How To Add More Pomegranate Juice To Your Diet
You can buy pomegranate juice at most grocery stores. If drinking the juice plain is too intense, consider diluting it with plain water or adding some sparkling water.
You can also add pomegranate seeds to homemade salad dressing to sweeten up your favorite salad.
Summary
Pomegranates are high in antioxidants. Animal and test-tube studies have shown that pomegranate juice could inhibit the production of some prostate cancer cells.
The Truth About Herbal Supplements And Your Prostate Health
Whether you have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer or youre trying to take preventive measures to avoid it, its tempting to turn to alternative or complementary medical therapy. Were here to set the record straight about how vitamins and herbal supplements affect your prostate health.
But before we go any further, lets say this: we know that coping with any form of cancer is never simple. Sometimes traditional treatments arent as effective as youd like them to be or what you expected. One of the biggest alternatives is over-the-counter supplements and herbs. You should always check with your Pittston urologist before you start taking any kind of new medications. Lets take a look at some of the most common alternative remedies, potential side effects, issues, etc.
Is Zinc Good For An Enlarged Prostate
We have already noted that zinc plays a role in the immune system. We also cited a study that showed how zinc modulated certain transcription factors and, in turn, has a role in inflammatory responses.
Another study, published in the Journal of Inflammopharmacology, looked at how zinc affected inflammatory responses throughout the entire human body.
The researchers behind the study explain that the mineral zinc influences the specific immune responses that are involved in inflammation. Appropriate levels of the zinc mineral in the human body seem to exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect.
Since it has been established that zinc does play a role in the regulation of inflammatory responses, we can proceed to look at what an enlarged prostate is.
While the cause behind this condition still remains a mystery in many cases, researchers do know that an enlarged prostate means there is inflammation affecting this particular gland.
A clinical trial, published in the Indian Journal of Urology, looked at the zinc status of patients who had previously been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia . There was also a group of patients with prostate carcinoma involved in the study the same tests were performed on participants in this group.
Levels of zinc were measured in prostate tissue. Researchers also tested the zinc/creatinine ratio in the urine of all participants who were part of the study.
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The 7 Best Prostate Health Supplements
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As a result, enlargement or inflammation of the prostate can negatively affect sexual function and urination.
In general, three main problems can occur in the prostate (
- Prostatitis: inflammation or infection of the prostate
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia : age-related enlargement of the prostate
- Prostate cancer: a form of cancer that occurs in the prostate. Its the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide and fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in men.
While supplements cannot treat or cure these conditions, limited research suggests that some may help ease symptoms that are associated with prostate inflammation (
New Chapter Prostate 5lx
New Chapter has a prostate supplement that provides a more focused dosage of a small number of proven ingredients
The only trace element present is selenium, but theres a bit more variety with the herbal supplements. Its an okay choice, but it would be nice to see a broader variety of trace elements included to shore up any potential deficits, which are common among older men.
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To Learn More About Cam
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health facilitates research and evaluation of complementary and alternative practices, and provides information about a variety of approaches to health professionals and the public.
- NCCAM Clearinghouse
- Post Office Box 7923 Gaithersburg, MD 20898â7923
- Telephone: 1â888â644â6226 301â519â3153
- TTY : 1â866â464â3615
- Fax: 1â866â464â3616
- Web site:
CAM on PubMed
NCCAM and the NIH National Library of Medicine jointly developed CAM on PubMed, a free and easy-to-use search tool for finding CAM-related journal citations. As a subset of the NLM’s PubMed bibliographic database, CAM on PubMed features more than 230,000 references and abstracts for CAM-related articles from scientific journals. This database also provides links to the Web sites of over 1,800 journals, allowing users to view full-text articles. CAM on PubMed is available through the NCCAM Web site. It can also be accessed through NLM PubMed bibliographic database by selecting the “Limits” tab and choosing “Complementary Medicine” as a subset.
Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration regulates drugs and medical devices to ensure that they are safe and effective.
- Food and Drug Administration
What Can You Do For Bph
According to a statistic from cancer.net approximately 161,360 men are diagnosed with cancer of the prostate in the US alone.
With benign prostatic hyperplasia being the most common prostate-related issue that men deal with, also called prostate enlargement, one particular common question is what can be done in order to reduce the symptoms of this condition.
Fortunately, there are numerous options that a man can utilize to assist with relieving the inflammation and discomfort, as well as the urinary tract symptoms, caused by this condition.
According to Mayo Clinic, the treatment options presented to a patient diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia depends on several factors, including their age, current health status, the severity of their symptoms and the level of enlargement experienced in their prostate.
The particular treatment options may include the use of alpha-blockers, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, Tadalafil, or combination drug therapy.
In some cases, surgical approaches may also be recommended.
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Diet & Exercise Tips For Prostate Health
“What can I eat to reduce my risk of developing prostate cancer?” This is one of the most common questions physicians hear from men concerned about prostate health. Undoubtedly, many hope that their doctor will rattle off a list of foods guaranteed to shield them from disease. Although some foods have been linked with reduced risk of prostate cancer, proof that they really work is lacking, at least for now.
Q: Will Taking Supplements Improve My Prostate Health
A: Because supplements do not have to go through clinical trials or get FDA approval, we have very little data on many of them.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy
Saw palmetto is probably the most common supplement used to promote prostate health. Most people take 320 milligrams per day. But while it may help with mild voiding difficulties, European studies have not shown a lot of benefits.
Many studies have also looked at zinc, but zinc has fallen out of favor it doesnt do a whole heck of a lot.
At one time, lycopene was thought to decrease prostate cancer risk and possibly help with voiding. But those findings were later refuted.
Vitamin E was also believed to hold benefits for prostate health. This has also been refuted. Also, we now know that vitamin E has negative cardiovascular effects, so we strongly advise against taking excess vitamin E.
The bottom line: While some prostate supplements may show mild benefit, many men will see no benefit whatsoever from them.
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Potential Side Effects Of Zinc
Compared to other metal ions, zinc is relatively harmless. Only exposure to excessive amounts of zinc will result in toxicity. Zinc intoxication is an extremely rare event.
The human body usually contains anywhere between 2 to 3 grams of zinc, 90% of which is found in the muscles and bones. When zinc is ingested, it travels to the small intestine where it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Zinc toxicity interferes with the absorption of copper as well, leading to signs and symptoms of copper deficiency. These are the signs and symptoms of zinc toxicity:
- Nausea
There are three main ways in which zinc can enter the human body. These are:
- Inhalation
- Through the Skin
- Oral Ingestion
Inhalation of zinc is typically only experienced by industrial workers, such as those in manufacturing. Inhalation of zinc causes metal fume fever, which causes fever, muscle aches, fatigue, chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.
Another unconventional way in which zinc is absorbed is through the skin. Zinc is a well-known supplement that has been used to treat wounds topically, as it promotes wound healing. However, the concentrations of zinc in these supplements are not significant enough for skin absorption to be considerable.
Because zinc is a trace element, oral intake of sufficient quantities is essential for survival. The recommended dietary allowance of zinc is 11mg/day for men and 8mg/day for women. There are several naturally occurring sources of zinc :
Enlarged Prostate Many Options To Treat This Common Problem
ROCHESTER, Minn. More than half of men in their 60s experience symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate gland. Add another decade or two, and nearly all men experience symptoms that may include a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, stopping and starting while urinating, and an urgent need to urinate.
The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers how the prostate gland changes with age and ways to find relief for whats technically termed benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The prostate gland is just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra through which urine passes out of the body. After puberty, the prostate gland is about the size of a walnut. As men age, the prostate gland can increase in size, pressing on the urethra and interfering with urine flow.
Men with mildly enlarged prostate glands and mild symptoms may not need immediate treatment. Studies have shown that up to one-third of mild cases clear up without treatment.
When treatment is needed, the focus is on reducing troubling symptoms and restoring normal urinary tract function. Several medication options are available for men with mild-to-moderate symptoms. Therapies include:
Alpha blockers: These drugs relax the bladder neck muscles and muscle fibers in the prostate. They help increase urine flow and reduce the need to urinate as often. Medications in this category are terazosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, alfuzosin and silodosin.
Surgery options include:
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Exercise Caution Before Employing Natural Remedies In Lieu Of Medicine Therapy
Coping with prostate disease is never easy. You may find that established treatments are not always particularly effective and you may want to try other more natural methods for prostate cancer, such as herbs and supplements. But you should use them with caution, and always check with your doctor before taking any new type of medication.
An estimated one-third of American men with prostate cancer use at least one form of complementary medicine therapy, including herbs and supplements. Some studies have suggested herbs and supplements might help with prostate cancer treatment and support. But the main concern is that some herbs and supplements can interact with each other, or with your prescribed medications. For example, they may enhance the effects of some medications or negate any benefit.
One of the most common interactions involves herbs like St. John’s wort that affect the liver by acting on cytochrome P450 enzymes, which metabolize drugs.
Other herbs, like saw palmetto, which some men take for benign prostatic hyperplasia and melatonin supplements, which some men take in hopes it will slow the progression of prostate cancer, may increase their risk of bleeding when taken with other drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, anticoagulants, or antiplatelet medications.
Another issue is that it’s not 100% clear if herbs and supplements might protect against prostate cancer or slow its growth. There are also concerns they may even increase your risk.
Studies On Vitamin D And Prostate Health
In a study published in 1998 in the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a group of researchers investigated the possible increased risk of prostate cancer in 3 types of vitamin D receptor polymorphism.
The results of this study found no such link between the receptor polymorphism and prostate cancer except in men older than 61 years and with low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.
A 1993 study published in the same journal evaluated the link between prostate cancer and two vitamin metabolites . For this study, the researchers measured the vitamin levels from the 250,000 serum samples collected over 7 years.
The results of the study showed that low levels of 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D increases the risk of prostate cancer in men older than 57 years.
In a 1997 study published in the journal, Urology, a group of researchers investigated the effect of 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D on the growth and metastasis of tumors in the prostate glands of a line of rat models.
This study showed that vitamin D can prevent the differentiation and spread of prostate cancer cells.
A similar study done on human prostate cancer cell lines was published in 1993 in the journal, Endocrinology. The researchers demonstrated that 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D stopped the proliferation and differentiation of human prostate carcinoma cells.
This result confirms that the benefits of vitamin D in improving prostate health, especially for prostate cancer patients.
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Garden Of Life Dr Formulated Probiotics Prostate+
Price: $$$
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Prostate+ is a high-quality product thats gluten-free, non-GMO verified, and third-party tested by NSF. Its also unique in that it targets both your gut and prostate health.
Each two-capsule serving contains 164 mg of a shelf-stable probiotic blend. Probiotics are beneficial gut bacteria that have been linked to several benefits for health, including supporting your immune system and boosting digestive health .
While more research is needed, bacterial imbalances in the gut are thought to be another potential risk factor for prostate inflammation and prostate cancer .
This supplement also contains organic cranberry powder, which has been suggested to help improve prostate health.
In one 6-month study, 42 men with elevated PSA levels were given 1,500 mg of cranberry extract daily .
At the end of the study, those taking the cranberry extract had significant improvements in urinary symptoms and lowered PSA levels (
When buying supplements, its always important to purchase from a brand and retailer that you trust. Additionally, look for products that are free of or contain very few artificial additives.
While the FDA regulates dietary supplements, it does so differently than how it regulates pharmaceuticals .
To ensure quality and accuracy, look for supplements that are manufactured in a GMP-certified facility and third-party tested by an organization like USP, NSF, or ISO.
Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto Supplement
Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto gets right to the point. There are no questionable ingredients, no artificial additives and no need to take out a second mortgage to purchase their outstanding supplement. What they offer is saw palmetto. 500 mg in each capsule.
What we like: 500 mg of saw palmetto in each capsule. Most customers agree it is one of the more potent and effective supplements for enhancing urinary tract health and reducing incontinence. It is also quite affordable.
Flaws: A lot of asterisks in their marketing.
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Stay Active To Support Prostate Health
In addition to eating a healthy diet, you should stay active. Regular exercise pares down your risk of developing some deadly problems, including heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. And although relatively few studies have directly assessed the impact of exercise on prostate health, those that have been done have concluded, for the most part, that exercise is beneficial. For example:
Get more information and the latest news about prostate health at www.HarvardProstateKnowledge.org.
What Are The Causes Of An Enlarged Prostate
In a vast majority of cases, BPH is idiopathic, meaning it has no known cause. Doctors and researchers are still trying to figure out exactly how and why some peoples prostate cells start to divide abnormally.
But most cases of BPH impact men of at least 40 years of age, most commonly those 50 years of age and older. So most studies suggest that BPH is related to hormonal changes, specifically those that occur naturally with age.
As men grow older, their hormone levels change, especially levels of testosterone, estrogen, and a by-product of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone .
A few studies have shown that changes in the balance of these hormones may trigger some prostate cells to abnormally grow and divide.
Potential risk factors of an enlarged prostate include:
- age
- heart disease
- Asian heritage or descent
Most men have a 50 percent chance of having BPH by the age of 60 years old, and a 90 percent chance by the age of 85 years old.
Several types of foods and nutrients can reduce or trigger BPH and its associated symptoms.
Foods that may be beneficial to BPH include:
Foods people with BPH, or those at risk of developing it, should avoid or limit include:
- caffeine
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