The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system that helps the body produce the fluid that contains sperm. A young man's prostate is typically the size of a walnut, but it gradually becomes larger with age. Prostate enlargement is common in men 50 and older, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause pain and problems with urination. Certain supplements are suggested to promote prostate health.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed, or alpha-linolenic acid, may lower the risk of prostate cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health.
A study conducted by the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at the University of Texas at Houston found flaxseed may help guard against prostate cancer.
The findings were published in December 2008 in "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention," a publication of the American Association of Cancer Research.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto has been suggested as a possible herbal remedy for BPH. It may work just as well as the FDA-approved prostate medications, Proscar and Avodart, that help shrink the prostate gland in aging men, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
A study published in December 2001 in the journal, Urology, found that saw palmetto, compared with a placebo, led to a notable improvement in symptoms in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. The study was conducted by the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.
Pygeum
Pygeum, also known as African plum extract, has been used historically to treat urinary problems. Pygeum may relieve BPH symptoms and improve urine flow.
A study led by Dr. Timothy Wilt at the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research in Minneapolis, Minnesota, found standardized preparation of pygeum africanum may be a useful treatment option for men with BPH.
Grass Pollen
Grass pollen may decrease the frequency of nighttime urination and other systems associated with BPH. A systemic review of rye-grass pollen extract in men with BPH, conducted by the Minneapolis VA Center for Chronic Diseases Outcomes Research, found it modestly improves overall urological symptom.
