Many vitamins and herbs naturally promote good prostate health. The prostate is a male sex gland that can enlarge with age, leading to urinary dysfunction and even cancer of the prostate. All males will eventually experience some side effects of BPH, or benign prostate hyperplasia. However, natural supplements can improve the quality of life and decrease symptoms as well as help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
Vitamins
Vitamins E, D, and C may help promote a healthy prostate. Many studies focusing on prostate health and vitamin E made the mistake of administering only alpha tocopherol, according to the Life Extension Foundation. Alpha tocopherol alone can displace gamma tocopherol, which is more important for prostate protection. The foundation also reports that Vitamin D inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells, despite "flawed" studies claiming otherwise. In addition, Vitamin C may also contribute to prostate health.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a beneficial carotenoid, related to beta carotene. Beta carotene is a nutrient that converts to vitamin A in our bodies. There is an association between low lycopene levels and prostate disease. Fifteen to 20 mg per day is recommended to encourage a healthy prostate and prevent BPH and prostate cancer.
Pumpkin Seed
Pumpkin seed extract my contribute to prostate health by inhibiting an enzyme that can be responsible for prostate swelling and/or growth. An enzyme, 5-alpha reductase, converts testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is known to promote prostate enlargement. Pumpkin seed has been shown to inhibit 5-alpha reductase by 50 percent in a test tube, according to a November 2008 article in "Life Extension" magazine.
Green Tea
Camellia sinensis, also known as green tea, may offer added support for prostate health due to its antioxidant content. Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants, particularly catechins that have shown promise in reducing the occurrence of prostate cancer, according to a January 2006 article in the journal "Cancer Research."
Soy Extracts
A potent compound in soy extract is genistein. Genistein is thought to be responsible for the anti-estrogen and anti-tumor effects of soy isoflavones. Estrogen is another hormone that encourages the growth of prostate cells. Prostate cancers cannot grow without the help of estrogen. Genistein and other soy isoflavones block human prostate cell growth in the test tube and reduce prostate cancer cell proliferation in mice.
Saw Palmetto and Pygeum Africanum
Saw palmetto has been used for centuries to alleviate the swelling of the prostate. Its principal action works to decrease DHT production by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. Decreased prostate size has been shown in studies using 160 mg twice per day, according to the Life Extension Foundation. Pygeum Africanum is a natural pair for saw palmetto, exhibiting its own prostate-protecting effects. Pygeum may inhibit the growth of the prostate and induce the death of cancer cells. Used for years in Europe, pygeum displays both chemotherapeutic and preventative health benefits.
Pomegranate Extract
Preliminary research suggests that pomegranate may be effective for promoting prostate health. Pomegranate has shown chemopreventive effects on the cells of the prostate, while decreasing the proliferation of cancer cells, according to the Life Extension Foundation's April 2007 article "Advances in Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention and Treatment."
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