The prostate gland is a male reproductive structure that synthesizes most of the contents of semen, with the exception of sperm cells. The predominant prostate problem is benign enlargement, which is common in men but of unknown cause. According to MedlinePlus, prostate enlargement affects many men older than 40 years, including more than 90 percent of men beyond the age of 80. Certain vitamins promote prostate health, by either reducing enlargement, eliminating infection or inhibiting cancerous growth.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is a pre-cursor to vitamin-A and is necessary for healthy vision, although studies suggest it also plays an important role in modulating prostate cancer. A 2000 study published in "The Journal of Nutrition" showed that beta-carotene slowed in vitro growth within multiple prostate cancer cell lines, which supports the relationship between high intakes of carotenoids from fruits and vegetables with reduced risk of several malignancies including prostate cancer.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 is partially responsible for increasing circulating levels of leukocytes, which are the main cells of your immune system. Some of these white blood cells are produced by the thymus gland and are called killer T-cells because of their ability to kill invading microorganisms. Both bacteria and viruses can cause prostate infections. Vitamin B-6, along with zinc, also has the ability to reduce prolactin levels in men. Prolactin is one of a handful of hormones that cause an increase in dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which leads to an overproduction of prostate cells, causing enlargement.
Vitamin C
According to "The Vitamins," vitamin C stimulates the production and enhances the function of many leukocytes, especially neutrophils, lymphocytes and phagocytes. Neutrophils aggressively attack pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant and contributes to the manufacture of interferon, a compound that kills viruses, and glutathione, another antioxidant that scavenges free-radicals. Vitamin C is considered more or a preventative nutrient for prostate problems.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is strongly tied to your immune system, as it is essential for activating killer T-cells so they can detect and eliminate invading pathogens, which could otherwise develop into prostate infections. Vitamin D also has anti-cancer properties. A review study published in a 2003 edition of "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism" concluded that adequate exposure to sunlight or vitamin D supplementation might increase synthesis of calcitriol in the prostate and decrease the risk of prostate cancer, as well as mitigate metastatic disease should it develop.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, especially as alpha-tocopherol, is a powerful antioxidant that eliminates potentially damaging free-radicals associated with aging, degeneration and cancer. Alpha-tocopherol boosts immunity by synthesizing interleukin-2, a compound that kills bacteria, viruses and cancer cells, which is applicable to a variety of prostate problems. According to ScienceDaily.com, a 2010 Australian study published in the "International Journal of Cancer" found that another form of vitamin E, called gamma-tocotrienol, can successfully kill prostate cancer stem cells in mice, which effectively inhibits the tumors ability to re-grow.
References
- MedlinePlus.com: Enlarged Prostate
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; ß-Carotene Modulates Human Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and May Undergo Intracellular Metabolism to Retinol; Alexa W. Williams et al; January 2000
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "The Vitamins, Third Edition"; Gerald F. Combs; 2007
- "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism"; Vitamin D and prostate cancer prevention and treatment; T.C Chen and M. F. Holick; November 2003
- ScienceDaily.com; 2010 Gamma-tocotrienol Study in the "International Journal of Cancer".
