The walnut-sized prostate’s job is to secrete a nutrient-rich fluid to enhance sperm mobility and viability. It also produces a fluid called prostatic fluid, which guards a man’s urinary system and genitals from infection. BPH is one of the most common conditions seen by an Urologist. Conventional treatments include drug therapy and then maybe surgery. If you suspect you have BPH get it checked out, self-diagnosis or hoping the problem will go away if ignored is not a good idea.

What are some of the alternatives to drugs?

The goal when preventing or treating BHP naturally is to correct contributing nutritional factors and to enhance restorative factors. It is very important to get enough water, aim for 4 large glasses a day as a minimum, 8 would be better. Decrease or give up coffee. Coffee seems to exacerbate BPH symptoms. Avoiding alcohol especially beer lowers your risk of developing BPH. Knowing which fats to eat and which to minimize is very important in controlling BPH. Some prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds) are vital for proper prostate function. Unfortunately most people’s diets are low in essential fatty acids (EFA), the building blocks of these necessary prostaglandins. EFA are not called ‘essential’ for nothing. EFAs are found in raw nuts and seeds, a particularly good source for the prostate are walnuts and pumpkin seeds. Minimize the fats that encourage BPH, such as processed vegetable oils, vegetable shortening and margarine. Instead stick to the oils that are cold pressed such as ‘extra virginal olive oil’ for salads, and ‘coconut oil’ for cooking.

Zinc is extremely important. This mineral is more concentrated in the prostate than in any other tissue. Zinc works by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase (5-AR) an enzyme that naturally increases with age and is responsible for converting testosterone to the more powerful dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a male hormone concentrated in the prostate. The net effect of enough zinc is the decrease of DHT and thus prostate size. A good source of zinc is green pumpkin seeds.

Well publicized, the herb Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), plays a significant role in BPH prevention and treatment. Saw palmetto is a small palm tree that produces purple red fruit the size of olives. The taste has been described as ‘soapy’ (can be taken in capsules), and the scent as nutty. The berries contain saponins (responsible for that soapy taste) essential oil, enzymes, tannins and resins. Like zinc, saw palmetto also blocks the 5-AR and hence DHT formation. Men who take saw palmetto for BPH usually notice a difference after 4 to 6 weeks, not quick in its action and some have found that it took longer. Studies seem to show that it is quite safe for long-term use, if taking normal doses.

Zinc levels have been found to be lower when cadmium levels are higher than normal. Cadmium is a toxic, heavy metal and cigarette smoke has very high levels. To protect yourself you need to give up smoking or cut right down or failing that you need to increase your levels of selenium. Whole grains and plenty of onions are a good source of selenium, failing that take selenium supplements.

A major clinical study was published in the journal, The Prostate. This large multi-center study involving dozens of researchers from France, Scotland, England, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland and the United States, compared saw palmetto extract with the drug Finasteride found both treatments relieved symptoms. However, saw palmetto had a very slight edge over the drug due to its lack of side-effects. It is worth bearing in mind prevention is always better than treatment.

In a nut shell
Drink that water, reduce your coffee and cigarettes or better still give up, eat plenty of whole grains, raw nuts, raw seeds, fruit, vegetables and avoid processed oils. Make sure you have enough zinc in your diet and take some saw palmetto.

Kidney disease

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There are five inflammatory substances the body produces in response to various factors – environmental pollution, metabolic by-products, nutritional deficiencies and poor food choices, structural stress, digestive problems, infections, and pharmaceutical drugs.

1) Histamine – the mast cells produce histamine, I am sure you have heard of anti-histamine medication. Histamine is involved in the immune process for example – asthma, eczema, and hay-fever suffers produce high levels of histamine.

To counteract histamine – fruits like black currents, kiwi, and cherries,vegetables like onions and garlic, supplements like vitamin C capsules (particularly, quercetin capsules, and L-methionine capsules that help the liver to detoxify more efficiently, binding to excess histamine rendering it inactive.

2) Kinins – are found circulating in the blood stream, they are produced in response to tissue damage. Tissue damage can be caused by – high acidity levels, stress, high protein diets, dehydration, certain foods and drinks

To counteract kinins -a diet high in fruit and vegetables (other foods in moderation) will bring down acidity and maintain a good balance between acid and alkaline.

3) Prostaglandins – are short lived hormone type substances. They affect the tissue in their immediate area. The type of prostaglandins produced 1, 2, or 3, are produced as a direct result of the foods we eat. Prostaglandins 1 and 3 are very important not only as anti-inflammatory substances but they also help reduce cholesterol, prevent blooding clots and maintain good blood pressure.

To maintain a good balance -don’t overdo the meat consumption as it can encourage the production of the pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. Bromelain capsules – blocks pro-inflammation and encourages anti-inflammation. Ginger capsules, vitamin C, B Complex and minerals like magnesium and zinc are needed by enzymes to quell pro-inflammation. Flax seed oil capsules or fish oil capsules, plus a diet that provides enough essential fatty acids – fish, raw nuts and seeds.

4) Leukotrienes – much less is known about these inflammatory substances. They are related to prostaglandins and are generated from arachidonic acid, which comes from a diet high in animal products.

To counteract leukotrienes – vegetables, spice turmeric, quercetin capsules, and L-Arginine capsules.

5) Complement – you may or may not have heard of this. It is a protein found in the blood stream. There are about a dozen different substances involved in the immune system, and in the release of histamine from the mast cells – encouraging inflammation.

To counteract complement – there are various nutrients and antioxidants – Vitamin A or beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Zinc. Fruits and vegetables colored red, yellow, and orange like pumpkin, beetroot, squash, carrots, all berries, nectarines are a rich source of beta-carotene.

Learn more about Arthritis self-help

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