Get Ahead of Prostate Problems — 5 Proven Methods to Safeguard Your Health
Ask anyone and they’ll probably tell you that someone they know — a spouse, father, brother, a friend, or coworker — has experienced prostate problems. Estimates show that half of all men over 60 will have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. And by age 85, that number skyrockets to 90%!
BPH and prostate inflammation in general are characterized by difficulty urinating and/or the frequent need to urinate, especially at night, dribbling, blood in the urine, painful ejaculation, and stiffness in the lower back and pelvic area — these are all signs of prostate problems.
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to slash your risk of prostate cancer, as well as prevent common prostate issues. Here are five ways to keep your prostate healthy according to a leading integrative doctor.
1. Fuel Your Body: The Best Foods to Eat for Prostate Health
Multiple studies have shown that following a whole-foods diet, particularly a Mediterranean-style diet, helps reduce a man’s odds of developing prostate cancer or other prostate issues.
Not surprisingly, antioxidant-rich vegetables are strongly associated with a reduced risk of BPH. Dietary intake of lycopene (found in tomatoes and watermelon) and zinc (oysters, crab lobsters, seeds) have both been shown to cut a man’s risk of prostate cancer.
Foods high in polyphenols — including berries, cocoa powder, olives, flaxseeds, nuts, coffee, and tea — appear to offer extra protection against prostate cancer according to research.
Foods that contain the plant compound beta-sitosterol are particularly healing to the prostate. These include avocado, peanuts, wheat germ, rice, bran, and soybeans.
Other great foods to emphasize: omega-3-rich fish like salmon (anti-inflammatory), pumpkin seeds, medicinal mushrooms, green tea, and tempeh, which is high in prostate-protective isoflavones.
Foods to limit for prostate health, according to research, include conventional red meat, processed meat, smoked or cured meat, and dairy. If you occasionally have meat, make it organic, grass-fed beef, which is high in prostate-supportive nutrients, including selenium, zinc, and the beneficial fat conjugated linoleic acid.
2. Unlock the Power of Exercise
Exercise is key to keeping your prostate healthy and lowering your risk of prostate cancer. In one study from the International Journal of Epidemiology, men who had a variation in their genetic code that corresponded with greater physical activity, had up to 50% reduced risk of prostate cancer. This study echoes previous research showing that regular exercise helps cut the risk of prostate cancer and other prostate issues.
Yoga may be a particularly good option — strengthening pelvic floor muslces helps promote better bladder control and can decrease BPH symptoms, say yoga instructors.
3. Start Taking Daily Prostate Supplements
There are several standout nutrients for prostate health — and research backs up their efficacy. These natural and researched ingredients can give you the boost of protection you need.
Superstar ingredients include turmeric, quercetin, pomegranate, pygeum, saw palmetto, and pumpkin seed oil. Other additions, such as vitamin D, DIM, nettle leaf and alpha lipoic acid, provid much-needed immune and hormonal support.*
4. Discover the Key to Getting Enough Vitamin D
Low levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of BPH. Other research from the National Cancer Institute shows higher levels of vitamin D are linked to lower PSA numbers.
It’s important to prioritize getting enough vitamin D. Here are three simple ways to boost your vitamin D levels naturally:
Spend 15–20 minutes outside in the sun on most days. Make sure some part of your body that is not covered in sunscreen is exposed to sunlight. Sitting by a window won’t cut it, unfortunately. Most glass blocks UVB rays, which are responsible for vitamin D production.
Take a vitamin D supplement and/or a combination formula that contains ample vitamin D. Get your vitamin D level checked with a blood test to gauge your needs. Always combine your vitamin D supplement with a little fat (e.g., a spoonful of full-fat yogurt or olive oil). Store away from light, heat, and humidity.
Because vitamin D is both ingested and manufactured by the body, getting enough through diet can be challenging. There simply aren’t that many D-rich foods — and it’s worth noting several of them (e.g., milk) are actually fortified with the nutrient.
The best source of vitamin D is wild, cold water fish, such as salmon and sardines. Cod liver oil is an exceptionally good source as well. Egg yolks are also rich in the vitamin.
Mushrooms also provide a boost of vitamin D, particularly shiitake. One study in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that three specific medicinal mushrooms — reishi, shiitake, and maitake — are particularly packed with vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. “Sun-exposed mushrooms may be an excellent dietary response for addressing the significant world-wide incidence of vitamin D deficiency,” say the researchers.
5. Master Stress Management
Stress can have a major toll on your health, so ensure you take some time to yourself to breathe, meditate, or practice self care. When you find calm and relax, you release stress and tension and can reduce the risk of burnout, not to mention serious health issues.
By actively supporting prostate health with natural daily steps, you can protect your long-term prostate and urinary health, your vitality and quality of life. Start today.
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