Numerous supplements may help improve prostate health. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, common prostate-related conditions in men include prostatism, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, impotence and urinary incontinence. Prostate cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs most commonly in middle-aged and elderly men. Certain nutritional supplements may be helpful for treating or preventing prostate problems. A man interested in supplements for prostate health should first consult a qualified health care professional for possible risks and benefits and proper dosage.
Zinc
Zinc supplementation may be effective for preserving prostate health. According to Dr. Russell B. Marz, a naturopathic physician and author of the textbook "Medical Nutrition from Marz," zinc has been found to inhibit the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which is the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone binds more readily to the prostate and stimulates greater--and unwanted--prostate growth. Zinc also decreases the pituitary gland's secretion of prolactin, decreasing prolactin's binding to the prostate, which helps prevent prostatic hypertrophy. Prostatic hypertrophy, or enlargement of the prostate, is an age-related phenomenon that happens to most men, states the MedlinePlus website. As the prostate grows, it can press on the urethra and cause urinary tract problems. An enlarged prostate is not cancer, and it does not increase a person's risk for prostate cancer.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed supplementation may be important for preserving prostate health. According to the MedlinePlus website, early research suggests that supplementing a low-fat diet with flaxseed can lower prostate-specific antigen, or PSA--a marker for prostate cancer--in men who possess a precancerous prostate condition. However, notes the MedlinePlus website, flaxseed supplementation among men with prostate cancer does not appear to decrease PSA, although it does lower testosterone levels, which decreases the rate at which cancer cells multiply. According to the PCC Natural Markets website, flaxseed, also known as linseed in some countries, is an excellent source of dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and lignans. Most of the fiber in flaxseed in found in the seed coat. Other health problems for which flaxseed may be beneficial include constipation, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and upset stomach.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto, also called Serenoa repens, may be effective for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH--an increase in the size of the prostate gland. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," saw palmetto, a member of the palm family native to the southeast United States, may be used as a diuretic, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, alterative and male reproductive tract tonic. The berries of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. The PCC Natural Markets website states that saw palmetto may be used to treat BPH and prostatitis, although it is probably more effective for BPH. Consuming about 325 mg per day of saw palmetto herbal extract standardized to contain about 80 percent to 95 percent fatty acids may be an effective natural treatment for BPH. Before taking saw palmetto, a person should speak with a qualified health care professional to discuss possible side effects and proper dosage.
