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
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