Your prostate is an essential reproductive gland that manufactures seminal fluid. Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, has become a common affliction among middle-age American men and a primary cause of urinary symptoms. BPH is thought to be caused by over-production and accumulation of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, and testosterone, which trigger prostate cell division and unnatural growth, according to the text "Human Biochemistry and Disease." Some supplements can arrest or reduce BPH, although your medical doctor should be consulted if you are experiencing urinary symptoms.
Vitamin B-6
In addition to stimulating your immune system to produce more killer T-cells, vitamin B-6 is also able to reduce circulating prolactin levels in men. Prolactin is one of a few hormones that stimulate an increase in DHT production, which ultimately causes a slow, non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland.
Saw Palmetto Berry Extract
Saw palmetto berries grow on small palm trees and, as an extract, is an indigenous Native Indian remedy for BPH and its associated difficulties with urination. Saw palmetto blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme, 5-alpha-reductase. A 2000 meta-analysis of all relevant saw palmetto trials, published in "Urology," concluded that saw palmetto supplementation leads to significant improvement in urinary symptoms in men with BPH.
Pygeum Bark Extract
Pygeum bark extract is derived from African evergreen trees and is an indigenous remedy for BPH and acute prostate infection. Pygeum contains chemicals that block the production of DHT and prostaglandins, which have a tendency to accumulate in the prostate and may also be linked to hypertrophy, as cited in "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine."
Lycopene
Lycopene is classified as a carotenoid and found within tomato-based products and some fruits, such as watermelon and pink grapefruit. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, and according to a 2008 study published in "Journal of Nutrition," lycopene significantly inhibited disease progression of BPH in elderly German men.
Rye Pollen Extract
Rye pollen extract, branded as Cernilton in Europe, is an herbal remedy used to treat BPH and prostate infections, both bacterial and viral. According to "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine," rye pollen extract has proven its ability to arrest the progression of BPH while reducing urinary symptoms, with no reported side effects.
Pumpkin Seeds and Oil
Pumpkin seeds contain many nutrients that can maintain prostate gland health, such as carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc. According to "The Complete Book of Chinese Medicine," these combined nutrients in pumpkin seeds or pressed oil are able to block over-production of DHT and testosterone, which is a primary cause of prostate enlargement.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle, a common perennial flowering plant, is an indigenous Native Indian remedy used for a variety of conditions, including prostate problems. Stinging nettle is marketed in Europe within a product called, Bazoton, where it is used for relief of urinary symptoms caused by BPH.
References
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- PubMed Citation: "Urology"; Meta-analysis of clinical trials of permixon in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia; P. Boyle et al.; April 2000
- "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine"; Simon Mills; 1994
- PubMed Citation: "Journal of Nutrition"; Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia; S. Schwarz et al.; January 2008
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "The Complete Book of Chinese Medicine"; Wong Kit; 2002
