow). We get
B vitamins from whole grains and healthy animal products.
Vitamins C, E, and the mineral selenium are antioxidants which
neutralize the excess free radicals that are creating havoc throughout
the body. Antioxidants
come from fruits and vegetables. The
essential fatty acids (Omega 3’s – EPA and DHA) are
anti-inflammatory and help to build and maintain healthy cells.
Omega 3’s come mainly from cold water fish.
Zinc is a trace mineral that is involved in male hormone
production, seminal fluid production, and sperm production.
It also prevents the formation of DHT.
A normal prostate gland contains more zinc that any other organ
in the body. Our ability
to absorb zinc declines with age.
Zinc deficiency is very common today.
The best sources of zinc include eggs, meat, organ meats,
seafood (especially oysters), and seeds (particularly pumpkin).
The
nutritional supplements that have been found to support the prostate
gland include saw palmetto and pygeum. Saw palmetto blocks the
formation of DHT. Pygeum
is an anti-inflammatory.
Exercise is
beneficial because it increases blood flow and nerve energy to the
surrounding tissues and to the prostate itself.
Other helpful ideas for enlarged prostates include Sitz baths
(for 30 minutes minimum), and massage.
Massage will help with blood flow.
There are some specific massage techniques that can help to
clean the prostate and reduce swelling.
For more information on these techniques you would want to talk
to a qualified professional.
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