Your prostate is a gland that makes semen, the ejaculatory fluid that carries sperm. Prostate awareness has grown within the last decade, primarily due to an increase in urinary symptoms experienced by middle aged men and deaths due to prostate cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that prostate cancer kills approximately 32,000 men yearly in the U.S. Some nutrients enhance prostate gland health, but health care professionals should be consulted if you experience prostate problems.
Saw Palmetto Berries
Saw palmetto berries come from small palms that grow on the coast in the southeastern U.S. Saw palmetto, usually formulated as an extract, is a long-established Native Indian remedy used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia, which is the most common prostate affliction. A 1998 review article appearing in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" notes that saw palmetto inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone, a steroidal hormone that promotes prostate cell proliferation leading to prostate enlargement.
Pygeum
Pygeum is derived from evergreen tree bark that grows in parts of Africa. Pygeum extract is a long-established African remedy used to treat BPH and prostate infections, or prostatitis. Pygeum extract contains nutrients that inhibit the production of DHT and prostaglandins, which accumulate within enlarging prostates, as cited in "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine."
Red Clover
Red clover is an herb that grows throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Its red flowers, which are rich in isoflavones among other nutrients, are dried and offer the therapeutic potential. In addition to being used as a blood cleanser and for its anti-viral properties, red clover flowers have been used to lower PSA levels by more than 30 percent in men with prostate cancer, as noted in a 2008 Austrian study published in the journal, "Urology."
Lycopene
Lycopene is a member of the carotenoid family and found within tomatoes, guava, watermelon and pink grapefruit. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that eliminates free-radicals linked with aging, degeneration and cancer. The American Cancer Society notes there are some studies that confirm lycopene can help prevent prostate cancer and potentially reduce the size of existing tumors.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients that promote a healthy prostate, most notably carotenoids, omega-3 fats, manganese and zinc. The combination of nutrients in pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil are able to restrict production of DHT and testosterone, which trigger prostate cell multiplication.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important part of your immune system, as it stimulates leukocytes that eliminate invading microorganisms. Vitamin D also has anti-cancer properties. A 2003 article appearing in "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism" noted that adequate vitamin D via supplementation or from sun exposure may increase calcitriol production in prostate glands leading to reduced risks of prostate cancer and metastasis.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, in particular alpha-tocopherol, is a strong antioxidant that scavenges free-radicals that could harm your prostate. Alpha-tocopherol is required to synthesize interleukin-2, a compound that destroys bacteria, viruses and cancer cells, which is helpful to maintain a healthy prostate.
References
- The National Cancer Institute: Prostate Cancer Statistics
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Saw Palmetto Extracts for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: a Systemic Review; T.J Wilt et al.; November 1998
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- PubMed.gov: Effects of one-year treatment with isoflavone extract from red clover on prostate, liver function, sexual function, and quality of life in men with elevated PSA levels and negative prostate biopsy findings
- The American Cancer Society: Lycopene Summary
- PubMed.gov: Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer Prevention and Treatment
