The National Institute on Aging reports that your prostate gland is roughly the size and shape of a walnut and surrounds your urethra, or the tube that transports urine out of your bladder. It is not uncommon for your prostate to grow larger as you age. However, if your prostate gland becomes too big, you may experience health complications. Dietary supplements have often been used to address prostate problems in men.
Common Prostate Problems
One of the most common prostate problems among men is benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH. BPH, reports the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, occurs when your prostate gland becomes enlarged and impairs the flow of urine through your urethra. In response to the impaired flow, your bladder begins contracting, which causes more frequent urination. Over time, your bladder weakens and is unable to fully empty its contents. Other prostate problems include acute and chronic prostatitis and, less common, prostate cancer.
Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are prescribed by health care providers to help shrink your prostate gland and treat other prostate-related symptoms. Phyllis Balch, author and nutritionist, reports that helpful dietary supplements for BPH include quercetin, selenium, vitamin B complex and zinc. Essential fatty acids, garlic and vitamins A and E may also be helpful. Beneficial dietary supplements for prostatitis include kelp, lecithin, magnesium with calcium and berry seeds complex. Prostate cancer may respond to supplementation with coenzyme Q10, proteolytic enzymes and superoxide dismutase.
Most Effective Supplement
One dietary supplement that has been extensively studied for its effects on the prostate gland is saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is a small palm tree whose fruit was used by the Seminoles to make medicine. Saw palmetto is used to help treat prostate cancer, long-term pelvic pain, bladder dysfunction and reduced sex drive. Of all the conditions this dietary supplement is used to treat, reports the National Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, BPH -- and the urinary tract symptoms it causes -- may be helped most.
Caution
Dietary supplements are intended to be supplemental to a healthy diet and lifestyle, not to replace the treatment approaches suggested by your doctor. Taking an inappropriate amount of any substance, including dietary supplements, can threaten your health and, in some cases, put your life in danger. Talk with a certified clinical nutritionist or a doctor specializing in clinical nutrition before selecting dietary supplements to help treat your prostate problem.
References
- National Institute on Aging: Prostate Problems
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Prostate Enlargement
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- National Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Saw Palmetto
