Foods That Help Shrink The Prostate
Men who have symptoms of an enlarged prostate , such as urinary hesitation, frequent nighttime urination and weak urine flow, among others, have a number of options to help shrink the gland. Some of those choices include medications for BPH, which can have nasty side effects or various natural and herbal remedies.
One of those natural routes includes making lifestyle modifications. What better opportunity to help shrink the prostate than by changing what you eat! A mans gotta eat, and by including the following six foods in your daily menu, you can increase your chances of reducing inflammation and prostate size.
Remember, however, that you can experience symptoms of BPH and not actually have an enlarged prostate and vice versa: your prostate may be enlarged yet you will not have symptoms. In either case, making these six foods a part of your diet, along with other natural treatments, such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping your hormones in balance, taking natural supplements and limiting irritants such as alcohol and caffeine, will support both prostate health and urinary tract health.
With that introduction, get ready to love these beverages and foods that shrink the prostate.
Shrink The Prostate Without Expensive Drugs Surgery Or Side Effects
Prostate problems affectmost men over 50.
For some men it means increased urgency and waking up 3 or 4 times a night. For other men it means public incontinence, pain or even prostate cancer.
Eventually, many men give up and wrongly believe that their only options are expensive pills their doctor kept pushing them to take.
These men often end up enduring the nasty side effects, only to discover that the medication they were prescribed is very often a temporary solution at best. Other men are so desperate, they let a surgeon slice into them, digging and scraping and cutting out the prostate gland.
Other men are so desperate, they let a surgeon slice into them, digging and scraping and cutting out the prostate gland.
These men suffer high rates of sexual dysfunction or even permanent impotence .
Many men think that prostate disease is a natural part of getting older, that its inevitable and just something they have to suffer with.
These men couldn’t be more wrong.
Because Prostate Disease is not a symptom of age.
its a metabolic disease, which means…
Prostate problems can be defeatednaturally without drugs, surgery or side effects.
Foods To Avoid: Eggs & Poultry
A study published in the January 2006 issue of Urology explored the connection between diet and BPH symptoms.1 It found that eating eggs and poultry appeared to increase symptoms. This may be to do with the fact that egg yolks have high levels of arachidonic acid, which, as mentioned earlier, increases inflammation.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you must cut eggs and chicken out of your diet completely this is just one study and more research would be needed to make a more thorough conclusion on the issue. However, I would advise you not to focus your diet around these foods and to get more variety instead. Vegetables are an excellent option as they contain and array of nutrients and can be incorporated into meals like curries and soups, as well as snacks.
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When To See A Doctor
If you dont see a reduction in symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, you may need to undergo a different treatment plan.
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.
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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How To Add More Green Tea To Your Diet
If you like the taste of green tea, start by drinking a cup each morning in place of your regular coffee.
If you prefer to skip caffeine, try a decaffeinated version. If you dont like warm tea, try cooling it in your refrigerator and adding ice for a refreshing beverage.
If you arent a fan of the taste, try using cooled green tea as the liquid in homemade smoothies, or adding green tea powder.
Summary
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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.
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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Tweak Your Bathroom Habits
One of the simplest things you can do for the bothersome urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate is change some of your bathroom habits.
Make sure you urinate as soon as you feel the need to go and that you empty your bladder completely each time you go. This will reduce the number of trips you need to make to the bathroom, both day and night.
Michigan Medicine offers the following tips to make it easier to fully empty your bladder when you have BPH:
- Relax as much as possible before you urinate. As we mentioned earlier, anxiety can make it even more difficult to urinate, so try not to worry about your symptoms and consider meditation for a few minutes or doing some deep breathing.
- Don’t rush. Give yourself plenty of time in the bathroom.
- Consider sitting on the toilet instead of standing, to help you relax.
- Turn on a faucet or visualize running water this may help get your urine flowing.
- Read or think of other things while you urinate, to help you stay relaxed.
- Try “double voiding,” when you urinate as much as possible, relax for a few moments, then urinate again.
Foods You Should Not Eat If You Have Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. As the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze down on your urethra, causing the bladder wall to become thicker. This enlargement obstructs the flow of urine and causes symptoms including an intermittent and weak urine stream, straining to urinate, incomplete bladder emptying, sudden uncontrollable urges to urinate and increased urinary frequency.
Past studies have shown that certain foods can not only increase your risk but can also worsen the symptoms of BPH and other prostate issues. The foods listed below are those that should be avoided.
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Almonds For Prostate Health: Just A Little Reduces Bph Symptoms
Recent research suggests beta-sitosterol found in almonds and other nuts may benefit benign prostatic hyperplasia .
In a six-month study of 200 men with BPH, 60 mg per day of a beta-sitosterol improved the symptoms of BPH and increased urine flow.
A follow-up study reported that these improvements in symptoms of BPH were maintained for up to18 months in the 38 participants who continued consuming beta-sitosterol after the study ended.
The best way to get the benefits of almonds for prostate health? You can get 60 mg of beta-sitosterol by enjoying two ounces of almonds.
Supplements That Show Promise
Other supplements show hopeful signs of helping in studies so far, but thereâs less research on these than the more common options.
Pumpkin seeds: These and pumpkin seed oil extract seem to help with BPH symptoms and may shrink the size of the prostate. It may also be helpful when used along with other supplements such as saw palmetto.
Stinging nettle: This is a type of herb, and its root may help with urine flow and waking up a lot at night to pee. Itâs sometimes used along with other supplements to treat BPH symptoms.
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How To Add More Fish To Your Diet
Adding more omega-3s to your diet can be as easy as cracking open a can of sardines or tuna. Not everyone is so enthusiastic about fish, though. Plus, it can also be expensive.
If you havent enjoyed fish in the past, try a different type. Each one has a unique flavor. The flavor is also milder if the fish is fresh, so you may enjoy fish more if you buy it from a fish counter and make it that day.
Cod, flounder, and trout have milder flavors. Try topping your fish with a lemon sauce or adding it to another prostate-friendly food. For example, you could try baked cod in a tomato sauce.
To stretch your dollar, you can also add fish to dishes like pasta, soup, salad, or sandwiches. That way you wont need as much fish to make a complete meal.
You can also ask your healthcare provider about taking omega-3 supplements.
Summary
Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, contain healthful omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds may help keep the prostate healthy, though more studies are needed.
What Is Enlarged Prostate
Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.
The prostate is a small gland located between the bladder and the penis.
As a natural part of aging, a mans prostate gland grows larger. For some men, this growth is uneventful, but for others, it can lead to BPH.
Studies show that 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and 90% of men over 80 are diagnosed with BPH.
One study suggested that an estimated 612 million men globally have BPH.
As the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze down on the urethra, creating a thicker bladder wall.
This enlargement may obstruct the flow of urine and causes a variety of symptoms.
Symptoms of BPH include:
- Urinary retention or inability to urinate
- Painful urination
Treating BPH may depend on the severity of the symptoms.
Mild to moderate BPH symptoms may be treated with lifestyle changes that include following an enlarged prostate diet.
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Tips For Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
- Maintain a healthy weight. For many men, this means avoiding weight loss by getting enough calories on a daily basis. For men who are overweight and are obese, this may mean losing some weight. If you are trying to lose weight, it should be moderate, meaning only about a pound a week.
- Get essential nutrients the body needs, such as protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, such as carotenoids, and water. Not only will your body function better, you will feel better.
- Be as active as you can, such as taking a daily walk. If you sit or sleep too much, you may lose muscle mass and increase your body fat, even if you are not gaining weight.
If you are struggling to eat enough or are eating too much, nutrition counseling may help you get essential nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals into your diet and maintain a healthy body weight. Ask your health care team for a referral to a registered dietitian or nutritionist. Dietitians and other members of the health care team work with people to meet their nutritional needs.
Choose The Mediterranean Diet
A healthy diet for everyone, the Mediterranean diet is especially beneficial for prostate health.
Fresh vegetables, fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil, and fresh fruits, along with whole grains are all heart healthy and prostate healthy. Nuts and avocados are better than carbs and fatty foods, therefore reduce the amount of red meat and processed foods.
One tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or Italian dressings reduce insulin levels and inflammations.
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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.
Side Effects And Nutrition
Cancer treatment often causes side effects, such as nausea, mouth sores, and taste changes that may make it difficult to eat or drink. Follow these tips to help you get the nutrition you need:
- If water tastes unpleasant to you, take in more liquid though items such as soup, tea, milk or milk substitutes such as almond milk, or a sports drink. Or, flavor your water by adding fresh cut fruit.
- If food tastes bland, try seasoning it with flavorful spices such as garlic, cayenne, dill, and rosemary.
- Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of trying to eat large amounts of food at one time.
- Enhance your protein intake with protein from foods such as fish, egg whites, cheese, beans, or high protein smoothies.
- Suck on mints, chew on gum, or try fresh citrus fruits if you have a metallic taste in your mouth. Brushing your teeth before eating, using plastic utensils, and cooking in glassware can also help.
- If you have mouth sores or a gum infection, use a blender to make vegetables and meats smooth. Try juicing or making smoothies.Some side effects are often treated with medication, so talk with your doctor or another member of your health care team for more information.
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Prostate Cancer Prevention Tips
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say. Healthy eating is one example of how prostate cancer may be prevented and, in turn, how you can help keep your sex life humming along. According to Prostate Cancer Canada, a diet high in red meat or full-fat dairy products and low in fruits and vegetables seems to increase the risk of the disease. So theres one cancer-preventing tip already. Out with the Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and meat-lovers pizza, and in with the apples and asparagus!
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.
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Which Food Items Could Make The Prostate Healthy
- Berries
Berries like strawberry, raspberry, blackberry can be helpful in reducing the production of prostate cells that lead to enlargement of the prostate. These berries contain Vitamin C and antioxidants that inhibit free radicals, which cause oxidative stress in the prostate. These free radicals contribute majorly in increasing the prostate size. Thus, eating berries regularly is highly recommended to reduce the risk of an enlarged prostate.
Berries can be consumed as it is or can also be consumed as fruit slush or smoothies or juices.
Nuts
Nuts such as almonds, pistachios, and walnuts can provide relief from the symptoms of enlarged prostate. Studies suggest that:
Almonds contain Vitamin E and manganese that help to fight with free radicals and strengthen immunity.
Pistachios are a good source of arginine , which helps in making the blood vessels healthy and contributes in proper blood flow through the reproductive system.
Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have the ability to fight against inflammation, which further prevents urinary abnormalities.
- Beans
Beans are highly enriched with proteins and the diet of a person suffering from prostate must be rich in proteins. It is also recommended to replace animal proteins with plant proteins so as to balance fatty acid profile of the body. Plant protein can be consumed in the form of beans such as black beans, chia, hemp seeds, etc.
- Soy
- Lycopene-containing food items
Plums
- Pumpkin seeds