Having a healthy prostate is essential. In this article, we will discuss the importance of the prostate, the dangers of an enlarged prostate, and ways to keep it healthy.

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD 

Problems With the Prostate

Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Improving Prostate Health

Top Prostate Health Supplements

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The size of a walnut, it’s located in the pelvis, below the urinary bladder, and surrounds the urethra. The prostate has several functions in the body, which include producing, strengthening, and expelling sperm.

Problems With the Prostate

According to the CDC, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, next to non-melanoma skin cancer. [1] As men age, the prostate tends to grow in size, which is normal. However, excessive, unnatural growth could become benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate, or BPH. This condition can be severe, causing a blockage in urine flow.

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate can include the following:

• Inability to empty the bladder
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• Blood in urine
• Straining while urinating or difficulty in starting urination
• Frequent urination
• Increased need to urinate at night

These symptoms can worsen if left untreated. Over time, the condition can increase the risk of bladder stones and urinary tract infections. Benign prostatic hyperplasia can block the urine flow, which could force the urine back into the kidneys. This blockage could cause the kidneys to swell in size, increase the risk of kidney infections and not function properly. Men with an enlarged prostate should receive immediate medical attention.

Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Even though the prostate tends to increase in size gradually as men age, other factors can cause it to grow to dangerous, unhealthy levels. The following can increase the risk of having an enlarged prostate:

Lack of exercise. Studies indicate a lack of physical exercise can increase the risk of an enlarged prostate. [2]

Obesity. Studies indicate obesity can increase the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Studies revealed that “obesity increases the risk of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia by several measures, including the initiation of benign prostatic hyperplasia medical treatment, noncancer prostate surgery, physician-diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia, histological diagnosis and urinary flow rate.” [3]

Family history. Individuals that come from families that have a history of BPH may have an increased risk of having an enlarged prostate. A study on a group of randomly selected men aged 40-79 found that men with a history of enlarged prostate may be “at an increased risk for development of symptoms and signs suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.” Researchers also note the risk was higher for men with relatives diagnosed at a younger age. [4]

Diabetes. Studies are ongoing, but there may be a link between diabetes mellitus and men with benign prostate hyperplasia. A survey of 100 persons with diabetes and 200 nondiabetic patients undergoing surgery for BPH found that the diabetic patients had larger prostate volume. Researchers concluded, “ the presence of diabetes is related to both static and dynamic components of benign prostate hyperplasia.” [5]

Improving Prostate Health

Even though the prostate tends to increase in size as men age, that does not mean they will have benign prostate hyperplasia. Maintaining good health is key to minimizing the risk of having issues with the prostate. Here are some of the top ways to keep the prostate healthy:

Stay Active. Men who exercisehave tended to have a lower incidence of BPH. A study on men aged 40 to 75 years of age found that men who walked 2 to 3 hours per week had a 25% lower BPH risk. [6]

In addition to walking, top exercises for prostate health include the following:

• Jumping rope
• Pushups
• Strength training/resistance training
• Riding a bike (with prostate-friendly seat)
• Jogging
• Playing tennis
• Swimming
• Yoga

Thirty to sixty minutes of exercise per day is considered ideal for most.

Eat healthy foods. Food can play a pivotal role in the health of the prostate. Here are some of the top foods to eat (and avoid) for prostate health:

In addition to the foods listed above, the following is worth mentioning:

Dairy products may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Studies indicate a high calcium intake from dairy products could increase prostate cancer risk. This is due to the reduction of a hormone believed to protect against cancer. [7]

Lycopene and BPH. Lycopene, the red carotenoid found in tomatoes and other fruits, has been shown to inhibit the growth of benign prostate hyperplasia. [8]

Ginger and prostate cancer. Studies on ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) have shown it to exhibit “growth-inhibitory and death-induction effects in a spectrum of prostate cancer cells.” Ginger also inhibited the growth of cancer cells in mice. [9]

Top Prostate Health Supplements

In addition to eating a healthy diet and daily exercise, supplements can be used to keep the prostate healthy. Here are a few top prostate supplements:

Systemic Formulas: #72 - Mpc - Prostata Corrector

Mpc - Prostata Corrector helps protect men from hypertrophy, candida, and other harmful conditions affecting the prostate. Mpc - Prostata Corrector contains many all-natural ingredients, including the following:

• Ginkgo (extract)
• Lycopene 
• Thyme
• Pygeum (Bark)
• Goldenseal (root)
• Echinacea Purpurea (Root)

Also, Mpc - Prostata Corrector focuses on reducing inflammation, congestion, and swelling, helping to provide feelings of well-being.

Systemic Formulas: CXMpc - PROSTATA CORRECTOR

CXMpc - PROSTATA CORRECTOR

comes in liquid extract form and helps men who have issues with their prostate, candida, and hypertrophy. Extracts are popular for the following reasons:

• Rapidly assimilated in the body 
• It can be given in small dosages
• It can be added to other liquids to ease digestion
• Preferred by individuals who have difficulty taking pills or capsules

Systemic Formulas: #481 - OXAA - ORGANIZER CELL

OXAA - ORGANIZER CELL provides deep, cellular detoxification of the liver, breast, bones, and prostate. It comes in capsule form and can be taken up to twice a day for up to four months. This product is all-natural and contains many ingredients, including the following:

• Red Clover Blossom
• Saw Palmetto
• Ash Bark
• Peach Bark

Conclusion

Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in the United States, second only to non-melanoma skin cancer. The prostate is essential to a man’s health: an unhealthy prostate can lead to serious health issues, such as urination, bladder stones, decreased libido, kidney infections, and erectile dysfunction. Even though the prostate tends to gradually increase as a person ages, eating a healthy diet, exercise and supplements can keep this important gland healthy.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is based upon the opinions of Revelation Health. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Revelation Health and associates. This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD for accuracy of the information provided, but Revelation Health encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

References

[1] Prostate Cancer Statistics | CDC.https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/statistics/index.htm

[2] Jason Sea, Kenneth S Poon, Kevin T McVary. Review Of Exercise And The Risk Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Phys Sportsmed. 2009 Dec;37(4):75-83. doi: 10.3810/psm.2009.12.1745. [PMID: 20048544].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20048544/

[3] J Kellogg Parsons, Aruna V Sarma, Kevin McVary, (et al). Obesity And Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Clinical Connections, Emerging Etiological Paradigms And Future Directions. J Urol. 2009 Dec;182(6 Suppl):S27-31. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2009.07.086. [PMID: 19846130]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19846130/

[4] R O Roberts, T Rhodes, L A Panser, (et al). Association Between Family History Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia And Urinary Symptoms: Results Of A Population-Based Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1995 Nov 1;142(9):965-73. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a117745. [PMID: 7572978].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28403591/

[5] Levent Ozcan 1, Huseyin Besiroglu, Murat Dursun (et al). Comparison Of The Clinical Parameters Of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia In Diabetic And Non Diabetic Patients. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2017 Mar 31;89(1):26-30. doi: 10.4081/aiua.2017.1.26. [PMID: 28403591].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7572978/

[6] E A Platz 1, I Kawachi, E B Rimm (et al).Physical Activity and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Arch Intern Med. 1998 Nov 23;158(21):2349-56. doi: 10.1001/archinte.158.21.2349. [PMID: 9827786]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9827786/

[7] J M Chan, M J Stampfer, J Ma, P H Gann (et al). Dairy Products, Calcium, And Prostate Cancer Risk In The Physicians' Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Oct;74(4):549-54. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/74.4.549. [PMID: 11566656].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11566656/

[8] Silke Schwarz 1, Ute C Obermüller-Jevic, Eva Hellmis, (et al). Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression In Patients With Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. J Nutr. 2008 Jan;138(1):49-53. doi: 10.1093/jn/138.1.49. [PMID: 18156403} https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18156403/

[9] Prasanthi Karna 1, Sharmeen Chagani, Sushma R Gundala (et al). Benefits Of Whole Ginger Extract In Prostate Cancer. Br J Nutr. 2012 Feb;107(4):473-84. doi: 10.1017/S0007114511003308. Epub 2011 Aug 18. [PMID: 21849094] PMCID: PMC3426621.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21849094/