Vitamins For A Healthy Prostate

The prostate is a primary reproductive gland in men that produces the majority of the ejaculate, although not the sperm cells. Prostate health has gained more public attention in recent years, in part because prostate cancer is now the second most common cancer in American men. Cancer of the prostate is estimated to claim just over 32,000 lives in 2010 in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute. Specific vitamins help maintain a healthy prostate gland by reducing enlargement, eliminating infection and inhibiting cancer.

Beta-Carotene

Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A and is important for your vision, but studies have shown it modulates and potentially slows the growth of prostate cancer. A study printed in a 2000 edition of "The Journal of Nutrition" says that beta-carotene slowed three different cell lines derived from prostate cancer. This supports the commonly observed correlation between high intake of carotenoids from fruits and vegetables and reduced risk of several cancers, including prostate cancer.

Vitamin B-6

Prostate infections from bacteria and viruses are the second most common affliction of the prostate, ranking just behind benign prostatic hypertrophy, according to "Professional Guide to Diseases." Vitamin B-6 stimulates an increase in circulating white blood cells, which are the offensive component of your immune system. Some of these white blood cells, or leukocytes, are called "killer T-cells" because of their ability to kill bacteria and viruses. Vitamin B-6, along with zinc, also reduces prolactin levels in men. Prolactin is a hormone that increases dihydrotestosterone levels, which leads to prostate enlargement over time.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D enhances your immune system by activating killer T-cells, which helps reduce the occurrence of all infections, including those of the prostate. Vitamin D also displays anti-cancer properties. A scientific review printed in a 2003 edition of "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism" stated that adequate exposure to sunlight, which stimulates production of vitamin D within the skin, or vitamin D supplementation might increase synthesis of calcitriol in the prostate gland and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Vitamin D may also inhibit metastatic spread of the disease.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges damaging free-radicals often associated with aging, degeneration and cancer throughout the body. A specific type of vitamin E -- alpha-tocopherol -- enhances immunity by producing interleukin-2, a protein-based molecule that kills bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. This is helpful for a variety of prostate afflictions. According to an October 2010 UPI.com article, an Australian researcher has found that another type of vitamin E, gamma-tocotrienol, can successfully kill prostate cancer stem cells in mice and effectively inhibit their ability to re-grow. Clinical trials on humans are currently in the planning stages.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is an essential component of your blood's ability to clot and, therefore, your body's ability to heal wounds. However, a 2008 study published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found dietary intake of a type of vitamin K -- menaquinone, or K2 -- to be inversely proportional with the incidence of prostate cancer.