Prostatitis, the enlargement of the prostate gland, may be effectively alleviated through diet and herbal dietary supplements. Enlargement of the prostate usually affects men over 50, most likely from diet-induced dysregulation of hormone levels. The increasing number of men suffering from prostate disorders has resulted in the development of various products reportedly beneficial to prostate health. Most supplements are formulated from herbs, such as saw palmetto, pygeum, green tea extract and stinging nettle leaves. Consult a physician to prevent cross-reactivity with medications.
Saw Palmetto
In March 2007, the medical journal, "Clinical Intervention on Aging" reported that the extract of saw palmetto berries, botanically named Serenoa serrulatum, was shown to be effective in helping patients with enlarged prostate by inhibiting the synthesis of growth-stimulating dihydrotesterone and by lowering estrogen levels. It was the researchers' goal "to analyze the efficacy and safety of treating prostate cancer conservatively using the principles of a Mediterranean diet in association with a specific prostate nutritional supplement."
Pygeum
Pygeum often occurs as an amalgamation with saw palmetto in pharmaceutical supplements. Pygeum contains extracts from the bark of Prunus africana and has been used to treat prostatitis. Researchers found that some nutraceuticals, such as pygeum, may offer relief to patients who get little from standard therapy, as reported in the Summer 2008 edition of "Review of Urology."
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract has also been used as a basic ingredient in commercial supplements. Decaffeinated green tea extract is thought to be an effective cancer fighter, and researchers, who reported their results in June 2009 in the journal "Frontiers in Bioscience," correlated this to the low incidence of prostate cancer among Asian men, a group known for regularly consuming green tea.
Stinging Nettle Leaves
Stinging nettle, also known by the botanical name Urtica dioica, is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. It has a long history of medicinal uses and as a food source. I. Durak and colleagues reported in the September 2004 issue of "Cancer Biology and Thwerapy" that Urtica dioica has beneficial effects that counter prostate enlargement after investigating its effects on prostate tissue samples from patients with "pathologically proven localized prostate cancer."
Precautions
Supplements for prostate health are not cures for prostate cancer or any other prostate-related disorders. They are used primarily to strengthen the prostate gland and minimize the frequency and magnitude of developing disorders. It is highly advisable to seek the advice of health professionals before embarking on a supplement regiment.
References
- "Cancer Letters"; Multitargeted Therapy of Cancer by Lycopene; R. van Breemen; October 2008
- "Review of Urology"; Nutraceuticals in Prostate Disease: The Urologist's Role; J. Nickel; Summer 2008
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Radiation-Induced HIF-1α Cell Survival Pathway Is Inhibited by Soy Isoflavones in Prostate Cancer Cells; V. Singh-Gupta; April 2009
- "Frontiers in Bioscience"; Green Tea and Prostate Cancer: From Bench to Clinic; M. Pandey; June 2009
- "Cancer Biology and Therapy"; Aqueous Extract of Urtica Dioica Makes Significant Inhibition on Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Prostate Tissue From Patients With Prostate Cancer; I. Durak; September 2004
Member Comments