Summer Holiday

Due to my laptop going off to be fixed again

and also it being summer

Jax Writers Spot

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Enjoy the Sunshine

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Mens health week 2009. A time to focus on male specific health issues such as prostate problems.

It is generally accepted that men do not visit the doctors as much as women. In one study younger men suggested embarrassment stopped them visiting the doctors, while older men suggested fear of what may be found stopped them visiting surgeries. National Men’s health week 2009 (15th - 21st June) focused on improving men’s use of medical services, and reducing the risks to men’s health and wellbeing. A report published at the beginning of the week by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) and the Men’s health Forum suggests that men are almost 40% more likely than women to die from cancer. Professor David Forman puts forward that there seems to be no biological reason why men should be at greater risk from cancer than women, and suggests a possible explanation may me that are more likely to ignore symptoms, and put off going to the doctors, until sometimes it is too late for treatment to be effective. With the revelations of this study it seems more important than ever that men take charge of their health.

One of the biggest cancers affecting men is Prostate cancer. Around 27,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, and over a third of those (around 9,900) end in death. As well as this, it is estimated that in the UK, half of men over 55 and three quarters of men over 70 suffer from an enlarged prostate; a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH). Younger men can suffer from a condition known as Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) which can be treated with antibiotics. While these statistics are quite scary, there is more likelihood that conditions can be treated if men visit the doctor at the first sign of any symptoms. This article will mainly discuss BPH, but will also briefly discuss Prostate cancer and Prostatitis.

The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra. Its job is to secrete seminal fluids, and to contract to cause ejaculation during sexual intercourse. As men age the prostate gland can grow up to four times the size it started out as. This is mainly due to hormonal changes associated with aging. After the age of 50 or so, levels of testosterone begin to decrease, while the production of oestrogen increases. Much of the testosterone which is still produced gets converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which collects in the prostate and encourages overproduction of prostate cells thus causing its enlargement. In younger men DHT is broken down before it can cause harm, however the excess oestrogen in older men inhibit DHT breakdown. The majority of prostate problems are caused by this gradual enlargement, which is known as Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

The urethra, (which takes urine from the bladder) passes by the prostate, and as the enlarged gland places extra pressure on the urethra, it obstructs the flow of urine.

Symptoms of BPH include:

• the need to urinate more often
• difficulty in starting the flow of urine
• a flow which starts and stops
• increased need to urinate in the night
• and increased sense of urgency/need to urinate right away
• dribbling after urination
• burning or pain during urination

For some men the enlargement of the prostate can cause more severe symptoms such as:

• Finding it impossible to urinate (this generally only happens in about 2%of cases of BPH and requires immediate medical treatment)
• Inability to empty the bladder, known as chronic retention (as BPH develops more and more urine gets left in the bladder)

Doctors can identify prostate problems by:

• Patients keeping a diary recording drinking and urination over a period of many days.
• Carrying out a rectal examination as the prostate can be felt through the rectum wall.
• The doctor may also test the urine, and kidney function can be determined with a blood test.
• Further investigations may involve conducting a flow test which can asses the speed at which urine leaves the bladder
• and possibly an ultrasound examination.

Please note: Any treatment is likely to offer relief but doesn't stop the possibility of relapses. It is not always possible to completely cure prostate problems and conditions often do recur. If an enlarged prostate can be softened and becomes smaller again then urination will be easier and less painful, however as it has grown to be this size with age, It is likely that it will stay slightly larger.

Conventional treatment of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, involves medication or possible surgery.

Finasteride a 5-alpha-reductase- inhibitor is a common medication which inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone and therefore should stop the growth of the prostate. Alternative medication includes a variety of alpha blockers, which do not reduce the size of the prostate, but relax the muscles and therefore reduce the obstruction to the flow of urine.

Surgery will involve the removal of some of the enlarged tissue of the prostate gland, however there are many risks involved including ‘retrograde ejaculation’ where semen can enter the urine during ejaculation.

Cancer of the prostate
Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages, and in later stages the symptoms are very similar to BPH. The difference is that the enlargement of the prostate gland is caused by a tumour which can spread to other parts of the body. It is reported that prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer (after skin cancer) in males in Western countries.

There is a simple blood test called a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test which screens for prostate cancer and is recommended men should take the PSA test every two years. Without any investigation or treatment, as the cancer develops the symptoms are likely to become more severe and can include:

• Weight loss
• Pain in the legs and/or pelvis and/or lower back.
  

It is not clear what causes prostate cancer but it may well be heredity, and it is also suggested a diet high in fats and low in vegetables can possibly increase the risk of developing prostate problems.

Prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate, and is most common in men aged 20 to 50. Treatment generally involves a course of antibiotics. Symptoms can include:

• Having to urinate more often and with more urgency
• Pain while urinating
• Feeling generally unwell with a fever
• Aches and pains in lower back abdomen and/or genitals.
• Painful ejaculation.

Chronic Prostatitis can sometimes be difficult to totally clear up, and can recur. It is therefore important to finish any course of antibiotics, and it may also be useful to explore preventative measures through adopting a healthy diet. Nicotine and alcohol can trigger non bacterial prostatitis, and also stress may be a trigger and relaxation exercises may help. Regular ejaculation can also help relieve congestion in the prostate gland.

Natural help for a healthy prostate

Foods to avoid:

A diet high in fats from butter, red meats, and diary products is likely to aggravate prostate problems.

Generally avoid stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, sugar and carbonated drinks.

Pesticide and herbicide residues have been suggested to be linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer so therefore choosing organic foods is a better option. Also locally grown fruit and vegetables which have not travelled many miles are likely to contain more nutrients.

Foods which are high in quick releasing sugars such as cakes and biscuits can cause inflammation and therefore best avoided.

Friendly foods:

Drinking water preferably 2 litres a day is always a good step in any healthy eating plan.

Foods high in Zinc are particularly important for the protection of the prostate. Zinc is more abundant in prostate tissue than any other organ in the body and is vital for normal hormone metabolism. Low levels of zinc have been linked to BPH and prostate cancer, as Zinc inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). You can either take a zinc supplement or eat foods rich in zinc such as pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds.

Although it is advisable to generally avoid a high fat diet, essential fats especially Omega-3 found in oily fish and linseed oil can also help protect the prostate against enlargement.

Pumpkin seeds are a great food for anyone with prostate problems as they are rich in zinc and essential fatty acids.

Soya beans are rich in Isoflavones which have been shown to inhibit the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Soya beans have a high content of plant sterols which can also relieve the symptoms of BPH.

Eat more highly coloured fruit and vegetables such as carrots, peppers, summer berries, avocados, sweet potatoes, and dark green vegetables, as they are rich in antioxidants which can help calm inflammation.

Tomatoes have a high content of the antioxidant lycopene, which a study by Harvard researchers found may be significant in protecting against prostate cancer. They found that men eating more than ten servings of tomato based dishes a week had a 35% decreased risk of prostate cancer than those who only ate tomatoes once a week.

Useful Remedies:

Pygeum
It is thought that pygeum works to relive symptoms associated with BPH, such as an increased need to urinate and painful urination, by interfering with the site (located in the prostate) that the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) needs to bind itself to. Pygeum also contains phytosterols which have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the prostate.

Red Clover
An increase of oestrogen, as men get older, is linked to BPH. Red clover is a useful herb to help with an enlarged prostate, as it contains phytooestrongenic isoflavones which can inhibit the overproduction of oestrogen.

Saw Palmetto
A very popular remedy; Saw Palmetto reduces the swelling in the prostate, by inhibiting the production of the enzyme which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is suggested that saw palmetto can be as effective as some of the conventional medicines, however a proper diagnosis from a doctor is essential before embarking on any treatment. One of the reasons people do not stick with herbal remedies is that they want and expect immediate results. Herbs however often treat the cause of a condition, as opposed to masking symptoms, and as many conditions have taken years to become a problem, no-one is likely to find they are cured overnight. It can take one to three months before saw palmetto begins to work. Once symptoms are stable, as prostate problems can recur, it would be beneficial to continue taking a maintenance dose of saw palmetto daily.

For further information and help look at:
http://www.prostatehelp.me.uk/
Prostate cancer research foundation http://www.thepcrf.org/
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
http://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Note: Information in this article is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, who should be the first port of call with any of the mentioned health conditions. I am not medically qualified, but have been interested in nutrition since my eldest daughter developed food intolerances almost 20 years ago. I have researched this piece from reputable internet sites and by reading through books such as;

The Food Doctor, Healing foods for mind and body by Vicki Edgson & Ian Marber

Superfoods by Michael Van Straten & Barbara Griggs

Prescription for Nutritional healing 2nd edition by James F Balch M.D & Phyllis A. Balch C.N.C

Food your miracle medicine by Jean Harper

The food pharmacy by Jean Harper

500 of the most important health tips you’ll ever need by Hazel Courteney

The ABC of superfoods 'B'

This article is the second in a series, looking at the ABC of foods which have been deemed super-foods. Eating a healthy balanced diet involves eating a variety of different foods including; fruit and vegetables, wholemeal and wholegrain foods, and protein such as fish, meat, eggs and lentils, and some milk and dairy foods.

Bananas

Contains: Potassium, beta-carotene, tryptophan, vitamin K, B6, & C.

Bananas are one of nature’s best fast foods, at just under 100 calories they are packed full of nourishing nutrients. Weight for weight bananas can provide the same amount of vitamin B6 as liver, which many people do not get enough of in their diets. They also contain a very useful form of fibre called pectin which can help the body eliminate toxic wastes such as heavy metals, and can also help lower cholesterol.

Bananas are often recommended by complimentary therapists for constipation as well as diarrhoea as they are known to restore the normal function of the digestive tract.

Research has found that ‘tryptophan’; an amino acid found in bananas, can promote sleep and help with depression. Tryptophan is involved in the production of serotonin, and studies have shown that depletion in tryptophan can lead to reduced serotonin levels, and possibly increase a person’s chances of suffering from depression. Serotonin is also a precursor to the hormone; melatonin which promotes good sleep. On top of this, it is suggested that tryptophan may decrease the appetite for carbohydrates, and therefore bananas may also be useful for anyone wanting to lose weight.

Barley

Contains: Potassium, phosphorous, zinc, manganese, magnesium, calcium, folic acid and B vitamins.

Barley has been cultivated for hundreds of years, longer than many other cereals. Heavy round flat loaves made from barley was a staple food in the middle ages. As the loaves were so heavy, oats and then wheat became more popular. Barley is nutrient rich with very high levels of calcium and potassium, and also provides plenty of B vitamins making it a good food for people suffering from fatigue.

Barley is well known for its demulcent qualities, and is especially soothing for inflammatory conditions of the digestive and urinary tract. Homemade barley water made by boiling a washed heaped teaspoon of pot barley in a pint of water and simmering for 30 minutes, can be used to help sooth irritation caused by cystitis and constipation.

Research has suggested that the coarse outer layers of barley, as well as other cereals, contain substances that inhibit the production of cholesterol. It has been suggested that fibres known as beta glucans, present throughout barley, binds to bile acids and aids their elimination from the body. Bile acids digest fats which are manufactured from cholesterol by the liver. When bile acids are excreted from the body, the liver must manufacture more, and therefore using up more cholesterol, and lowering the amount of cholesterol in the body.

Beetroot

Contains: Iron, magnesium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, manganese, folic acid and vitamin C.

Beetroot juice has been used for centuries as a blood builder, for patients who were weak and run down, as well as to help build up resistance after illness. Raw beetroot juice acts as a general tonic and also acts as a powerful cleanser not only for the blood, but also the intestines, gall bladder, and liver. It is suggested beetroot juice can also help eliminate kidney stones.

Much research has also been done into how beetroot can be beneficial in the treatment of cancer. Studies in hospitals in Germany found that beetroot contains anti-carcinogenic substances which are bound to its red colour. It has been suggested that beetroots effectiveness against cancer, may be that it has the ability to increase the uptake of oxygen in the cells.

Beetroots are particularly rich in vitamin B12 (folic acid), which is essential for normal tissue growth, and alongside this folic acid is needed in the formation of blood, and the transmission of hereditary characteristics. Beetroot is therefore is an important food for pregnant women, and can help protect against birth defects.

Berries

Although they are often quite expensive, just one cup of berries can provide us with all the super-healthy antioxidants we need in a single day. Antioxidants help to prevent the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that cause damage to our cells, impairing the immune system, and possibly leading to infections and degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer, they are also thought to accelerate the aging process. Free radicals are produced in a number of ways; such as exposure to environmental pollutants like tobacco smoke and exhaust fumes, and cooking food at too high a temperature, common when frying food in hot oil or barbecuing. By destroying free radicals antioxidants are useful to help detoxify and protect the body.

Berries also contain high levels of phyto-oestrogens which are beneficial for female reproductive health. They can be helpful with erratic periods, PMS, and menopausal problems.

There are many reported health benefits from eating different types of berries. Blackberries are a good tonic and blood cleanser and are said to relieve diarrhoea. Cranberries can kill harmful bacteria in the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract.

Blueberries contain; vitamin C and beta-carotene and are known to be a good blood cleanser, and can also help improve circulation and benefit eyesight.

Broccoli

Contains: Calcium, Magnesium, iron, phosphorous, folic acid, beta-carotene, vitamins B3, B5 &C
Highly nutritious broccoli is a member of the crucifer family, which have been found to be anti-cancerous. Broccoli is high in antioxidants such as; beta-carotene which are said to inhibit the activation of cancer cells. Broccoli also contains phytonutrients such as; ‘indoles’ and ‘sulforaphane’. Research has shown that sulforaphane helps with detoxification and can help get rid of carcinogenic substances more effectively. Indoles have been found to be able to suppress a potent estrogen metabolite which has been linked to breast cancer tumour growth, as well as suppressing the movement of cancer cells to other parts of the body.

Broccoli is also an excellent source of fibre and an effective intestinal cleanser. It has also been reported that sulforaphane can inhibit the production of intestinal polyps which are the precursors to colon cancer.

Broccoli has many reported health benefits due to being a powerhouse of nutrients. Eating broccoli may help in the prevention of cataracts due to containing the antioxidants ‘lutein’ and ‘zeaxanthin’ which are found in the lens of the eyes. The activity of the antioxidants in broccoli which help prevent free radical formation can also help protect against heart disease. Broccoli has a high vitamin C content, which combined with the amount of calcium in broccoli can help build stronger bones, and combined with its beta-carotene and zinc and selenium content makes it a good food to help boost the immune system. As broccoli is also rich in iron it is useful for anyone suffering from fatigue and nervous problems. All in all broccoli is clearly a super ‘superfood’.

Buckwheat

Contains: Zinc, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, folic acid, vitamin C.

Buckwheat contains all eight essential amino acids making it a perfect protein food for vegetarians and it is also an excellent source of fibre, which is essential for bowel health. As fibre passes through the body it absorbs water and therefore increases the bulk of waste matter. Eating more fibre can help with a number of bowel problems such as constipation, haemorrhoids and diverticulitis. Fibre can also help stabilise blood sugar levels as it slows down the rate glucose is absorbed into the blood stream.

Many of buckwheat’s health benefits are due to providing a rich supply of the flavanoid; rutin. Rutin is known to strengthen and tone the walls of the capillaries. Buckwheat can help protect against heart disease, due to its rutin and other flavonoid content. It has been found these compounds help maintain blood flow, and prevent platelets in blood from clotting. Buckwheat’s high magnesium content compliments the actions of these flavonoids, by relaxing blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and improving the uptake of nutrients. Studies have shown that diets high in buckwheat is also linked to lowered levels of cholesterol. All in all buckwheat is a great food for a healthy cardiovascular system.

On top of this it is claimed that Rutin is able to lift depression. It is said this is due to its ability to alter brain waves and combine the ability to stimulate and sedate.