THE CARE AND FEEDING OF THE PROSTATE
WORTH DOING...


At this point, just notes and some bits of useful information and direction to research.  See the resources, tool, and stories of my actual experience...


Always, before changing anything, consult with a qualified medical specialist.


THE PROBLEM AND THE NUMBERS!

I'd never heard of the prostate, but there I was on my first test with high PSA score.

Now, I know that prostate enlargement affects almost all men if they live long enough plus this is the most common cancer for men, so it seems worthwhile at least to stop what makes it worse and to do as much of everything that stacks the odds more in our favor.

The good thing might be that if we live long enough before we get prostate cancer, we may live long enough to die of something else first, as most forms of it are very slow growing.  And then, if caught early enough, the treatments are getting much, much better. 


BASELINE MEASUREMENT BY AGE 50

A baseline measurement (usually a PSA test) is recommended by age 50.  I would think it wise to do it by age 40.  The velocity of increase of the PSA measurement could suggest possible cancer. 


ENLARGEMENT

There is, as we get older, usually over 50, a benign growth of the prostate.  It can create urinary problems as it grows and put pressure on the bladder and/or urethra. 


Minimizing, reducing the enlargement

Change nutrition, as below.
Minimize decongestants, see below.
20 minute hot bath, especially before bed. 
Regular exercise
Don't sit for long periods (get up every 15 minutes at least)
Don't consume alcohol.
Ejaculate frequently (removes prostate fluids).


THE MECHANICS

"Once you hit 40, your body secretes something called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme starts to turn your normal manly testosterone into a rogue testosterone compound called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

In short, DHT rises as your regular testosterone level goes down.

DHT is thought to be one of the primary reasons that our prostate size increases as we age and is associated with common urinary symptoms that result.

So a main cause of age-related prostate concerns is this build-up of DHT. What you need is something to block the 5-alpha reductase enzyme so it can't do its dirty work.

The second culprit in many prostate woes is inflammation.

Inflammation is the response of your body's tissue to injury, releasing chemicals that result in fluid retention in and around your prostate."

                            Dr. David Brownstein


CONFLICTING DOCTOR OPINIONS

Several doctors:  Saw Palmetto is recommended.  A few doctors: "No, saw palmetto does nothing."


UNCERTAIN DOCTOR OPINIONS

When asked what to do, one urologist replied "I think soy may help."




AVOID

Consuming fluids before bedtime.
Insulin spikes from too much sugar or refined foods are majorly damaging.

As should anyone, avoid:

Fried foods
Hydrogenated oils, transfats
Processed foods
Highly refined foods
Foods that are high in fat.
Alcohol (affects one of the hormones that play a part in prostate problems)

(These are the key foods to avoid with regard to cancer and with regard to weight!)

People should get smart enough to no longer tolerate this in their diets!  It is foolish to consume them!


ADD MORE OF

Exercise
Sunshine


EAT MORE OF

Tomatoes, especially cooked.
Pumpkin seeds
Carrot juice (limit amounts to avoid sugar spikes).
Spinach
Garlic
Fruits and vegatables
Green tea 
Nuts, seeds, olives (limit nuts because of caloric load)
Pomegranate (Biologically active compounds in pomegranate juice, known as ellagitannins, are known to have powerful antioxidant effects and promote proper inflammatory response.)

"Another one of the home remedies for enlarged prostate is to increase the intake if soy foods as they contain phytoestrogens which are known to reduce the production of estrogens which would otherwise aggravate the prostate cancer growth."

Is There A Prostate Diet?  WebMD


SUPPLEMENTS

Saw palmetto (helps reduce the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Plus, it contains compounds that also promote proper inflammatory response.)
Pygeum
Lycopene
Zinc
Vitamin D3
Essential Fatty Acids (2 grams/day)
Selenium (200 micrograms or more)
Green tea (extract)


Swanson Vitamins Prostate Essentials include many of these.


Watch out for:

Minimize decongestants.  These medicines can take a toll on the muscles in the bladeer and prostate. 


SURGERY?

The big question, which cannot be answered here:

Clear it out.  You can have part of the prostate removed so that one can urinate better, using the "roto rooter" (TURP) process (for a transurethral resection of the prostate.

Cancer treatments - From surgery, to radiation, to .... 


The best medical treatment?  Probably Loma Linda University Medical Center, though there are certainly a number of the best.

And I definitely think you should make sure you have the best!  


For a grounding in this use WebMD's Prostate Health Center tools and resources.