Natural Prostate Health

As men age, a commonly occurring problem is enlargement of the prostate. In the medical community, it is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and is considered benign because it is not cancer. However, as the prostate enlarges it often narrows or blocks the urinary pathway, obstructing the urine flow; this is a nuisance and can lead to urinary system infections.

What are Signs of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

More than 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 59 have signs of prostate enlargement, and by age 70, more than 90% of men have symptoms of BPH.

Symptoms include:

• Increased frequency of urination
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder
• Difficulty initiating urine flow
• Dribbling after urination ends
• Blood in the urine or pain during urination
• Getting up to urinate throughout the night
• Bladder and kidney infections or UTIs
• Interrupted urine flow
• Weak urine stream
• Strain while urinating

Symptoms of enlarged prostate should not be ignored. Because they are similar to symptoms of early stage prostate cancer, it is best to check with a doctor. Also, the prostate gland can become so enlarged that it completely blocks the urethra causing urinary retention that backs up into the kidneys and could become life-threatening. A diagnosis by a licensed healthcare professional is recommended upon experiencing any symptoms.

What Causes an Enlarged Prostate?

Changes in hormone levels cause the prostate gland to enlarge.

About 10% of the testosterone in men is converted into another androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which supports the development of male sexual characteristics. An accumulation of DHT in the prostate stimulates the cells to continue to multiply so that tissues of the prostate gland enlarge.

When testosterone levels fall as men age, estrogen, which men produce in smaller amounts, is more abundant in proportion. Because estrogen also inhibits the elimination of DHT, it promotes the accumulation of DHT in the prostate tissue stimulating it to enlarge.

Additional estrogenic activity is introduced through environmental pollutants such as pesticides and plastics that contain BPA.

Common sources of estrogen are the one-time use water bottles and other disposable drink bottles. Plastic food packaging and food storage containers also leach BPA and other plastic estrogen-like substances into food. Packaging and plastics used in microwaving food transfer even more hormone disrupting substances into food and thus, the body.

Additional contributing factors for prostate enlargement include diet and mineral deficiencies. For instance, a diet low in zinc, protein and essential fatty acids can contribute to enlargement of the prostate. An imbalance of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids in foods eaten, and consumption of transfats (altered, heated fats often with solvents, found in most processed foods and snacks including breakfast cereals, potato and corn chips, bakery goods and processed meats), can also be contributing factors.

Dietary Changes

A healthy diet requires the elimination of sugar, transfats, and refined and/or processed foods with additives that lower immune system response, provide insufficient nutrients, and overload the body with toxic chemicals.

A healthy diet should focus on clean whole foods of all types. Proteins and fats support prostate health, unless they come from conventionally/industrially raised animals who are typically treated with hormones for growth. Grass-fed meats are also leaner and have a good balance of Omega3 to Omega 6 fatty acids, so they are preferred for healthier eating. Include deeply-colored ripe, high-antioxidant green, red and orange vegetables and fruits in your diet. Sea vegetables support health with amino acids and an abundance of minerals. Vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts and a moderate to low amount of whole grains and legumes, all should be eaten as fresh and unprocessed as possible.

It is a great idea to consider adding a nutrient-rich organic plant-based superfood supplement to your diet, like our Vital Nutrition Plus. More energy and more nutritional means being less hunger, and less inclination to cheat with unhealthy foods and snacks.

Zinc

A high priority is to increase your zinc intake because is supportive of the prostate. We recommend food sources rather than a daily pill because taking too much zinc is also not beneficial. Oysters and other shellfish contain the highest amount, followed by red meat.

Nut and seeds, like cashews and pumpkins seeds contain zinc in the plant world, as well as some being found in beans and legumes. These nuts, seeds and beans, however, contain substances called phytates, which, to protect the plants, reduce the amount of minerals that can be absorbed from them, so soaking or sprouting is recommended to improve their nutritional profile.

You can also add to your zinc by:
snacking on these Superfood Bars, whose healthy fats and well-rounded nutrition enhance absorption.,
or take some Quercetin-Zinc capsules for a period of time.

Make any salt consumption count by using Celtic Sea Salt, an excellent source of extra trace minerals important for body function.

Vitamin C is great support for the prostate with its antioxidant activity. You can get natural Vitamin C from fresh vegetables like raw bell peppers (which have 195% of your daily intake in one whole cup), hot peppers, horseradish, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts and onions. Unfortunately, vegetables lose a significant amount Vitamin C during cooking as well as in long transport and refrigeration times in store or home. Our current supplement containing Vitamin C in a capsule is SuperQuercetin, with important nutritional co-factors like quercetin, bromelain, bioflavinoids and CoQ10 for overall immune and circulatory health.

Our tasty, convenient, all-in-one Tonic Supreme Concentrate also contains Vitamin C naturally in onions, horseradish and cayenne in apple cider vinegar with garlic, which can all be beneficial to support a healthy prostate.

Lifestyle Changes

Caffeine can cause an increase in frequency of urination and the feeling of urgency. It increases how fast the kidneys produce urine so the bladder fills faster. Caffeine also raises sensation and contractions in the bladder, so for men with BPH, it might be best to eliminate coffee and other drinks containing caffeine. Chocolate contains a similar substance which can irritate the bladder, so eat with moderation.

Discontinue using plastic disposable beverage bottles and food containers. Bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical in these plastics , is an issue because it is known to mimic the activities of estrogen and affect the endocrine system, as well as having other detrimental effects on the body. Choose foods packed in glass rather than cans whenever possible because the linings of cans usually contain unstated BPA. New chemicals used as substitutes for BPA often have similar effects but are so new that they don't have many evaulation studies or reports yet.

So buying and using less plastics for food can seriously reduce the amount of dangerous estrogenic substances ingested. Getting rid of the microwave with all the plastic packaging involved, and doing real cooking instead, also protects and improves one's health.

Avoid contact with pesticides on food because these are often hormone-based chemicals and can disrupt your hormones. This is a big factor in reproductive health, and is one reason that eating organic foods is far more healthy! You may also contact pesticides in the home and yard or garden and should look for natural alternatives for pesticides to avoid hormone disruption.

Our Liver Cleanse Duo supports the liver in its function of breaking down chemicals and excess hormones and removing them from the bloodstream.
Consider also supporting liver detoxification with a product designed to attract accumulated toxins, chemical residues and heavy metals that may be released as you cleanse, and safely escort them out of your body.Intestinal Cleanse 2 scrubs the system.
See our Total Internal Body Cleanse for a fresh start on your journey to better health by addressing the complete system: gastrointestinal tract, liver and gall bladder, urinary tract and kidneys, and blood and lymph, in a 3-4 week cleanse.

Review all medications you may be taking, both prescription and over the counter. Many medications such as antihistamines, diuretics, decongestants, opiates and tricyclic antidepressants can exacerbate symptoms of BPH. Do not discontinue prescription medications without consulting your healthcare provider, but do consider making an appointment to discuss your options.

• Get more exercise. Inactivity can promote urine retention.
• Limit liquids at night, but drink fluids spread out throughout the day to prevent dehydration which is bad for the kidneys and urinary tract.
• Urinate when you first feel the urge so that you avoid damage to the bladder muscles.
• Keep warm: colder temperatures promote urine retention and increase feelings of urgency.
• Go to the bathroom when you have the opportunity, do not wait until you have to.
• Schedule bathroom visits. Going at the same time every day can help "train" the bladder.
• After urination, try to urinate again a few minutes later - this is called double voiding.
• Reduce stress.
• Do Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor.

Herbal Support

The most commonly suggested natural support option for the prostate is Saw Palmetto. Nettle and pygeum also support healthy, normal prostate size and urinary flow as well as help to maintain a healthy inflammatory response. A tonic made with all of these can support healthy maintenance of the prostate.

French Grape seed extract is also known as a supplement that may support a healthy hormone balance in both men and women and healthy cells. This one is well-absorbed.

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