Tips For Naturally Lowering Psa Levels
If youve had your prostate-specific antigen tested and your numbers were higher, you and your doctor may have discussed ways to lower it. There are also some things you can do on your own that may help.
PSA is a type of protein thats made by both normal cells in your prostate gland and by cancer cells. It can be found in your blood and semen. Doctors measure PSA in your blood to check for new or returning prostate cancer. The higher your PSA levels are, the more likely it is that you have active prostate cancer.
Some scientific research has found that its possible to lower your PSA numbers and reduce risk of developing or returning cancer by making lifestyle changes, like eating certain foods and being more physically active.
Read on to find out six things you can do at home to have a positive impact on your PSA levels.
Herbs For An Enlarged Prostate
A male reproductive gland surrounding the urethra, the prostate is responsible for producing semen. Enlargement of the prostate gland occurs in many men as they get older.
Although it can lead to some complications involving the bladder, an enlarged prostate won’t increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Foods High In Curcumin
In this case, we are talking about a spice instead of a nutrient. Thus, we do not have a long list of foods that contain curcumin. The primary source is turmeric, but you can also find curcumin as a powder in the market. Its what gives mustard its yellow color, too.
However, since the daily dose is rather high compared to what we usually have, we recommend using a supplement instead. Other ways you can increase your intake of curcumin is through one of these daily hacks:
- Turmeric smoothie: They taste great if you add whey powder, almond milk, peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder.
- Turmeric salad dressing: Mix one tablespoon of turmeric powder with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and any other spices that go along with the taste.
- Curry sauce recipes: Its an Indian sauce you can find already made in the market or do it yourself with turmeric, margarine, peanut oil, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cilantro, chili peppers, and yogurt.
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Natural remedies such as saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, pygeum, rye grass pollen extract and stinging nettle may help relieve enlarged prostate symptoms – more research is needed. Herbal remedies can have side effects and interact with other medications. Long term effects are often unknown. Ask your doctor before taking these supplements.
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Rated on: 6/27/2016 12:45:22 PM
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Diet & Exercise Tips For Prostate Health
“What can I eat to reduce my risk of developing prostate cancer?” This is one of the most common questions physicians hear from men concerned about prostate health. Undoubtedly, many hope that their doctor will rattle off a list of foods guaranteed to shield them from disease. Although some foods have been linked with reduced risk of prostate cancer, proof that they really work is lacking, at least for now.
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What The Research Says
A recent study has also evaluated a possible connection. The authors explored the link between prostate enlargement and vitamin D. They did it through the hormone testosterone. Their results show that higher vitamin D levels in the blood reduce the PSA levels. They also hypothesize that testosterone levels and function depend on vitamin D status. If thats the case, low vitamin D levels would also have a hormonal consequence that explains BPH and BPH symptoms .
Other studies explored a more direct association between the prostate tissue and vitamin D. Interestingly; the prostate epithelial cells can activate vitamin D. Moreover, these cells have a vitamin D receptor, even prostate cancer cells. Upon binding, vitamin D sends signals to control the proliferation of cells.
When To See A Doctor
If you don’t see a reduction in symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, you may need to undergo a different treatment plan.Â;
Prescription Medications
The first higher-level treatment is to begin taking prescription drugs for an enlarged prostate. One class of medication is an alpha blocker. These medications, such as Flomax, Rapaflo, and Cardura, work by relaxing the affected muscles around the prostate to encourage urine flow.Â;
Another type of medication is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Examples of these medications include Proscar and Avodart, which are long-term medications that help to block the production of dihydrotestosterone and shrink the size of the prostate.
Surgery and Minimally Invasive Procedures
For moderate to severe BPH, you may need a medical procedure to relieve your symptoms. There are a variety of procedures, including laser therapy, microwave heat, or prostate tissue compression. Partial prostate removal and full removal are more invasive but may be necessary for extremely large prostate glands.
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Natural Remedies To Ease Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
African plum extract has been shown to contain a wide range of sterols, alcohols, and fatty acids for example, beta-sitosterol which have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect on the urogenital tract. There are a few studies that indicate consuming around 100 to 200 mg of pygeum extract daily could help reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate.;If a person chooses to use this remedy, it is recommended to split the dosage into two 50 mg or 100 mg if taking 200 mg daily twice a day.
The most studied remedy is the herbal supplement saw palmetto. This supplement inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone and decreases the size of the inner lining of the prostate.
A remedy that is still being tested is the Zi-Shen Pill which contains three plants, including Chinese cinnamon. This ancient Chinese medicine dates back to the 13th century. Researchers have found that the Zi-Shen recipe has reduced rates of BPH in rats.
Some people have used a rye-grass pollen supplement called Cernilton. It has been included in several registered pharmaceutical treatments for enlarged prostate. Cernilton has not been proven to reduce the impact of BPH on a large scale. Some people indicate it could reduce the overall size of the prostate.
Indigenous Brazilian tribes and communities have used the babassu or Orbignya speciosa a species of palm tree native to Brazil to alleviate urogenital symptoms and conditions. To do this the natives use dried or ground kernels from the tree.
Understanding The Importance Of Your Prostate
Many men do not understand what their prostate does and how it can impact their lives. The prostate is a small gland that is about the size and shape of a walnut that is located below the neck of the bladder. The urethra runs through the center of your prostate, from the bladder through the penis, letting urine flow out of the body.
Your prostate can become larger as you age, and usually begins to grow around the age of 40-50; this is a normal part of aging. Eventually, this growth can lead to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, better known as BPH.
As the prostate enlarges, it presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms such as:
- Frequent need to urinate both day and night
- Weak or slow urinary stream
- A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
- Difficulty or delay in starting urination
- Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
- A urinary stream that stops and starts
If you suffer from the above symptoms, you are not alone. BPH is the leading reason men visit a urologist.3
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Remedies For An Enlarged Prostate
Even if you have an enlarged prostate, that does not mean you must live with the symptoms for the rest of your life. Your doctor might advise one of several approaches to coping with BPH, including lifestyle changes, medication changes, and other treatments. The remedies and treatments available will depend on your own health situation and how disruptive the symptoms have become.
Get Sufficient Exercise
Exercise can improve with your overall fitness, as well as benefit your prostate health. Studies have shown a connection between increased physical activity and reduced risk of BPH, with exercise of any type having some degree of benefit.Â;
Seated activities, such cycling, can put pressure on the perineum and groin. This can lead to numbness or pinched nerves. To avoid these issues, make sure you utilize a wide seat and engage in a variety of activity types.
You can also try Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles and reduce urine dribbling. To do these exercises, squeeze the muscles that affect urine flow and then release, repeating several times to train the muscles.Â;
Slow Down
When you head to the bathroom, make sure you slow down. When you relax your muscles and leave time to account for delayed urine and possible dribbling, you’re much more likely to completely empty your bladder. Urine that remains in the bladder because of an enlarged prostate can lead to urinary tract infections or painful bladder stones.Â;
Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol Consumption
Ways To Relieve Prostatitis Symptoms
If youre like many adult men, youve thought about your prostate health at some point in your life. Its an important issue because 90 percent of men experience some kind of problem with their prostate by the time they are 70 years old. And one of these problems is prostatitis.
Prostatitis is a common condition that involves inflammation or an infection of the prostate gland. Its estimated that;prostatitis symptoms affect 35 to 50 percent of men during their lifetime. And unlike an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer, which commonly affect older men, prostatitis affects men of all ages, especially those between the ages of 20 and 40.
The severity of symptoms vary, but most men with prostatitis suffer from painful urination; pain in the pelvic area, groin and lower back; flu-like symptoms; and issues during intercourse, such as painful ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. Thankfully, there are natural and safe ways to relieve prostatitis symptoms that will help you to feel like yourself again.
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What Is It Exactly
; ; ;The term is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia OR Enlarged Prostate.; It is a Noncancerous Increase in the Size of the Prostate.
- Frequent Urinations especially at night.; Instead of the Normal Sleeping through the night Freely, We have to Go 2 to 5 times depending on the Severity.
- Trouble Starting to Urinate or Longer wait times to Begin.;
- Inability to Go until a Later time.; The Urethra Canal is being Pinched.; So, more Fluid has to build up to break through the Swollen Prostate that is Clamping down on the Pathway for Liquid to Flow.
- Weak Stream from the normal Full Flow.
Lifestyle Tips For Managing Bph
Lifestyle tips that may help someone manage the symptoms of an enlarged prostate include the following:
- Attempt to urinate at least once before leaving home to avoid urinary leakage or other incidents in public that can be very stressful and embarrassing.
- Double void by trying to urinate again a few minutes after urinating the first time, to drain the bladder as much as possible during bathroom visits.
- Try not to drink fluids in the 2 hours before bedtime to avoid going to sleep with a full bladder.
- Try to stay hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water daily.
- Try maintaining a healthy body weight as much as possible.
- Exercise regularly and as often as possible.
- Try not to drink too much at one time.
- Try to reduce or avoid stress to reduce the urge for urination.
- Avoid or limit products that cause dehydration, such as cold medications and decongestants
- Use absorbent urinary pads or pants to absorb urine leaks and decrease wetness and discomfort.
- Use urinary sheaths, which are condom-shaped and fit over the penis to drain urine into a small bag strapped to the leg.
- Use urethral massage, after urinating, by gently pressing the fingers upwards from the base of the scrotum to try to squeeze out any urine left in the urethra and prevent any leakage later.
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No 3: Strive For Balance
Experts believe that the hormone dihydrotestosterone promotes the growth of prostate cells. When testosterone and estrogen are imbalanced, DHT activity can increase and encourage the growth of prostate cells. That is why it is important to keep an eye on and manage your hormones, which you might have noticed begin to change after the age of 40.
Both exercising and maintaining a healthy weight help to keep your testosterone and estrogen balanced, but there are natural supplements that are worth looking into as well. Both pygeum and plant sterols like as beta-sitosterol contain active components that can inhibit DHT production. Another supplement, 3,3-diindolylmethane , naturally supports the balance of testosterone and estrogen and promotes normal prostate size.
Shrink Enlarged Prostate In 7 Easy Steps
Dr. Ken BerryKenDBerryMD
I Hesitantly agree with the Oats Comment for I do not have a large variety to eat from considering my Calcium buildup issues.; Oatmeal I guess I will have to take out of my diet.; Healthline and most other expert sites say Oats are good for your Prostate.; But they do create sugar.; My aim is to slow down if not Stop this Extremely annoying pain in the You know what.; SO, I am prepared to find Alternatives at most any cost of my own eating Pleasures.Also, we have to select lower sugar certain fruits.; The ones he mentioned may be avoided.
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The Best Foods For Prostate Health
The prostate gland is an integral part of the male reproductive system. About the size of a walnut, it continues to change and grow during a mans lifetime. Maintaining prostate health should be of maximum importance to all men if they want to lead a long and healthy life.
Lets look at three medical issues that can arise as a result of the prostate gland, and some recommendations for the best foods for prostate health.
Resistance And Aerobic Exercises
It is said that staying active is good for the prostate along with general health. So you should practice some simple exercises if you are serious about learning how to treat;enlarged prostate at home. The fact is, inactivity leads to obesity, which is among the potential risk factors of enlarged prostate. Even a small amount of exercise such as resistance and aerobic exercise could help in reducing urinary problems resulted by an enlarged prostate and could even prevent this condition.
You can incorporate aerobic exercises such as jogging, running, walking, tennis, basketball, and rowing into your everyday exercise regime.
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Foods High In Vitamin D
So, what vitamin D foods that shrink the prostate gland do we recommend?
Heres a list you can consider for your next visit to the grocery store:
- Salmon: 3 ounces provide your body with 647 IU of vitamin D, which is a lot. It also has omega 3 fatty acids that aid in the absorption of vitamin D. Other types of fish are excellent, too, including cod, tuna, and halibut.
- Soymilk: Regular milk has vitamin D when fortified, and soymilk is an alternative for vegetarians. It has up to 119 IU of vitamin D for each cup.
- Eggs: If you do not take out the yolk, you get a total of 118 IU of vitamin D for each cup of boiled eggs.
- Foods fortified with vitamin D: Other foods such as breakfast cereals and dairy are fortified with vitamin D. You can find fortified foods by looking at the labels.
An Enlarged Prostate Known As Benign Prostatic Hyper Plasia Or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Occurs In More Than 50% Of Men Over The Age Of 50 It Is By Far The Most Common Prostate Problem
- ISSUE DATE: August 4, 2008
An enlarged prostate, known as Benign Prostatic Hyper plasia or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, occurs in more than 50% of men over the age of 50. It is by far the most common prostate problem. Located just beneath the bladder, this walnut-size glands primary role is to help produce the fluid portion of sementhe watery medium that transports sperm so that it can fertilise the female egg. The cause of an enlarged prostate is not known but a decrease in the testosterone and oestrogen ratio is thought to be a major trigger.IDENTIFY EARLYAn enlargement of the prostate gland leads to a gradual loss of bladder function. As it causes obstruction to the urethra, , one suffers from frequent, urgent need to urinate, especially at night; weak, or interrupted urine stream; difficulty in emptying the bladder.Symptoms of an enlarged prostate are similar to that of prostate cancer. Thus, even though BPH is usually non-cancerous, it is best to consult a doctor early.USEFUL REMEDIES
SAW PALMETTO
Good sources of EFAs are fish oils, and for vegans, flaxseed oil and pumpkin seed oil. Saw Palmetto is available as a capsule and even as a liquid extract. Nettle is available as a liquid extract.These may also be available in combinations with each other or more herbs.
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