As men age, they may notice prostate health problems they’ve never had to deal with before. If enlarged prostate is waking you up at night to urinate or causing you discomfort during the day, you can turn to natural treatments for prostate health. Certain foods and vitamin supplements can help ease the discomfort of prostate disease and help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
What Causes Enlarged Prostate?
Enlarged prostate is, unfortunately, a natural part of aging in men. Half of men over 50 years of age do not notice this change. However, the other half does and this growth can contribute to lasting health problems. There are three common prostate diseases that may negatively affect a man’s health. They are:
- Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
The most common type of prostate disease men have to contend with is benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH. Men with BPH often experience frequent urge to urinate, urination at night, weak urine stream, and inability to completely empty the bladder.
- Prostatitis
Prostatitis is another common prostate problem faced by men of any age. Basically put, prostatitis is a fancy name for inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can be caused by a bacterial infection or a non-bacterial cause such as allergies or asthma. Men with severe allergies are most at risk for developing this type of prostate problem.
- Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most difficult of all the prostate diseases. Once prostate disease turns into cancer, it can be more problematic to treat. Symptoms of prostate cancer are much the same as symptoms of BPH. These include blood in the urine, frequent urination urges, difficulty with urine stream, and inability to completely empty the bladder.
Another common symptom of prostate disease in men is erectile dysfunction. Many men do not associate this common sexual dysfunction with their prostate health, but they should. Sometimes, all it takes is treating the prostate to heal erectile dysfunction.
Natural Treatments for Prostate Health
There are plenty of surgical options for men dealing with prostate problems but there are also natural options for men to try. These include foods and supplements that help improve prostate health naturally.
Foods to Improve Prostate Health
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are filled with lycopene, a natural supplement that can cut a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer by half. So take every opportunity to consume salsa, pasta sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, and tomato juice. It’s good for you!
- Pumpkin Seeds
German doctors use pumpkin seeds to improve prostate health in men with benign prostate disease. Eating shelled, unsalted pumpkin seeds can help naturally shrink swollen tissue and ease difficult urination.
- Fish
Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are loaded with essential omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids nourish the body and relieve prostate inflammation.
- Fresh Vegetables
Fresh steamed or boiled vegetables are chock full of necessary nutrients to help your body heal itself. Dark, leafy greens are especially good for any man with prostate disease.
Supplements to Improve Prostate Health
- Saw Palmetto
Urinary hesitancy and weak flow can be corrected by this natural supplement. Saw palmetto works to alter hormone levels and reduce prostate swelling.
- Red Clover
Red clover inhibits dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and helps inhibit cancerous growth with a high level of antioxidants.
- Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is an ideal supplement for men with non-bacterial prostatitis as it shrinks the inflamed prostate and reduces allergy symptoms.
- Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps improve circulation, which can ease the discomfort and inflammation of an enlarged prostate.
- Lycopene
Lycopene is found in tomatoes but can also be taken in a stronger, supplement form. Studies have proven that lycopene reduces the oxidative stress caused by prostate disease and prostate cancer.
- African Tree Bark
Used in conjunction with saw palmetto, African tree bark can help reduce inflammation and swelling of the prostate. Studies have also indicated this natural remedy can help prevent the development of tumors in men with BPH.
- Zinc
Many men living with prostate disease and low testosterone have a zinc deficiency. It is one of the most common mineral deficiencies among men of every age. Adding a zinc supplement to your diet can help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
- Complete Dietary Supplements
If the thought of downing all of these individual supplements is a little intimidating, you can also get the health benefits you need from a complete prostate health supplement for men.
If your prostate disease is benign, you can reverse the effects with natural foods and remedies. Men whose prostate problems do not improve or get worse after using diet and supplement treatments should speak with their doctor about other alternative options.
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