Top Supplements for Prostrate Health
As men age, the prostate slowly grows, and by age 60, more than half of all men have symptoms of an enlarged prostate. By age 80, more than 90 percent of men have signs of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia)—an enlargement of the prostate common in older men.
The American Cancer Society emphasizes a diet rich in plant-based foods for cancer prevention. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables have been associated with a decreased risk of cancer development. Choose whole-grain options high in fiber—shown to help decrease the risk of developing many types of cancers—and maintain a balanced, Mediterranean-like diet, including:
Healthy Protein
- Fish
- Poultry
- Eggs
Healthy Fats
- Olive oil
- Avocados
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
Vegetables & Legumes
Leafy green vegetables
Beans
Simple Lifestyle Changes Support Prostate Health
In addition to eating the right foods, simple changes to the things we do every day can help support a healthy prostate. These include:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular exercise
- Hydrate—and urinate—frequently
- Avoid long periods of sitting
- Stop smoking and drink less alcohol
- Increase levels of vitamin D
- Manage stress
- Stay sexually active
- Exercise to Reduce BPH
Exercise has numerous benefits for overall health. For example, in an ongoing study at Harvard, men who increased physical activity were less likely to suffer from BPH. Even activities such as walking regularly at a moderate pace yielded benefits.
In Italy, researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial on men with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. One group walked briskly three times a week. The second group did non-aerobic exercises of sit-ups, leg lifts and stretching. Overall, both groups reported improvement in symptoms, but the group who walked briskly had lower levels of pain, anxiety and depression.
Additionally, the ERASE trial showed a 12-week regimen of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) not only improved cardiovascular fitness among men with localized prostate cancer, it also decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA velocity and prostate cancer cell growth.
Supplementation for Prostate Health
It is crucial to not ignore any symptoms of BPH or prostate cancer, despite the discomfort of the topic. Prostate health becomes a more serious issue with age and it is important to get checked regularly by a physician. Take the preventive approach with prostate cancer screenings coupled with proper nutrition and supplementation.
Lycopene for Naturally Protecting Prostate Health
Lycopene—found in cooked tomatoes, red grapefruit and watermelon—is a powerful antioxidant that works to protect prostate health. Several studies find that populations with higher dietary lycopene intake have lower rates of BPH and prostate cancer.
Saw Palmetto Extract
Long used in Europe for the management of BPH symptoms, saw palmetto is a plant extract that works to protect against the irritating symptoms of an enlarged prostate. While saw palmetto does not shrink the overall size of the prostate, it seems to shrink the inner lining that puts pressure on the tubes that carry urine. A clinical trial conducted in 2021 concluded that saw palmetto extract was a safe and effective nutrient for the treatment of chronic prostatitis—inflammation of the prostate gland—as did a meta-analysis of 27 studies using the fatty acid form of saw palmetto. Men taking blood thinners such as Coumadin or Warfarin should not take the supplement as saw palmetto may increase bleeding.
Saw palmetto does not shrink the overall size of the prostate, but it seems to shrink the inner lining that puts pressure on the tubes that carry urine. Men taking blood thinners (such as Coumadin or Warfarin) should not take Cooper Complete Prostate Health as saw palmetto may increase bleeding.
Pygeum
Also a powerful antioxidant, pygeum is another plant extract that can improve urinary function in men who experience mild to moderate symptoms of BPH. It works to reduce urinary hesitancy and frequency, including during the overnight hours. Pygeum does not reduce the size of the prostate gland or reverse the progression of BPH but instead aids in symptom relief. Benefits include:
A prospective interventional study showed pygeum extract—either alone or in combination with antibiotics—improved urinary symptoms caused by chronic prostatitis, as well as sexual function, through its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Probiotic Supplements
Men at high risk of prostate cancer share a specific gut microbial profile which could be an effective tool for prostate health screening. Altering the gut microbiome—the trillions of microorganisms that play key roles in the operation of our bodies—with prebiotic or probiotic supplementation may help prevent or delay the development of prostate cancer, according to the NIH.
Zinc for Better Prsotrate Health
Greater than 50 percent of men over age 60 have BPH, as well as low zinc levels. More than 16 studies have reported significantly decreased zinc levels of up to 80 percent in men with prostate cancer. High levels of zinc are important in maintaining prostate health and function through their role in aiding the prostate gland’s production and secretion of citrate—a major component of prostatic fluid.
Fiber Supplements
Just as a diet high in fiber helps reduce the risk of cancer development, adding a dietary supplement contining fiber is another way to support good prostate health. Fiber lowers cholesterol and blood sugar and decreases the incidence of colon polyps, colon cancer and possibly prostate cancer.
Quercetin
A flavonoid commonly found in fruits, vegetables and herbs, quercetin is an antioxidant that helps fight inflammation. The American Cancer Society emphasizes a diet rich in plant-based foods for cancer prevention. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables have been associated with a decreased risk of cancer development.
Choose whole-grain options high in fiber—shown to help decrease the risk of developing many types of cancers—and maintain a balanced, Mediterranean-like diet, including:
Healthy Proteins Such as:
- Fish
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Healthy Fats
- Olive oil
- Avocados
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Vegetables & Legumes
- Leafy green vegetables
- Beans
Simple Lifestyle Changes Support Prostate Health
In addition to eating the right foods, simple changes to the things we do every day can help support a healthy prostate. These include:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular exercise
- Hydrate—and urinate—frequently
- Avoid long periods of sitting
- Stop smoking and drink less alcohol
- Increase levels of vitamin D
- Manage stress
- Stay sexually active
- Exercise to Reduce BPH
Exercise has numerous benefits for overall health. For example, in an ongoing study at Harvard, men who increased physical activity were less likely to suffer from BPH. Even activities such as walking regularly at a moderate pace yielded benefits.
In Italy, researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial on men with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. One group walked briskly three times a week. The second group did non-aerobic exercises of sit-ups, leg lifts and stretching. Overall, both groups reported improvement in symptoms, but the group who walked briskly had lower levels of pain, anxiety and depression.
Additionally, the ERASE trial showed a 12-week regimen of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) not only improved cardiovascular fitness among men with localized prostate cancer, it also decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA velocity and prostate cancer cell growth.
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