The Problem
Approximately 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States making this disease the second most common form of cancer occurring in male patients next to skin cancer. Approximately 40,000 men die annually in the United States from prostate cancer. This makes prostate cancer second only to lung cancer, which is the leading cause of death from cancer in male patients.
A more common male age related health issue is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the innermost part of the prostate. BPH frequently results in a gradual squeezing of the part of the urethra that runs through the prostate and the inability to completely empty the bladder. This causes patients to experience a frequent urge to urinate and a burning sensation or similar discomfort during urination.
Most males will eventually suffer from BPH. The incidence of BPH for men between the ages of 50-59 is 50 percent and rises to 80 percent by the age of 80. In the United States, an estimated 30 million men aged 50 and over have enlarged prostates. Even though a man’s prostate typically begins to enlarge at age 45, 10 percent of men 25 to 30 years old also have BPH.
Prostatitis, a general term that denotes inflammation of the prostate, is considered the most common urologic disease in men afflicting 25 to 30 percent of all adult males. This includes chronic bacterial prostatitis, nonbacterial prostatitis, and/or prostatodynia.
Proactive Recommendations:
 |
Examination -
Annual medical examination is recommended for all men age
50 and
over. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African
American
men should begin annual exams no later than age 40. Early
diagnosis provides more options. |
|
Nutrition
and Diet - A proper and balanced diet is the cornerstone
of a healthy lifestyle. A diet high in complex carbohydrates,
low in fat (especially saturated fat), supported by adequate
protein and water intake, is the best medicine. Avoidance of
smoking, and minimizing use of red meat, caffeine, and alcohol,
is a general health rule that is frequently suggested for proper
prostate health. |
|
Exercise
and Fitness - Exercise should be a priority and not an option.
Strength training using weight resistance exercise is recommended
three times weekly for a minimum of 30 minutes to maintain
muscle mass and bone density. Aerobic exercise is recommended
for three to six sessions weekly for a minimum of 20 minutes
to increase cardiovascular health and reduce stress. |
|
Supplementation -
The addition to the male diet of various vitamins, minerals,
antioxidants,
and herbs are often recommended for maintenance and support
of the prostate. These recommendations are based on clinical
research, studies, and a general consensus in both the medical
and holistic communities that certain supplements may aid in
supporting normal male prostate function. |
General Information and Selected Studies:
Saw Palmetto Berry Extract
Saw Palmetto is a small palm tree with large leaves and large deep
red-blackberries. The berries were used by the American Indians
as a general tonic to nourish the body, but were also used in the
treatment of genito-urinary tract problems including enuresis,
nocturia, and urinary tract disorders. Recent clinical trials have
shown that saw palmetto berries are helpful in the treatment of
benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Saw Palmetto berries contain an oil with a variety of fatty acids and phytosterols. These fatty acids include capric, caprylic, caproic, lauric, palmitic, and oleic acid and their ethyl esters. The major phytosterols are beta-sitosterol, stig masterol, cycloartenol, stigmas terol, cycloartenol, lupeol, lupenone, and 24-methyl-cycloartenol. The fat-soluble extract of saw palmetto berries has been shown to inhibit the conversion of testosterone (DHT), which is thought to be responsible for the enlargement of the prostate. In addition saw palmetto extract inhibits the binding of DHT to receptors thus blocking DHT's action and promoting the breakdown of the potent compound.
Saw palmetto dietary supplements
are primarily used to improve urinary flow and reduce the frequency
and urgency of urination in men with
prostate enlargement. Saw palmetto is believed to inhibit the actions
of testosterone on the prostate that cause prostate enlargement and
interference with urinary flow. Timothy J. Wilt, M.D., M.P.H. led
a study of 18 randomized controlled trials, 16 double-blinded, involving
2,939 men to review the therapeutic efficacy and safety of saw palmetto
extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and concluded “the
available evidence suggests that extracts from the saw palmetto plant
improve urinary tract symptoms and flow measurement in men with BPH.”
(Source: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 1998)
Selenium
Selenium has become one of the most exciting nutrients of the 1070’s
and 1980’s. Once classified solely as a toxic mineral, it is
now regarded as an essential one, needed in small daily amounts.
Selenium functions as a component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase,
which accounts for its antioxidant function. Selenium
and vitamin E work together synergistically in that they carry out
antioxidant and immunostimulating functions better together than
individually; however, their mechanisms of action are probably not
the same. Both of these nutrients are part of the “anti-aging” or “longevity” group,
which may be directly attributable to their antioxidant functions.
(Source: Excerpted from “Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The
Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine,” Elson M.
Haas, M.D.)
Lycopene
Recent studies indicate that regular consumption of tomatoes and
tomato products may be helpful. Lycopene, the carotenoid
responsible for the red color of tomatoes and one of four main
carotenoids normally found in
human blood and tissue, was identified as the main protective component.
Studies show that lycopene is a scavenger of singlet-oxygen, offering
powerful antioxidant activity.
(Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1995)
Lycopene
has been shown to concentrate in prostate tissues. Among the carotenoids
present in the prostate gland, lycopene levels appeared
to be highest.
(Source:
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention,
1996)
Zinc
Because this trace mineral is vital to the life-long good health
of male reproductive organs, it is one of the key nutrients for
sexual function. It has been called the "masculine mineral" because,
outside of the eye, its highest concentration is found in the male
prostate gland. Zinc also is concentrated in semen and is vital
to fertility. Not getting enough of this important mineral may
decrease seminal fluid and sperm count. In one study, men were
given zinc sulfate (60 mg of elemental zinc) daily for 45 to 50
days. In the 22 patients with initially low testosterone levels,
mean sperm count increased significantly from eight to 20 million.
Testosterone levels also increased, and nine of the 22 wives became
pregnant during the study.
(Source: Excerpted from “Zinc – the nutrient of the 90’s,” Christy
Rosche, American Zinc Association)
Pygeum Africana
Pygeum is a large evergreen tree that grows in the high plateaus
of southern Africa. The bark contains three groups of active constituents:
phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), pentacyclic triterpenoids
(including ursolic and oleaic acids) and ferulic esters of long-chain
fatty alcohols (including ferulic esters of docosanol and tetracosanol).
Double-blind clinical trials have shown efficacy for many parameters
of prostatic hypertrophy, including failure to urinate, nocturnal
urination, frequent urination, residual urine, abdominal heaviness,
voiding volume, prostate volume and peak flow. Results included
significant reduction of symptoms and prostate size, and clearance
of bladder neck urethra obstruction.
(Sources: Clinical Therapeutics, 1993/Urology
1999)
