But for men, changes in the prostate gland can have them feeling the pressure, urgency and need to empty the old bladder numerous times a day — not to mention the frequent nighttime trips to the toilet.

The good news is that understanding these age-related prostate issues can help men find relief…

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A ‘growing’ problem

The prostate gland is located at the base of the bladder and is usually about the size of a walnut (about 4.8 grams in weight).

However, for reasons doctors still don’t understand, when men hit their 30s, the gland hits a second growth spurt. By the time a man is in his 70s, the gland is a whopping 40 grams on average — nearly 10 times its normal weight.

This growth puts pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body, which is why many men experience urinary changes as they age.

Other issues can spur the growth of the prostate, worsening urinary symptoms. These include inflammation, which is also known as benign prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, which is a blockage of the tubes due to non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.

Bathroom and bedroom problems linked to a growing prostate

Numerous urinary symptoms can result from an enlarged prostate that are not only troubling but negatively impact a man’s quality of life, including:

• Trouble beginning to urinate
• Lack of force in urination (making it difficult to direct the urine stream)
• Dribbling after urination
• Feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bladder
• Needing to urinate frequently (both during the day and at night)
• Urinary urgency (this can include urgency so sudden you can’t make it to the toilet in time)
• Feeling like you have to go soon after urinating

Next, two things happen that a man hopes he’ll never experience…

First, most men can reach this point without experiencing a bladder infection. But an enlarged prostate makes it difficult to empty the bladder fully. And when urine collects and stews, it’s ripe for bacteria and infection.

Secondly, prostatitis or BPH can put the brakes on a man’s sex life. Indirectly, these conditions lead to ED because they reduce both sex drive and satisfaction and create problems with ejaculation.

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Supporting prostate health

Luckily, an enlarged prostate gland doesn’t always cause urinary problems. And even if you have troublesome urinary symptoms, they’re rarely a sign of something serious. Of course, you should always let your doctor know about any problems you experience or changes, just to be sure.

But there’s no reason a man should silently suffer and stop doing the things he enjoys for fear of a bladder leak.

Over time, several natural remedies for prostate and urinary support have proven their worth and are available as individual supplements and in special formulations. Those always at the top of the list include:

1. Saw Palmetto appears to reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone which, at elevated levels, causes the prostate to become enlarged.
2. Beta-Sitosterol. Studies show that beta-sitosterol can help improve urinary flow rates, reducing the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination and improving overall quality of life.
3. Lycopene is a prostate-reducing compound found in tomatoes and is considered the “ultimate male antioxidant” to help combat free radicals that can cause cell damage.
4. Selenium is an essential mineral for encouraging the natural death of old, damaged cells.
5. Red Clover Extract. Isoflavones from red clover may inhibit smooth muscle contractions in the prostate, which could be beneficial in BPH treatment and help relieve unwanted prostate symptoms.
6. Pygeum Bark Extract. Although pygeum has been studied for a variety of ailments, it has demonstrated the most promise for the management of an enlarged prostate, including calming the frequent urge to go.
7. Pumpkin Seed. Double-blind scientific studies have shown that pumpkin seed extract helps urinary flow, voiding time, and reduces leftover urine volume in men with prostate concerns.
8. Nettle Leaf Extract. Several studies have found stinging nettle root to be effective at promoting normal prostate size and relieving the urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged and aging prostate.
9. Zinc. The prostate gland contains a high concentration of this mineral, and nature didn’t put it there for nothing. It has an impact on testosterone levels, which are important to maintain as you age.
10. D-mannose can prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. It’s been shown to be more effective than antibiotics at getting rid of recurrent urinary tract infections.

Sources:

Prostate gland and urinary problems – Better Health Channel

Walnut Weights & Calories (Including Calculator & Charts) – Weight School

The post How to handle that ‘growing’ prostate problem appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It can be caused by bacteria, but the most common form of prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), does not usually involve bacteria and is often caused by problems elsewhere in the body and outside of the prostate itself.

The most frustrating part about CPPS is that it is very difficult to treat and can have devastating effects on a man’s health. If you have been suffering from recurring prostatitis symptoms, do not despair.

There are many things you can do, and the best way to manage chronic prostatitis is with a multimodal whole-body approach that involves diet, stress management, lifestyle adaptations and a number of natural and alternative treatments.

Here are six ways to deal with a flare-up of prostatitis. It is recommended to try several different approaches so you can get to the source of your pain.

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Relax the pelvic floor

In about half the cases of prostatitis, the pelvic pain is due to chronic tension in the pelvic floor muscles. One of the most significant contributors to this is stress. And, of course, having this difficult-to-treat and painful condition that does not go away only increases your stress and anxiety, contributing further to your problems.

Learn your best way to manage stress to help relieve prostatitis, whether by exercise (which is in itself helpful for treating prostatitis), breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi, mediation, or by talking to a therapist.

Cognitive behavioral training is commonly part of alternative treatment programs that treat pelvic tension. Some men are unaware that they clench their pelvic floor muscles when stressed or anxious. This can lead to inflammation and chronic tension in the pelvic floor, leading to pain, urinary problems, and sometimes sexual problems.

Since this tension likely developed over many years, you are not going to fix this overnight, but working to address the cause of the pelvic floor disorder by managing your stress and anxiety will help you manage your pain and prevent future flare-ups.

Change your diet

If you eat a lot of spicy foods or acidic foods, your diet can be causing prostatitis flare-ups. Studies have found that there are certain foods to avoid for prostatitis because they exacerbate symptoms. Try cutting out spicy foods, caffeinated beverages, hot peppers, chili, alcohol, wheat and acidic foods.

Pay attention to what you eat by keeping a food journal. If your symptoms worsen after eating a particular food, stop eating it for a while. Food allergies and intolerances can also lead to prostatitis flare-ups.

Try prostate supplements

There are many well-researched supplements for prostatitis. A few are even part of the treatment protocols recommended by urologists.

Supplements can help reduce inflammation, maximize prostate health, and support better pelvic and urinary health.

Some of the supplements with the most successful clinical studies and research behind them include Graminex pollen, quercetin, and turmeric (curcumin). Pollen extracts and quercetin are often combined in a therapy called phytotherapy, which is used for relieving sexual pain, reducing inflammation and supporting immunity.

Other supplements with significant research for prostate and urinary health include probiotics, plant sterols, green tea, stinging nettle, pygeum, phytonutrients like DIM, cranberry, saw palmetto, and vitamin D.

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Add some alternative treatments

The most successful approach to prostatitis usually involves employing several different treatments, including alternative therapies for prostatitis.

These drug-free ways to treat prostatitis may include simple treatments you can do at home, such as applying ice packs to the area or sitting in a sitz bath. Some men find relief from taking pressure off the prostate area by sitting on special cushions and pillows.

Other alternative chronic prostatitis treatments that require help from a trained professional involve acupuncture, biofeedback, prostate massage, trigger point release therapy, intrapelvic physiotherapy or pelvic floor rehabilitation. As mentioned, many of these methods are complemented by a good stress management or cognitive training program to lead to long-term success.

Have sex

Got your attention? Yes, sex is one treatment for prostatitis. Avoiding sex or a lack of sex can lead to prostatitis because semen can accumulate in the prostate and lead to inflammation. Aim to ejaculate at least once a week to clear out the prostate. If pain during sex is one of your problems, then look into treatments for sexual pain, like phytotherapy.

Medications for prostatitis

If none of the other treatments are working, there are several drugs for prostatitis. None of them “cure” chronic prostatitis, but they can help if you have severe symptoms. While antibiotics may be necessary if you have acute bacterial prostatitis, they are not recommended or helpful for CPPS and can lead to more complications and problems.

In the short term, you might find some acute pain relief with anti-inflammatory drugs, but these medications are not safe for long-term use, which is why it is wise to look into natural and alternative treatments for managing pain.

Several medications can help with severe urinary symptoms, muscle spasms, or neuropathic pain. Some of these medications have side effects, so be sure to research if the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you follow these ways to deal with a prostatitis flare-up and have patience with them, you may be able to resolve your pelvic pain long-term. Following a natural, whole-body approach that involves several different treatments so you can approach your prostatitis from different angles (diet, exercise, psychological health, supplements, and alternative therapies) is going to lead you down the path to better prostate and pelvic health.

The post Six ways to deal with a prostatitis flare-up appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

As common as BPH is, experts are still somewhat baffled as to precisely what causes the prostate to enlarge. There’s speculation, however, of a connection with a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT stimulates the proliferation of certain cells in the prostate, enlarging the gland. However, dihydrotestosterone levels are the same in men with and without BPH, so it’s still anyone’s guess why some men develop enlarged prostates and others don’t.

As investigators continue to explore possible causes of BPH, they may have hit upon a link between BPH and a pair of conditions becoming more prevalent in aging men….

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Inflammation + metabolic syndrome = enlarged prostate

A team of Polish researchers decided to examine how inflammation and metabolic health contribute to BPH. They analyzed blood samples from 219 men, including 144 with BPH and 75 without, and measured markers related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Their results showed that men with BPH had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory molecules such as 12S-HETE and 5-HETE and lower levels of anti-inflammatory substances like lipoxin A4.

This imbalance was even more pronounced in men with both BPH and metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions including obesity, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.

In short, these findings suggest that inflammatory-related molecules in the blood may play a key role in BPH development, especially in men with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation may also exacerbate the severity of BPH and contribute to its development.

“Our research results suggest that pro-inflammatory mediators and suppressors of inflammation are involved in the development of BPH, but their exact contribution has yet to be investigated,” the authors write in the study paper.

“Furthermore, there is mounting evidence that links the onset of inflammation with the development of prostate diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer,” they add.

The study indicates that monitoring metabolic health could play a role in reducing the risk of prostate enlargement. However, further research is needed and may focus on whether anti-inflammatory treatments or lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight management and exercise could help slow the progression of BPH or reduce its symptoms​.

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Natural solutions to BPH relief

Some men with BPH don’t have any symptoms. But for many, it can cause problems such as increased urinary frequency and urgency and an inability to completely empty the bladder.

In these cases, doctors often prescribe medications such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to help shrink the prostate. Unfortunately, those medications can cause their own problems, such as an elevated risk of diabetes.

If you’re experiencing BPH and are at risk for diabetes, you may want to seek natural alternatives to these drugs for relieving your urinary symptoms. One place to start is with your diet. Research shows that a diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, similar to the Mediterranean diet can improve prostate health and BPH.

Saw palmetto is a natural supplement that has proven effective in promoting prostate health, relieving the excessive need to urinate (particularly at night) and enhancing urinary flow.

Green and black tea have also been linked with improved urinary flow and reduced inflammation in men with lower urinary tract symptoms, such as those found in BPH. Just make sure you don’t drink it too close to bedtime as the caffeine could interfere with sleep.

Lastly, ensure you’re getting plenty of exercise, as that has been shown to lower your risk of BPH and prostate problems.

Sources:

Inflammation and metabolic syndrome linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia — EurekAlert!

The profile of oxidative stress markers (arachidonic and linoleic acid derivatives) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia in relation to metabolic syndrome — Aging

Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) — Yale Medicine

The post Metabolic syndrome’s link to enlarged prostate appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Why is it recommended you have your PSA checked? An elevated PSA can be an early indication that something is not quite right with the prostate, such as the possibility of prostatitis, an enlarged prostate, or prostate cancer, while a lower PSA is a strong indication of good prostate health. However, an elevated PSA can be associated with other situations that don’t directly involve prostate health, such as a reaction to medication, a urinary tract infection, recent catheterization or ejaculation, or inflammation of the prostate associated with a sports injury or age.

In any event, it’s best to get a PSA test so you and your doctor can decide whether any action is necessary. As a general course of action, you can help ensure a healthy prostate by following certain lifestyle guidelines.

Eat more fruits, vegetables and nuts

Although several hormones have an impact on the prostate, one in particular — DHT, or dihydrotestosterone — promotes prostate inflammation and stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone that can promote abnormal cell growth and cancer. Certain foods contain substances shown to naturally inhibit DHT. One of those substances is lycopene, which is found in carrots, mangoes, tomatoes, and watermelon.

A National Institutes of Health study noted that lycopene inhibits IGF-I growth in prostate cells by reducing DHT-modulated IGF-I production. Other food substances that inhibit DHT include L-lysine (in almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts), and zinc (in cashews, kale, spinach, wheat germ, white mushrooms, and supplements). Make a point to include several of the mentioned foods in your diet every day.

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    • Weak urine stream
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Add some pomegranate to your diet

Whether you enjoy pomegranate juice, the tasty pulp and seeds, or prefer the supplement, be sure to include this fruit in your diet more often. Research at Johns Hopkins has shown that this phytonutrient-rich fruit can reduce the rate of PSA doubling in men who have prostate cancer. Overall, the doubling time increased from 11.9 months at baseline to 18.5 months after treatment with pomegranate extract. Since pomegranate is rich in sugar, taking a supplement may be better than having the fruit on a regular basis.

Exercise more

Staying physically active on a regular basis can help lower your PSA levels. Aerobic activities, such as walking, running, cycling, and rowing, are encouraged as well as some resistance exercise to help strengthen and tone muscles. A highly recommended exercise approach is HIIT (high-intensity interval training), which is perfect for men who want to maximize their exercise benefits in a minimal amount of time.

A study in the Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine looked at the PSA levels and physical activity of nearly 2,000 healthy males and found that “PSA levels were significantly higher among the group with hypertension or the group of individuals that did not exercise regularly or group of office workers who were considered to have lesser physical activities.”

Lose weight

Some contradictory evidence surrounds the association between overweight and obesity and PSA. On the one hand, excess weight is associated with a greater risk of prostate cancer, prostatitis, and enlarged prostate, all conditions also associated with an elevated PSA. However, several studies point to lower PSA levels in healthy overweight and obese men, including a new study in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. Overall however, losing weight is the more logical and healthful step for the prostate and your general health.

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Take aspirin

Several studies have indicated that use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce PSA levels. A University of Arizona study, for example, found that this effect was especially significant among men who had never smoked. Before taking aspirin, however, talk to your healthcare provider about whether it is safe for you to do so and the optimal dose for you.

Eat more tomatoes

Tomatoes are an important source of the potent antioxidant lycopene, which has been shown to reduce PSA levels and lower a man’s risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene is released from tomatoes when they are cooked, so you get the most benefit from enjoying stewed tomatoes, tomato soup, tomato-based pasta sauces, and tomato juice. One caution, however: don’t eat tomatoes that have been canned, as they may have been exposed to BPA (bisphenol-A) in the lining of the can, a chemical that disrupts your endocrine system and may contribute to prostate cancer. Fresh is definitely best when it comes to this fruit.

Reduce or avoid foods that harm the prostate

You may be surprised at how many common foods irritate the prostate and can contribute to a rise in PSA levels and an enlarged prostate. Here are some of the foods and beverages that fall into this category:

• Foods that contain acrylamide, such as French fries and potato chips (the two biggest offenders) and doughnuts
• Foods rich in saturated fats
• Excess alcohol
• Nonfermented soy products such as tofu and edamame, which can raise estrogen levels
• Microwave popcorn
• Nonorganic potatoes, meats, and dairy products
• Canned foods, especially tomatoes, which are acidic and more likely to leach bisphenol A (a hormone disruptor) from the lining of the cans
• And these 8 worst foods for prostrate health.

Reduce animal protein intake

Meat, poultry, and dairy foods are typically high in protein and also trigger the release of a substance called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). When you consume a considerable amount of these high-protein foods, the body makes a lot of IGF-I and can use some of it to promote cancer growth, including prostate cancer.

A study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention reported that IGF-I levels were elevated among animal protein eaters but not among plant protein consumers. In fact, eating plant protein seemed to reduce IGF-1 levels. If you do eat animal protein, be sure to choose organic products that have not been raised with antibiotics or any other hormones.

Try quercetin and pollen

Both quercetin and pollen have demonstrated properties that promote and support prostate health, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities, especially in the management of the inflammatory condition known as prostatitis. In addition, a new study in Urology looked at the effect of an anti-inflammatory combination (consisting of quercetin, nimesulide, saw palmetto, and bromelain) taken daily for three months by men with PSA values of 7.2 ng/mL or 7.3 ng/mL at baseline. By the end of the study, the combination had effectively and safely reduced PSA levels from 7.3 ng/mL to 4.6 ng/mL among men who had prostate inflammation. Both quercetin and pollen can be taken separately, but they also can be found together in supplement formulas designed to support prostate health.

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Follow The Prostate Diet

Men who want to help keep PSA levels low, support overall prostate health, and fight inflammation are encouraged to follow The Prostate Diet. The diet has 10 foundations which, if you follow them consistently, should reward you with a healthy prostate and overall health as well. Post them where you can refer to them until they become a habit.

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, organic whenever possible
• Consume healthy fats — monounsaturated, omega-3 fatty acids
• Choose plant protein over animal protein
• Drink green tea often
• Choose whole, natural foods over refined, processed foods
• Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., cold-water fatty fish, walnuts, algae)
• Avoid or significantly limit certain foods and supplements (see “Reduce or avoid foods that harm the prostate”)
• Choose prostate cancer-killing foods and supplements, such as tomatoes, green tea, and vitamin D
• Stay well hydrated with pure water
• Consider taking natural supplements that support prostate health

Sources:

1. Algotar AM et al. Effect of aspirin, other NSAIDs, and statins on PSA and PSA velocity. Prostate 2010 Jun 1; 70(8): 883-88
2. Allen NE et al. The associations of diet with serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and its main binding proteins in 292 women meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2002 Nov; 11(11): 1441-48
3. Gallo L. The effect of a pure anti-inflammatory therapy on reducing prostate-specific antigen levels in patients diagnosed with a histologic prostatitis. Urology 2016 Aug; 94:198-203
4. Kim SH et al. Serum prostate-specific antigen levels and type of work in tire manufacturing workers. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2014 Nov 4; 26(1): 50
5. Liu X et al. Lycopene inhibits IGF-I signal transduction and growth in normal prostate epithelial cells by decreasing DHT-modulated IGF-I production in co-cultured reactive stromal cells. Carcinogenesis 2008 Apr; 29(4): 816-23
6. Paller CJ et al. A randomized phase II study of pomegranate extract for men with rising PSA following initial therapy for localized prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Disease 2013 Mar; 16(1): 50-55
7. Zhang J et al. An inverse association of obesity and prostate-specific antigen in elderly males. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2016; 9(9): 18746-53

The post 10 ways to lower your PSA levels appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Five years later, the same medication was approved to treat hair loss when scientists discovered that by reducing DHT levels, finasteride also worked to block hair follicle shrinkage and promote hair regrowth.

Now, research is suggesting this wonder drug could offer even more benefits — benefits that could be the key to saving your heart as you age.

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New clues found in old data

Clues to finasteride’s heart health benefits first appeared in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2009 and 2016.

Dr. Jaume Amengual, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois looked back at that data and found that men taking the drug averaged cholesterol levels 30 points lower than men not taking the drug.

However, while that 30-point difference was massive, Dr. Amengual knew he had to dig deeper before they could truly attribute the drop in cholesterol to the drug.

 “This was not a clinical study in which you can control everything perfectly,” admitted Amengual. “It was more of an observation that led us to say, ‘Okay, now we’ve seen this in people. Let’s see what happens in mice.”

The connection stacks up

Mice predisposed to atherosclerosis (a condition where arteries narrow due to plaque buildup) — and who were fed a diet high in cholesterol — were administered varying doses of finasteride to see how it performed, ranging from 0, 10, 100, and 1000 milligrams per kilogram of food.

And sure enough, the results held true.

The researchers found that mice given the highest dose of the drug had:

• Lower cholesterol levels in their blood plasma
• Reduced cholesterol in their arteries
• Fewer lipids and inflammatory markers in their livers

According to these findings, which were published in the Journal of Lipid Research, the medication might offer benefits that go beyond cholesterol-lowering and include the ability to reduce inflammation and even block the formation of plaques in the arteries.

From cholesterol reduction to better heart health

So how in the world does a prostate drug keep cholesterol in check?

Well, the scientists say it’s pretty simple.

As we mentioned earlier, finasteride works by stopping the body from converting testosterone into a derivative of the hormone, called DHT.

While DHT is best known for causing prostate hypertrophy and hair loss, both DHT and testosterone itself can play a role in the development of atherosclerosis.

This means that controlling levels of DHT and other testosterone derivatives could have a positive impact on cholesterol metabolism and could even reduce inflammation, ultimately supporting better heart health.

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There’s always a catch

However, don’t run out and ask your doctor for a finasteride prescription just yet since there are some issues to be aware of…

First, in that rodent study, the researchers say that the mice that experienced reductions in cholesterol were given levels of the drugs that would be toxic to humans.

Second, previous studies of finasteride have shown that it has some drawbacks. It’s been linked to an increase in diabetes risk and a common side effect is loss of libido.

Going safer and more natural

A natural option to finasteride just may be beta-sitosterol.

Beta-sitosterol works by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase activity to block testosterone conversion to DHT the same way that finasteride works.

Yet, it doesn’t have the negative side effects of the drug. And studies have shown that beta-sitosterol promotes prostate health, heart health and discourages hair loss and insulin resistance.

In fact, if you’re looking to support healthy cholesterol levels, plant sterols, like beta-sitosterol, are the way to go…

That’s because plant sterols leverage our internal cholesterol circulation system to dramatically reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.

Of course, many of us have never heard of beta-sitosterol.

But you’ve probably heard of saw palmetto, which many men already use to support prostate health.

Well, here’s the skinny on saw palmetto…

The reason it works is thanks to it beta-sitosterol content!

It’s why saw palmetto has been found to have benefits for the prostate, hair loss and beyond.

Sources:

Common hair loss and prostate drug may also cut heart disease risk in men and mice — ACES News

Old drug, new life: “Magic pill” regrows hair, heals prostate, boosts heart health — earth.com

Finasteride — Drugs.com

Saw Palmetto vs. Finasteride for Hair Loss — hims

Beta-sitosterol: Natural support for the prostate, heart and more — Easy Health Options

Can saw palmetto shrink the prostate? — Easy Health Options

Effect of β-sitosterol on glucose homeostasis by sensitization of insulin resistance via enhanced protein expression of PPRγ and glucose transporter 4 in high fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats — Cytotechnology

The post The prostate drug that reduces hair loss and heart disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But I’ve been hearing a lot recently about black garlic, which has twice the antioxidant level of the better-known white variety.

Black garlic is simply white garlic that’s been subject to a fermentation process that’s been used in Asia for thousands of years.

It involves fermenting white garlic at controlled high temperature and humidity for about three to four weeks. During that time, the garlic produces dark-colored melanoidin in addition to natural sugars and amino acids.

The health benefits of black garlic are similar to those of white garlic. It also contains tons of probiotics, which means it can help stabilize the gut. And it is being investigated for even broader applications — including a disease that will strike one out of every eight men in their lifetime…

Fermented black garlic extract may slow prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in U.S. men, behind skin cancer. And it’s the third leading cause of cancer death in men in Spain, which is why researchers there decided to explore the impact of fermented black garlic extract on prostate cancer cells.

The researchers took into account a previous experiment in mice in which the extract was found to have anti-inflammatory characteristics. Inflammation plays an important role in prostate cancer.

“We tested the extract in different human prostate cancer cell models and found that it was capable of reducing various tumor aggressiveness parameters, including cell proliferation,” says researcher Antonio Montero. Put more simply, the extract appeared to make the prostate cancer cells less aggressive and less likely to spread.

“We also found that it did not affect normal prostate cells,” Montero adds. This means the compound could be administered as a dietary supplement without any potentially negative impact on healthy prostate cells.

Having demonstrated the anticancer effect of fermented black garlic extract, the researchers sought to identify which molecular pathways were affected by the compound. They were able to verify that the compound altered key signaling pathways in the cancer, including those related to inflammation.

“The treatment decreases the inflammatory environment that you can see in this type of cancer,” says principal investigator Raúl Luque. “The extract was more effective and was able to produce more changes when the cells were in a pro-inflammatory environment. The local inflammation could be related to the aggressiveness of the cancer, and the fact that this extract acts on it could be due to its reduced aggressiveness after the extract treatment.”

Luque notes that the results indicate fermented black garlic extract “could be a very good option to avert some of the adverse events that occur in patients who are going to progress to a more complex and aggressive stage of prostate cancer.”

Where to find black garlic

Further study in humans is needed to determine the preventive effect of the compound. This would involve conducting a pilot study in people with a family history of prostate cancer or continuing with a clinical study in patients who already have it, administering the extract to see whether the cancer’s progress can be slowed or stopped.

For now, if you’re a man with a history of prostate cancer in your family, you may want to add black garlic to your diet to help protect your prostate health. You can use black garlic just as you would use regular garlic in recipes, dips and spreads. One advantage black garlic has over white garlic is that it doesn’t have the same pungent odor.

Fortunately, black garlic has become more readily available in grocery stores in recent years. It can be bought whole, in ready-to-use peeled cloves or as a black garlic paste. Make sure you check the expiration date for the latter two forms and use them within three months after opening. If you buy whole black garlic, keep it in the refrigerator and use it within six months.

If you prefer the convenience of a supplement, you can also buy black garlic supplements in powdered or liquid extract form at health food stores or online.

Sources:

The beneficial effects of fermented black garlic extract on prostate cancer are evaluated — EurekAlert!

The Protective Effects of an Aged Black Garlic Water Extract on the Prostate — Nutrients

The Health Benefits of Garlic — Cleveland Clinic

A Cook’s Guide to Black Garlic: What It Is, How It’s Made, Plus 15 Tasty Ways to Use It — Forks Over Knives

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer — American Cancer Society

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A lot is known about how diet and exercise can reduce a man’s risk of ending up with prostate cancer. But in terms of the standard treatment, one mystery remains.

Or it did, until a group of dedicated cancer researchers found the answer that had been eluding us…

The testosterone paradox

Many men with prostate cancer are put on hormone therapy (also called androgen deprivation therapy or ADT) to reduce levels of testosterone and keep the hormone from fueling cancer cells.

This is one half of the testosterone paradox…

While blocking testosterone production halts tumor growth in the early stages of prostate cancer, elevating testosterone levels can have the same positive effect in later stages of the disease.

The reasons for this have puzzled experts until a Duke Cancer Institute study uncovered the explanation…

Testosterone: one hormone, diverse cancer functions

The answer turned out to be pretty simple.

When testosterone levels are low, testosterone receptors in cancer cells tend to “go solo.” They activate the pathways that cause cancer cells to grow and spread — effectively paving the way for more cancer growth.

But as testosterone levels rise, the same receptors are forced to work in pairs. This creates a different form of receptor that stops tumor growth.

“Nature has designed a system where low doses of hormones stimulate cancer cell proliferation and high doses cause differentiation and suppress growth, enabling the same hormone to perform diverse functions,” says Dr. Donald McDonnell, in whose lab this experiment was performed.

Late-stage BAT protocol closer to becoming mainstream treatment

Prior to this, oncologists knew that a monthly injection of testosterone given to patients with late-stage prostate cancer — a technique called bi-polar androgen therapy, or BAT — helped to slow the advance of tumors and prolong life in many cases.

But they didn’t know why it worked and that hindered widespread adoption of the treatment protocol.

Now that the mechanisms are clear, the path is open to adopting this as a more mainstream approach to treating advanced cases of prostate cancer, and Dr. McDonnell hopes his study will pave the way.

“Our study describes how BAT and like approaches work and could help physicians select patients who are most likely to respond to this intervention,” he says.

“We have already developed new drugs that exploit this new mechanism and are bringing these to the clinic for evaluation as prostate cancer therapeutics.”

How to reduce risk for prostate cancer

As I mentioned earlier, a healthy diet, especially one rich in cruciferous vegetables, and exercise can contribute to preventing prostate cancer. Exercise may even suppress tumor growth in advanced prostate cancer.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important. But even more crucial is that you don’t carry a load of belly fat, better known as visceral fat.

Visceral fat has a mind of its own. It’s not just fat – it’s an organ that is biochemically active and can disrupt hormones, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) the hormone behind prostate cancer.

So your mission, then, is to keep that spare tire from catching up with you.

Here are a dozen habits that pack on dangerous belly fat. Not surprisingly, they include eating processed foods and drinking soda with aspartame, which actually increases belly fat.

But take a close look – because some of them may surprise you.

Sources:

Study solves testosterone’s paradoxical effects in prostate cancer — Eureka Alert

Androgen receptor monomers and dimers regulate opposing biological processes in prostate cancer cells — Nature Communications

The post The prostate cancer ‘testosterone paradox’ solved appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Additionally, half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 will experience benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. This number increases to 70 percent for men aged 60 to 69 and reaches 90 percent for men over 85.

And while many men stay silent about their prostate problems, ignoring this widespread health issue won’t make it disappear.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH, Enlarged prostate)

The prostate, a walnut-sized gland, helps produce semen, the fluid that carries sperm. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out from the bladder. As the prostate grows, it can squeeze the urethra.

As men get older, the prostate often enlarges such that the gland can double or even triple in size — imagine a walnut growing to the size of a lime. The resultant squeezing of the urethra can make urination difficult and prevent the bladder from emptying fully. Those affected may need to urinate more often, especially at night, experience extreme urgency to urinate or may even experience involuntary urination.

What causes an enlarged prostate?

There isn’t enough confirmed scientific evidence about the precise blend of genetic, environmental, dietary, and other influences that lead to prostate issues as men grow older. This uncertainty means there’s no simple way to avoid these problems.

Growing older appears to be the biggest factor in developing an enlarged prostate.

However, research has also shown that men who are overweight, or who have risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, may be more likely to have an enlarged prostate. So improving cardiometabolic health could potentially have a significant – and seemingly unrelated – side benefit in men.

In the extreme, an enlarged prostate can have serious consequences such as recurrent urinary tract infections or kidney malfunction, but for most men, symptoms are more about quality of life, and treatments aim to ease urinary difficulties. Cutting down on fluids in the evenings and limiting diuretics like caffeine and alcohol can help. For more significant relief, medications can relax or shrink the prostate, and surgical options can reduce its size.

Prostate cancer and at-risk groups

Men who live long enough are likely to develop prostate cancer; 70 percent of those over 70 have some cancerous cells in their prostate. Indeed, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In the U.S. and U.K., prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men, following lung cancer. The average age at diagnosis is 67, with cases rare in men under 40.

Genetic mutations play a role, with family history increasing risk significantly. Men with two or more close male relatives with prostate cancer are 5-10 times more likely to be diagnosed. Additionally, Black men face a 70 percent higher risk of getting and dying from prostate cancer for reasons not yet fully understood.

When it comes to prostate cancer, the best offense is a good defense. Meaning – getting screened and catching it early. According to the American Cancer Society, starting screening is appropriate at:

• Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer
• Age 45 for men at higher risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
• Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age)

Prostate gland enlargement does not mean you have prostate cancer or that you will develop it. Prostate cancer and BPH are different conditions.

Treatment for enlarged prostate

Beta-sitosterol, a specific plant sterol, has been shown to improve urinary symptoms and even reduce the risk of prostate cancer. While the data on plant sterols and prostate health isn’t as strong as that for heart health, the benefits are promising.

The actual way plant sterols do this is unclear, but multiple potential mechanisms have been documented. For example, beta-sitosterol has been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in the cells involved in the genesis/growth of prostate cancer. In terms of BPH, multiple studies have also shown that beta-sitosterol can significantly improve urinary tract symptoms, but as effectively as pharmaceuticals (though without side effects).

Most plant sterol supplements used for BPH symptoms deliver between 300 and 400 mg of beta-sitosterol. That means if you’re a man and you’re eating even one serving of Step One Foods per day, you’re getting plenty of beta-sitosterol for supporting prostate health as well! One serving of Step One Foods delivers 750 milligrams of beta-sitosterol. Each product contains at least 1000 mg of plant sterols, with around 75 percent being beta-sitosterol.

Beyond prostate support, Step One products offer extra health benefits, including improved heart health — the leading cause of death for men and women. Prostate cancer is clearly a scary prospect. But so is a heart attack or stroke.

The post Prostate problems: Too common to ignore appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

For men though, it’s a process fraught with anxiety. PSA screenings are often inaccurate and present false positives that lead to unnecessary and very uncomfortable biopsies.

For these reasons, experts began to weigh the benefits against the potential for harm, including long-term urinary incontinence that can occur when the biopsy requires multiple needle sticks.

But in the time since routine PSA testing fell out of favor as a widespread practice, the number of metastatic prostate cancer cases has risen, with diagnoses increasing from 4 percent to 8 percent between 2003 and 2017

The 5-year survival rate for metastatic prostate cancer is 31 percent, compared with the nearly 100 percent 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer caught in the early stages.

Investigators hope they’ve finally hit on just the right test to set these numbers back…

A new test to reduce the need for biopsy

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created MyProstateScore 2.0 (MPS2), a test that screens for prostate cancer in urine samples. MPS2 seeks out 18 different genes associated with high-grade prostate tumors.

“If you’re negative on this test, it’s almost certain that you don’t have aggressive prostate cancer,” says Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan, a professor at the University of Michigan.

The researchers started with a database of more than 58,000 prostate cancer-associated genes and narrowed it to 54 uniquely overexpressed in cancers classified as Grade Group 2 (GG2) or higher. Prostate cancers are ranked from least (GG1) to most (GG5) dangerous.

Then, they tested those 54 genes against urine samples from 761 men with elevated PSA who were scheduled for biopsy. The effort yielded 18 genes that consistently correlated with high-grade cancer in the biopsy specimens — the same genes MPS2 now tests for.

The MPS2 was validated against more than 800 urine samples and correctly identified 95 percent of GG2 prostate cancers and 99 percent of cancers that were GG3 or higher. When estimates of the prostate’s size (or volume) were incorporated, test accuracy was even higher.

How many of those men could have avoided a painful and unnecessary biopsy if the MPS2 had been used? 41 percent — if the prostate volume was included in the measure — and 37 percent if it wasn’t

With the standard PSA blood test, only 26 percent of biopsies would have been avoided.

They noted that even though MRI scans can also be used to predict whether a prostate tumor is likely to spread, ruling out high-grade cancer with a urine test offers some advantages over MRI.

“This research is very encouraging, since many men in rural areas may not have access to prostate MRI machines or the added sophistication that is needed in interpreting these MRI scans,” says Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “A widely available urine test may eventually help provide more precision in determining who should undergo a prostate biopsy, and may also help to assess the probability that a cancer is clinically significant and in need of treatment.”

Update: Researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have clinically validated the urine test, which can potentially bypass these invasive procedures among men who are unlikely to benefit. The team modified the urine collection approach so that the MPS2 test could detect markers for prostate cancer, without requiring a prior rectal exam.

From a cohort of 266 men who did not undergo a rectal exam, they found that the test could detect 94% of GG2 or higher cancers and was more sensitive than blood tests. Further, mathematical models demonstrated that the use of MPS2 would have avoided up to 53% of unnecessary biopsies.

MPS2 is currently available through Lynx Dx, a University of Michigan spin-off company that has an exclusive university license to commercialize MPS2. Patients interested in learning more can call the Michigan Medicine Cancer AnswerLine at 800-865-1125.

When to get tested

If you are a Black man, the American Cancer Society’s current recommendation is to discuss prostate cancer testing with your doctor beginning at age 45. All other men should discuss prostate cancer testing with their doctor beginning at age 50.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has slightly different recommendations. They advise beginning testing at age 40 if you have a family history of prostate, breast, ovarian, pancreas or other cancers, are Black, or have known BRCA 1/2 mutations. All other men should begin testing at age 45.

Along with testing, lifestyle factors can cut down on prostate cancer risk…

The Mediterranean Diet is the best place to start according to experts who say men with higher levels of lycopene and selenium in their blood are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

You also want to make every effort to maintain a healthy weight. Numerous studies have linked hormones secreted by excess fat cells with aggressive prostate cancer. And belly fat, in particular, has been associated with death from prostate cancer.

Last but not least is exercise — which, even in men diagnosed with prostate cancer, has been shown to act like a roadblock to cancer progression.

And don’t forget to check with your doctor on the availability of the MPS2 urine test.

Sources:

New urine test may help some men with elevated PSA avoid biopsy — Harvard Health Publishing

Development and Validation of an 18-Gene Urine Test for High-Grade Prostate Cancer — JAMA Oncology

Put your love into action. Get screened. — American Cancer Society

Should I Be Screened? — Prostate Cancer Foundation

The post The urine test that could save more men from a prostate biopsy appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But even so, prostate cancer comes with uncomfortable symptoms like pelvic pain, trouble urinating and bone pain.

There are two ways prostate cancer is typically treated:

• Prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate, or a radical prostatectomy, which removes the prostate as well as the seminal vesicles and possibly nearby lymph nodes.
• Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays similar to X-rays to kill the cancer. It’s either done externally, where a machine outside the body directs radiation at the cancer cells, or internally, where radioactive seeds or pellets are surgically placed into or near the cancer to destroy its cells.

Not only are these two therapies pretty invasive, they can come with devastating side effects, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Luckily, other, less invasive treatments for prostate cancer are still under investigation — and one in particular is very promising…

Ultrasound method shows success

MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small catheter-like device to precisely apply ultrasound and MRI-guided thermotherapy (producing high heat) to destroy cancerous tissue within the prostate gland. TULSA can be performed in two to three hours in an outpatient or inpatient setting under general or spinal anesthesia.

According to Dr. Steven S. Raman, M.D., FASR, FSIR, professor of radiology, urology and surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, “This image-guided therapy maximizes our ability to kill cancer cells while minimizing collateral damage to the prostate to achieve the ultimate trifecta in prostate cancer treatment: full local cancer control while maintaining urinary continence and potency. The latter are the complications of most prostate cancer therapies that patients hate and often result from a lack of precision in treatment monitoring.”

As lead author of a prospective observational study that put TULSA to the test, he has the results to back up his statement…

• Participants in that study showed improvement in the reduction of cancer, prostate size and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a marker for cancer.
• At one year after TULSA, cancer was undetectable on follow-up biopsy by 76 percent, and there was a decrease in median prostate volume by 92 percent.
• At five years after TULSA, there was a decrease in PSA from 6.3ng/ml to 0.63 ng/ml.

And, compared to alternative surgical, radiation and thermal therapy (US-guided HIFU or cryotherapy), TULSA had a very favorable side effect profile…

By 5 years following the procedure, 92 percent of patients recovered continence and 87 percent preserved erectile function.

However, TULSA does not preclude future treatment with surgery or radiation. Of the 115 men participating in the study, 25 received follow-up conventional treatment with surgery or radiation because of residual or new tumors.

Dr. Ramen believes the success of TULSA represents a revolution in whole-gland treatment for prostate cancer and plans to study the procedure’s effectiveness in the CAPTAIN trial, a randomized control trial comparing TULSA with radical prostatectomy.

 “We have more research to do, but if validated, TULSA has the potential to change the standard of care for thousands of men.”

Monitoring prostate cancer risk

As PSA testing for prostate cancer has fallen out of favor over the past decade, the number of metastatic prostate cancer cases has risen. Between 2003 and 2017, patients diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body increased from 4 percent to 8 percent.

The 5-year survival rate for metastatic prostate cancer is a dismal 31 percent, compared with the nearly 100 percent 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer caught in the early stages. That’s why it’s so important to know the following risk factors so that you can discuss with your doctor whether and how often you should be tested for prostate cancer:

• Age. More than 6 in 10 cases of prostate cancer occur in men who are 65 and up.
• Family history. If your father, brother or other close blood relative had prostate cancer, it raises your risk of the disease, especially if they were diagnosed before age 60.
• Race. If you are African American, you’re more likely to develop prostate cancer, and it’s more likely to be advanced when it’s diagnosed. Don’t wait to see a doctor.
• Lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a diet high in specific micronutrients are two ways you can help lower your risk of the disease. Multiple studies also show exercise can shrink prostate tumors and extend survival and quality of life.

Sources:

New treatment option for prostate cancer shows successful outcomes — EurekAlert!

How Is Prostate Cancer Treated? — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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If you’re one of them, it is understandable that you would like to find a way to shrink your prostate or at least reduce its symptoms. You may wonder how to take the prostate back to a younger, more normal size that doesn’t keep you running to the bathroom all night long.

When enlarged, the prostate gland (which is located at the base of the bladder) can put pressure on the urethra and cause symptoms such as frequent urination and nighttime urination. The growing prostate can also keep the bladder from completely emptying and can affect the flow of urine, making for a weaker flow, starting and stopping the flow, and urinary tract infections. More severe cases of BPH can make it difficult to urinate.

Even though BPH is not cancerous, it does affect a man and his family’s quality of life. If you are waking up several times a night to urinate, chances are you are waking up your family members at least some of the time. Having to stop activities due to urinary urgency can have an effect and cause stress and annoyance for everyone involved.

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Growth of the prostate with age is normal. But even though the prostate does grow with age, there are things you might be doing that fuel this growth, just as there are lifestyle habits, dietary factors and supplements that can fight and help you manage this growth. Check out these five natural ways to shrink the prostate gland…

No. 1: Get moving

Several studies have concluded that moderate or vigorous exercise is very helpful in reducing the risks and symptoms of BPH. Not only does exercise reduce risk of BPH and urinary tract symptoms, but also it provides benefits for your heart health. This can help you prevent other health and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.

No. 2: Slim down

Obesity is one of the largest contributors to BPH. If you are overweight, one of the best ways to drop your prostate problems is to drop some pounds. Losing weight can help improve your urinary symptoms. A bonus is that weight loss also reduces your risk for prostate cancer.

The Journal of Urology published a study that found that overweight men have an increased risk of BPH. Abdominal fat in particular may play a role. The researchers examined 5,667 men ages 55 and older. They assessed the risk of BPH for each man each year for seven years. All of the men who had a body mass index above 25 had an increased risk for BPH that ranged from 13 percent to 29 percent. They evaluated abdominal obesity by dividing waist measurement by hip measurement. The men who had a ratio of 1.05 or higher had an increased risk of BPH of 45 percent.

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No. 3: Strive for balance (hormonal, that is)

Experts believe that the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) 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 beta-sitosterol contain active components that can inhibit DHT production. Another supplement, 3,3’-diindolylmethane (DIM), naturally supports the balance of testosterone and estrogen and promotes normal prostate size.

No. 4: Eat better

Your diet also greatly affects your prostate health. If you follow the best diet for prostate health (one that is low in red meat and higher in fish or vegetable sources of protein, fiber, fruits and vegetables), you can reduce your risk factors for BPH. Foods that promote good prostate health include those high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna and sardines. Lycopene-rich tomatoes benefit the prostate, too.

What you should not eat is also important. Avoid foods that your prostate hates such as red meat, dairy, wheat, fried foods and sugar.

You also need to drink well. Stay hydrated, and limit your alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day. Drinks like green tea and cranberry, which are both also available in supplement form, are beneficial as well.

There are also many green tea prostate benefits for men. In Japan, the country with the lowest prostate cancer in the world, men consume many cups of green tea per day. The catechins found in green tea can promote a normal prostate size and regulate the production of DHT. Studies show that green tea can help regulate the production of hormones that influence prostate volume. Both green tea and cranberry are also useful for men who suffer from urinary tract infections, as these drinks (and supplements) inhibit the growth and attachment of bacteria to the urinary tract lining.

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No. 5: Try supplements

Many prostate supplements can benefit an aging prostate and support normal urinary health. When shopping for supplements, look for formulations that include ingredients that can help with overall prostate health. As already mentioned, several supplements help support hormone regulation. One of them, pygeum, has also been found in studies to be useful in reducing BPH symptoms. While studies have not found that pygeum actually shrinks the prostate, it does help offer relief of urinary symptoms. Curcumin is another supplement that can help regulate the inflammatory processes that support the health of the prostate. Saw palmetto is a well-researched supplement that studies have found as effective as popular drugs for BPH without causing the scary side effects of prostate drugs.

The next step

Hopefully, these five natural steps to better prostate health offer relief from your prostate symptoms. Even though there is a lot you can do to help manage your prostate health by changing your diet and lifestyle, prostate symptoms sometimes linger. If you have tried everything from exercise to weight loss to diet and supplements and your symptoms do not improve, you should see your doctor for further testing.

Your doctor may suggest other treatments such as medication or surgery. There are risks associated with these treatments, so make sure you make an informed decision and ask a lot of questions before starting any treatment.

Chances are you will find that improving your diet and lifestyle will make a positive difference in your prostate health and in the way you feel in general. If you at least get a better night’s sleep, that alone has to improve your mood, energy and outlook on life.

The post 5 natural ways to shrink the prostate appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If you’re an older man, this scenario may be all too familiar. You’re experiencing what’s known as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as weak stream and frequent nighttime urination, or nocturia.

LUTS is usually associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged and makes it difficult to urinate or completely empty the bladder. However, age-related bladder changes, metabolic syndrome and vascular disease also can contribute to LUTS.

Moderate to severe LUTS has been linked to an increased risk of death in previous studies. But it was unclear whether improving these symptoms had any impact on that higher death risk — until now….

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The danger of lower urinary tract symptoms

Researchers analyzed data on 3,046 men aged 50 or older with moderate to severe LUTS from the Medical Treatment of Prostate Symptoms trial. The participants were randomly assigned to receive active treatment with LUTS medications or an inactive placebo. Medications used in the study were the alpha-1 blocker doxazosin, the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride or a combination of the two.

During the two-year follow-up period, the researchers used the AUA Symptom Score to rate the impact of LUTS symptoms on a scale of 0 to 35. Follow-up data were used to determine the connection between reduction in urinary symptoms and death risk after an average of six years.

Results showed that for each one-point reduction in symptom score, the risk for death decreased by 4 percent. The more symptoms were reduced, the greater the reduction in death risk, with a 10-point reduction in LUTS symptoms correlating with a 35 percent decrease in death risk.

While the men assigned to all three active treatment groups showed significant reductions in mortality risk, the placebo group did not.

The researchers note that urinary symptoms are typically regarded as a “benign condition” that’s only treated when it becomes a problem for the patient.

“The findings suggest that we may need to view urinary symptoms differently, possibly with an emphasis on earlier treatment,” says lead author Dr. Blayne Welk of Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute in Canada.

The researchers stress that the study cannot determine a causal relationship between improved LUTS symptoms and subsequent death risk and that further study is needed. They also observe that the study did not evaluate the impact of other treatment options, including newer types of selective alpha blockers.

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Natural ways to keep your prostate healthy

If you decide to ask your doctor about medication for LUTS or BPH, you should know that studies have linked 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride with an elevated risk of diabetes. Your doctor will want to consider your health history before choosing that path.

There are other medications but they too have side effects to be weighed. For those reasons, some men choose a natural approach.

For instance, diet can influence prostate health. Some foods should be avoided, while other foods may help shrink the prostate.  Research shows that a diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables and healthy fats (sounds like the Mediterranean diet!) can improve prostate health and BPH.

Several supplements have a reputation for relieving LUTS as well, most notably saw palmetto. Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of saw palmetto in promoting prostate health, relieving the excessive need to urinate (especially at night) and enhancing urinary flow. Others include pygeum, stinging nettle and beta-sitosterol.

Consider drinking green and black tea regularly (but avoid drinking anything close to bedtime). A study conducted by researchers at Winthrop University Hospital in Garden City, New York, evaluated the impact of green and black tea on a small group of men (46) with LUTS. The men who had taken the tea mixture showed an improvement in LUTS (including improved urinary flow and reduced inflammation) and quality of life in as little as six weeks when compared with placebo.

And last but not least, regular exercise is also important for keeping your prostate healthy. The more active you are, the lower your risk of BPH or prostate problems.

Sources:                                                                                                        For older men, treating urinary symptoms may lead to lower mortality risk — EurekAlert!

The Reduction of Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Death — The Journal of Urology

The post Ignoring these bathroom symptoms can cut your life short appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

This remedy has ancient roots and has long been valued for its ability to manage bladder disorders, but scientific studies have shown it also has lots of potential for prostate health.

Here are some reasons why you may want to consider pygeum to support your prostate…

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What Is Pygeum?

Pygeum supplements are made from the bark of the Prunus africanum tree, although both the tree and the extract are often referred to simply as pygeum. The active ingredients in the extract include phytosterols, the most common of which is beta-sitosterol. Other components in pygeum include triterpenes and compounds called ferulic acids.

You may recognize beta-sitosterol as another natural supplement that is beneficial for the prostate. It is found in stinging nettle and saw palmetto, two other herbal remedies shown to support prostate health. Phytosterols can inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that plays a major role in the development of an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) and in hair loss.

Although pygeum has been studied for a variety of ailments, it has demonstrated the most promise for the management of an enlarged prostate.

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Pygeum And Enlarged Prostate

An enlarged prostate is a common condition caused by the noncancerous growth of the prostate gland as men age. Enlargement of the prostate can constrict the urethra, the tube that transports urine out of the body. Therefore, men who have an enlarged prostate often, but not always, experience urinary tract symptoms such as urinary urgency, painful urination, dribbling, the need to urinate often during the night and urinary frequency.

A number of studies have indicated that pygeum has properties that can help relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

A few of the findings and reports on pygeum and BPH:

• A total of 263 men who had an enlarged prostate were given either 50 mg of pygeum extract or a placebo twice daily for 60 days. At the end of the study, the men who had taken pygeum extract had a “marked clinical improvement” in urinary tract symptoms. In fact, there was a 66 percent improvement in urinary symptoms in the pygeum group compared with 31 percent in the placebo group.
• A meta-analysis involving 18 trials evaluated a total of 1,562 men who had an enlarged prostate. Overall, the reviewers concluded that compared with placebo, pygeum offered men a “moderately large improvement” in urinary tract symptoms. Men who took pygeum were more than twice as likely to experience an improvement than men in placebo groups.
• In a comparison of pygeum with saw palmetto, another herbal remedy shown to be helpful in supporting prostate health and coping with an enlarged prostate, investigators reported on two studies: In one, 70 men with an enlarged prostate were given either 320 mg of saw palmetto for 30 days or 100 mg of pygeum plus 320 mg of saw palmetto for 30 days. In both studies, men experienced an improvement of about 50 percent in frequent urination and painful urination.
• In a review article in American Family Physician, the author noted that “limited evidence shows that the herbal agents saw palmetto extract, rye grass pollen extract, and pygeum relieve symptoms” of an enlarged prostate.

Taking Pygeum Supplements

If you are considering pygeum supplements, there are two options. One is to take the herbal remedy alone. The other is to take a supplement that contains pygeum along with other natural remedies for prostate health. In either case, the suggested dose of pygeum (standardized to contain 13 percent total sterols) is 75 to 200 mg daily as a single dose or divided into two equal doses.

Sources:

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12006122

Efficacy of Pygeum africanum extract in the treatment of micturational disorders due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Evaluation of objective and subjective parameters. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1702916

Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews 2002; (1)CD001044. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11869585

Serenoa repens in benign prostatic hypertrophy: analysis of 2 Italian studies. Minerva Urol Nefrol 2010 Dec; 62(4): 335-40. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20944533

Edwards: Diagnosis and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0515/p1403.html

NBBS isolated from Pygeum africanum bark exhibits androgen antagonistic activity, inhibits AR nuclear translocation and prostate cancer cell growth.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19771394

Papaioannou M et al. The natural compound atraric acid is an antagonist of the human androgen receptor inhibiting cellular invasiveness and prostate cancer cell growth.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18627423

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I took metformin for a week, the leading prescribed drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes in the United States and taken by 80 million people around the world.

This medication is often touted as a wonder drug for individuals with type 2 as well as for those living with other health challenges.

My reasons for taking metformin were highly personal…

I have a genetic predisposition for both prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes (I’m not diabetic but I swing in and out of pre-diabetes), and I’m getting older. I did copious amounts of research, and it seemed, on all three counts (prostate cancer prevention, managing diabetes (increasing insulin sensitivity) and anti-aging), that metformin could truly be a wonder drug.

So, truth be told, I really wasn’t looking at metformin as a drug — I was looking at it more as a “superfood.”

However, I quickly changed my mind, and here’s why…

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How does metformin work for type 2 diabetes?

Metformin is designed to help control the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood by reducing the amount of sugar you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. Metformin also increases your body’s response to insulin, a natural substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. People who have type 1 diabetes, however, do not produce insulin and therefore should not use metformin.

People with type 2 diabetes are prone to developing serious complications, such as kidney problems, diabetic neuropathy, heart disease to name a few. Use of metformin, along with lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, not smoking) and routine monitoring of blood sugar can help prevent these life-threatening issues.

What are the health benefits of metformin?

I’ve already mentioned that metformin can be effective in controlling blood glucose levels. But what if you’re like me — swinging in and out of prediabetes?

The Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group conducted a randomized clinical trial among adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes and examined the impact of either lifestyle intervention or treatment with metformin on the prevention or delay of diabetes onset. Lifestyle changes (low-fat, low-calorie diet plus 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly) resulted in a 58 percent reduction in the development of type 2 diabetes, while use of metformin alone reduced diabetes incidence by just 31 percent – which is pretty good but nowhere near the benefits from just making lifestyle changes!

The kicker here though is that the benefits of taking metformin and making the lifestyle adjustments were not cumulative, so making the lifestyle adjustments alone should be the first priority.

But metformin can do more…

Take prostate cancer, for example. A recent study found that metformin could be a useful complementary treatment, especially in men using androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Metformin appears to work directly on the prostate tumor as well as helping to lower insulin levels throughout the body.

More generally, metformin can suppress tumor growth, enhance the activity of anticancer medications, and improve immunity. This latter benefit is associated with the ability of metformin to lower blood sugar by improving insulin receptor sensitivity. The drug can reduce the fuel supply for bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which tends to reduce one’s susceptibility to infections.

Related: 4+ reasons diabetics should eat mushrooms

Metformin can also help with weight loss. This benefit comes in handy not only among men who are struggling with type 2 diabetes but those who simply need to drop some excess weight. Results of the BIGPRO 1 trial showed that use of metformin was associated with a decline in bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, LDL) concentration when compared with placebo and a decrease in damage to artery linings, a characteristic that contributes to the complications associated with type 2 diabetes (i.e., damage to the eyes, kidneys, and nerves). Other benefits of metformin include a decline in total cholesterol, free fatty acids, and tissue plasminogen activator antigen, all of which are associated with cardiovascular complications.

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Metformin and life extension

Some research has even suggested metformin may help extend lifespan. The potential life-extension benefit goes something like this: metformin inhibits a complex called mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which regulates the production of protein, boosts energy production, and creates waste. Metformin can help keep mTOR levels from being elevated too much or too often (situations associated with inflammation and cancer growth), which in turn can contribute to longevity.

Related: This anti-diabetes antioxidant reverses insulin resistance

What are the side effects of metformin?

Side effects associated with starting use of metformin can include nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain. These side effects typically fade as individuals become accustomed to the drug. Metformin should not be taken if you have a history of liver or kidney disease or of congestive heart failure. Anyone with a history of alcohol abuse also should avoid taking metformin because serious lactic acidosis may develop.

People with diabetes are encouraged to exercise regularly, yet use of metformin may interfere with this activity. A study published in Diabetes Care reported that “metformin has the potential to lower some patients’ selected exercise intensity” and also tends to increase heart rate.

The combination of using metformin and exercising may also result in another complication. Use of metformin reduces levels of blood glucose, but exercise can increase levels of the hormone glucagon, which deals with low blood sugar. The combination of metformin and exercise can result in significantly elevated concentrations of glucagon as the body attempts to compensate for the impact of metformin. One result is a less than effective result at lowering the glycemic response after eating than is possible by taking metformin alone.

In addition, the results of at least one small study suggest that use of metformin may lower sex drive and testosterone levels. Given the intense interest among men in their testosterone levels and the desire to boost them, these side effects are not welcome as well.

A total of 64 men with type 2 diabetes were evaluated: 30 who were taking metformin and 34 taking sulfonylurea. Twenty-seven nondiabetic men served as controls. Use of metformin was associated with a significant reduction in testosterone levels, libido, and low testosterone-induced erectile dysfunction, while use of sulfonylurea was associated with a significant elevation in all three factors.

Related: A simple step to stop diabetes

Continued use of metformin also is associated with a reduction in vitamin B12 absorption. Since absorption of this nutrient declines with age, the addition of metformin to the picture can make it worse. A decline in B12 concentrations can cause an elevation in homocysteine levels (which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially among people with type 2 diabetes), and this decrease in B12 values can grow over time. Low concentrations of B12 are associated with changes in mental function, neuropathy, and anemia.

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What side effects did I personally experience?

Ok, so you know the TV ads for drugs right – 5 seconds on the actual drug and 5 minutes on the side effects. I get it, drugs have side effects and they spend all that time telling you what they are for one reason, to avoid legal liability. It’s a fact – as long as they TELL YOU you can die from taking a drug you can’t sue them if you die – that’s America for you!

Some of the known side effects of metformin are above – but for me, one week on the drug was enough – notwithstanding all the purported health benefits. Here’s what I personally experienced:

1. A 5lb weight loss in a week that was unexplained by any other reason;
2. Constant nausea and lightheadedness;
3. Massive fatigue and low energy – basically resulting in me being unable to finish basic workouts;
4. Muscle weakness – I was lifting only ~75% of my normal weights and they were even feeling heavy;
5. Low motivation and anxiety;
6. Sleepiness by 8pm – normally I don’t feel like going to bed until after 10.30pm;
7. Lack of breath – just climbing stairs had me puffing;
8. Heart palpitations; and
9. Constant dry mouth.

If it had just been one or two of the above I may have sucked it up, but all of them together felt like a sledgehammer — especially when I was in the middle of training for some pretty intense Spartan and other obstacle course races. All of my training partners were looking at me wondering what the heck was wrong with me!

So I quit.

Did I give up on all the great benefits I was seeking — prostate cancer prevention, improving insulin sensitivity and anti-aging? No way!

I just doubled down on these natural therapies. Here’s how it went for me…

Sources:

The post I took metformin for a week and this happened appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Not only was the Mediterranean diet ranked the best diet overall — but it also ranked No. 1 for best diets for bone and joint health, best family-friendly diets, best diets for healthy eating and best plant-based diets. It came in second only to the DASH diet among the best heart-healthy diets.

But that’s only the beginning of the Mediterranean diet’s long list of health benefits which include losing weight and keeping it off, improving healthy aging, gut health and sexual function. In addition, there’s evidence the Mediterranean diet can help reduce the physiological effects of stress.

But men may want to check out what this amazing diet can do about one of the most common and fatal cancers in men…

Prostate cancer protection from colorful plants

Eating the Mediterranean way involves piling your plate high with a rainbow of fruits and vegetables — and for men who want to avoid prostate cancer, that’s exactly what you should be doing…

Researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) analyzed the micronutrients found in the blood of prostate cancer patients and compared them with those found in a healthy control group. This revealed that prostate cancer patients had lower levels of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene and selenium, as well as higher levels of iron, sulphur and calcium.

Men with low blood levels of lycopene and/or selenium were determined to have an increased risk of prostate cancer and are likely to be more sensitive to the damaging effects of radiation used to treat the disease.

The study showed men who regularly consume colorful fruits and vegetables rich in these micronutrients are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Also, men who undergo radiation treatment for prostate cancer are more likely to experience faster recovery if they eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.

Foods rich in lycopene include tomatoes, melons, papayas, grapes, peaches, watermelons and cranberries. Selenium-rich foods include white meat, fish, shellfish eggs, and nuts.

In addition to age, family history and ethnicity, study co-author Dr. Permal Deo says “There is strong evidence that being overweight and tall increases the risk of prostate cancer. Diets high in dairy products and low in vitamin E may also increase the risk but the evidence is less clear.”

“Our recommendation is to adopt a Mediterranean diet enlisting the help of a dietician because people absorb nutrients in different ways, depending on the food, the digestive system, the person’s genotype and, possibly, their microbiome,” he adds.

Getting those Mediterranean micronutrients

The UniSA findings highlight the importance of eating foods high in lycopene and selenium. A Mediterranean diet includes plenty of lycopene-rich tomatoes, which studies show are great cancer fighters.

One study found men who ate a significant amount of tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice and pizza had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer and a 53 percent reduced risk of getting aggressive prostate cancer.

The lycopene from tomatoes is more easily absorbed when they are cooked, so try to opt for cooked over raw tomatoes whenever possible.

When you follow a Mediterranean diet, you tend to eat a lot of nuts, which are superfoods in terms of the nutrients they contain. Take the walnut, for instance. Walnuts contain more alpha-linolenic acid (the plant form of omega-3s) than any other nut. They are also second only to blackberries in the number of antioxidants they contain. But Brazil nuts are by far the most potent source of selenium.

Sources:

Rainbow of fruit and veg the best prevention against prostate cancer — University of South Australia

Plasma Micronutrient Profile of Prostate Cancer Cases Is Altered Relative to Healthy Controls—Results of a Pilot Study in South Australia — Cancers

Mediterranean Diet — U.S. News & World Report

Walnut Nutrition — Jessica Levinson

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Whether you are concerned about the frustrations of urinary troubles due to an enlarged prostate or your receding hairline, plant sterols are a natural solution that can help.

Plant sterols are chemicals found in plant foods. One plant sterol that is especially beneficial in many ways for men is beta-sitosterol. This compound naturally occurs in pumpkin seeds, soy, beans, nuts, seeds and avocados.

It can be useful in supporting prostate health but this powerhouse doesn’t stop there. Beta-sitosterol can contribute to heart health, improve cholesterol levels, relieve anxiety — and more.

Prostate benefits of plant sterols

Beta-sitosterol has a long history of use in treating symptoms of enlarged prostate. Many studies on beta-sitosterol show that it can help with the urinary symptoms that accompany having an enlarged prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Beta-sitosterol works by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase activity, which is the way that many prescription drugs like finasteride (Proscar) work. Studies show that beta-sitosterol can help improve BPH symptoms such as increased urinary flow rates, decreasing the amount of urine left in the bladder after urinating and improving the overall quality of life.

If you value your sexual health, take note. Proscar side effects include decreased sexual function, low libido, retrograde ejaculation and other health problems. These effects can last up to 40 months after you stop taking the medications. Some men report having permanent erectile dysfunction after taking BPH drugs. That’s why considering natural supplements, such as plant sterols like beta-sitosterol, are an attractive choice for managing men’s health.

Beta-sitosterol is important to aging men because inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase activity also prevents testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This secondary hormone has several effects in older men such as leading to BPH and contributing to male pattern baldness by stopping hair growth.

Plant sterols have other prostate benefits. Saw palmetto, which contains beta-sitosterol, is helpful for men struggling with prostatitis and BPH.

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Heart health benefits and more

Men often have other health issues that go beyond prostate and sexual health. Many men struggle with heart health and cholesterol. Here’s how beta-sitosterol can help…

Heart health:

Surprisingly, the amount of researched-gathered data on plant sterols and heart health is even more robust than the data on the benefits of plant sterols for prostate health

Foods that contain plant sterols and stanols are among several cholesterol-lowering foods. They work by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestines, reducing total cholesterol levels and LDL (or bad) cholesterol while not affecting the HDL (or good) cholesterol. You end up excreting cholesterol rather than absorbing it.

This can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis or hyperlipidemia which could lead to heart disease.

Hair loss:

Beta-sitosterol can also help with mild to moderate male pattern balding. A placebo-controlled, double-blind study on natural 5-alpha-reductase type II inhibitors like beta-sitosterol was conducted and published in 2002. The researcher reported that “beta-sitosterol promoted significant improvement in 6 out of 10 male study subjects with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern balding.”

Anxiety:

In a series of behavioral experiments, mice given beta-sitosterol showed much less anxiety than the controls. For example, they didn’t hide in the dark corners of their enclosure but instead ran around exhibiting behavior that scientists who work with mice regularly recognize as happy.

And to top it off, mice taking the natural compounds showed none of the side effects that would go hand-in-hand with taking anti-anxiety medications.

Insulin resistance:

In other research using mice, results showed that beta-sitosterol reduced blood sugar levels, possibly due to increased insulin response.

Another study using diabetic rats found that giving them 20 milligrams/kilograms of beta-sitosterol per day normalized blood sugar and insulin levels after taking the supplement for 30 days.

Miscellaneous benefits:

It has even been suggested that beta-sitosterol can help with allergies and rheumatoid arthritis. Some people use beta-sitosterol to help boost their immunity.

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How to find plant sterols

Plant sterols naturally occur in plant foods and are being added to more foods such as oils, salad dressings, juices and snack bars. Here are a few good sources:

• Canola oil – Packed with 96 mg of the compound per tablespoon
• Avocados – Right up there with canola oil at a whopping 95 mg per cup
• Pistachios – A tasty treat with a full 71 mg of beta-sitosterol per cup
• Almonds – Delivering 46 mg per cup of nuts
• Fava beans – Another great option at 41 mg per cup

While you should eat a diet that emphasizes plant foods, it is just as easy and safe to take a supplement that contains beta-sitosterol if you are looking to maintain an adequate level across the board.

A big reason supplements can be more helpful is that our bodies absorb less than 5 percent of the beta-sitosterol in foods, and you don’t necessarily want to add extra calories into your diet to get the plant sterol benefits.

Sources:

Plant sterols and plant stanols in the management of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease — Journal Atherosclerosis

Maier, Karyn. Beta-Sitosterol to Treat Hair Loss. Livestrong.com. 20 Nov 2013.

A natural food supplement may relieve anxiety — EurekAlert!

An update on β-sitosterol: A potential herbal nutraceutical for diabetic management — Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

The post Beta-sitosterol: Natural support for the prostate, heart and more appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Both prostatitis and an enlarged prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can greatly affect a man’s quality of life.

Luckily, there is an herb that has long been used to relieve urinary tract and prostate problems. The name may sound harsh, but stinging nettle for prostate health has many benefits such as many anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties…

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Stinging Nettle For BPH

A number of studies have found stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica) to be effective at promoting normal prostate size and relieving the urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged and aging prostate. Common symptoms of BPH may include urinary frequency, incontinence, urination at night, not being able to empty the bladder completely, waiting for the stream to begin, and a urinary stream that starts and stops. Stinging nettle also works well with other natural therapies that have prostate health benefits, such as saw palmetto.

In a comparison study that looked at 620 men with BPH, 81 percent of the men who took stinging nettle had their symptoms improve. These men in the stinging nettle group also had their prostate size decrease slightly. Only 16 percent of the placebo group experienced improved symptoms, and their prostate size did not change.

Another study that compared patients who had early stages of BPH was a randomized, double-blind study that took place in multiple centers and evaluated 543 patients. The men received either the drug Proscar (finasteride), which is a 5-alpha-reducatase inhibitor, or a fixed combination of stinging nettle root and saw palmetto extract.

The study lasted 24 weeks. After that, both groups had similar improvements in the size of their prostate and in their values on the International Prostate System Score. But the singing nettle and saw palmetto combination was much better tolerated than the Proscar group. Proscar side effects can be pretty bad and may include long-term sexual dysfunction.

In fact, one reason to consider effective natural therapies such as stinging nettle and saw palmetto is that popular BPH drugs can cause erectile dysfunction and other negative side effects, while the natural supplements do not. These are just some of the reasons that stinging nettle root is one of the top supplements for enlarged prostate.

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Stinging Nettle For Prostatitis

Chronic bacterial prostatitis can be frustrating to treat. Men may go through several rounds of antibiotics, and the symptoms can come and go for many months, lasting at least three months. Common symptoms may include groin or back pain, pain or burning when urinating, and difficulty urinating. The best way to treat this condition is a multimodal approach that may include traditional therapies with natural therapies.

A study at the University of Florence compared treatments in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis. A control group took just an antibiotic while the other group took the antibiotic along with a daily formula that contained stinging nettle with some other natural therapies such as turmeric, saw palmetto and quercetin. After a month of treatment, almost 90 percent of the men who took the formula containing stinging nettle had their prostatitis symptoms disappear compared to 27 percent of the control group that took only an antibiotic.

The results were long-lasting. Not only did the stinging nettle herbal combination improve symptoms after a month, but all the members of the group that took stinging nettle formula were still symptom-free six months later compared to two patients in the group that took only an antibiotic. It is important to note that quercetin should not be used with certain antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones. Make sure your healthcare provider oversees your treatment program for chronic bacterial prostatitis and does not have you take quercetin and antibiotics at the same time.

How To Get Stinging Nettle

You can buy stinging nettle as a single-ingredient herb; but it seems to be most effective when combined with other natural therapies such as turmeric, quercetin and saw palmetto.

Talk to your doctor before starting stinging nettle or other therapies. Occasional side effects may include rash, fluid retention and an upset stomach.

Sources:

Cai T et al. Serenoa repens associated with Urtica dioica (ProstaMEV) and curcumin and quercitin (FlogMEV) extracts are able to improve the efficacy of prulifloxacin in bacterial prostatitis patients: results from a prospective randomized study. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2009 Jun; 33(6): 549-53

Lopatkin N et al. Efficacy and safety of a combination of Sabal and Urtica extract in lower urinary tract symptoms—long-term follow-up of a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial. Int Urol Nephrol 2007; 39(4): 1137-46.

Safarinejad MR. Urtica dioica for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Herb Pharmacother 2005; 5(4):1-11.

Schneider T, Rubben H. Stinging nettle root extract (Bazoton-uno) in long term treatment of benign prostatic syndrome (BPS). Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multicenter study after 12 months. Urologe A 2004 Mar; 43(3): 302-6

Sokeland J. Combined sabal and urtica extract compared with finasteride in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: analysis of prostate volume and therapeutic outcome. BJU Int 2000;86:439-442.

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In fact, almost 250,000 men will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer and over 34,000 men will die from it this year alone — a rate that’s predicted to skyrocket!

And now, thanks to a study from scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago, we might finally know why prostate cancer cases have been increasing sharply… and what to do about it.

The forever chemicals that seem to be everywhere

They say that the issue stems from a combination of so-called “forever chemicals” and a dietary component that’s making matters much worse.

The chemicals, known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl or PFAS,  are a class of synthetic chemicals that are found in food wrappers, nonstick cookware and other products.

You’ll find them lurking in your dental floss, hiding in the water you drink and even in your “eco-friendly” takeout bowl of all things!

According to the researchers, they’ve already been linked to prostate cancer — but they’ve found that things get even worse if you add a high-fat diet to the mix…

A synergy between forever chemicals and dietary fat

Their study found that in combination with fat, PFAS are capable of reprogramming the metabolism of both benign and malignant human prostate cells. It’s a reprogramming that converts the cells to a more energy-efficient state that allows them to grow and replicate at three times the rate of cells in the absence of the chemicals.

“Our data suggest that exposure to PFAS synergizes with dietary fat to activate the protein-coding gene PPARa, altering cells’ metabolism in ways that escalate the carcinogenic risk in normal prostate cells while driving tumor progression in malignant cells,” said food science and human nutrition professor Zeynep Madak-Erdogan, the principal investigator on the project.

Yup, fat significantly accelerates the development of tumors when you’re exposed to these chemicals — to the tune of three times the cancer growth.

If that weren’t already bad enough, the scientists made one more scary discovery…

They found that when they exposed benign and malignant cells to a form of PFAS called perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) the malignant cells’ viability was five times greater than the cells in the control group.

That PFBS is a chemical that is found in both polluted air and drinking water.

In other words, you could be breathing it in and drinking it down on a daily basis!

Breaking the chemical-fat cycle that leads to prostate cancer

Clearly, poor diet choices plus these dangerous chemicals is a recipe for cancer growth.

So what can you do to protect yourself?

Well, the first step is pretty clear in that by reducing the amount of fat (especially bad fats) in your diet, you can break one side of that cancer chain. The Mediterranean diet is a great start.

Next, you should try to limit your exposure to PFAS as much as possible by:

• Throwing out any old Teflon nonstick cookware.
• Skip the grease-proof paper plates and stick to glass or porcelain dishware.
• Avoid fast food and its PFAS contaminated wrappers.
• Invest in a good water filter to address PFAS in your drinking water.

Another very important step is to support the functions of your liver. In addition to being your body’s main detox organ, the liver helps break down fat to use it as energy. So a healthy liver can help you come at this problem in both directions.

But if the liver is bogged down from dealing with a high-fat diet and an overload of chemicals, it can’t do either job very well. That’s how difficult-to-remove fat gets stored in the body, especially when obesogen chemicals are in the picture.

Certain foods can support the liver and its detoxing processes, including cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and Brussel sprouts. These foods also contain DIM, short for di-indole-methane, a plant compound that works against estrogen dominance. Supplements that support the liver include milk thistle, turmeric and NAC.

Sources:

PFAS exposure, high-fat diet drive prostate cells’ metabolism into pro-cancer state — ScienceDaily

Prostate Cancer Statistics — CDC

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer — American Cancer Society

Prostate cancer cases estimated to rise sharply in 2021 — Robotic Oncology

The post The chemical-fat combo driving prostate cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

On the other hand, most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it.

In fact, in certain men, prostate tumors do not develop into cancer.

These facts have prompted scientists at the University of Michigan to look for an alternative to the costly and invasive method now used to make a diagnosis.

Until now, a biopsy was needed to rule out cancer

The standard first step in making a diagnosis of prostate cancer is a blood test that detects abnormally high levels of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

But most men whose tests show an elevated PSA level do not actually have prostate cancer. That’s referred to as a false-positive test.

Until recently, the only way to tell who had cancer and who didn’t was to follow up a PSA test with a procedure called a transrectal biopsy.

It’s uncomfortable and invasive and, as with any surgery, it carries a small risk of complications. It can lead to serious infection, pain and bleeding, not to mention loads of anxiety.

And according to the National Cancer Institute, only about 25 percent of men who have a prostate biopsy due to an elevated PSA level actually are found to have prostate cancer when a biopsy is done.

But now, a new urine test based on research performed at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center may help men get a definite answer without unnecessary worry or unnecessary biopsies…

Now, a urine test that can make the call

Researchers at the University discovered that half of all prostate tumors contain a genetic abnormality that acts like an “on-switch” for the development of prostate cancer.

Based on that research, a U-M startup company developed the MyProstateScore test, which measures levels of these abnormal genes in a patient’s urine.

“Our ultimate goal was to determine whether the MyProstateScore test could be a practical, reliable test that could rule out the need for more costly or invasive testing in men referred for a prostate biopsy,” says study lead author Dr. Jeffrey Tosoian, a clinical lecturer in urology at Michigan Medicine and co-founders of LynxDX, a startup company that hopes to make the urine test more widely available

In a validation study that included more than 1,500 patients, they found that had the MyProstateScore test been available, one-third of unnecessary prostate cancer biopsies could have been avoided.

Among these 1,525 patients, 338 (22%) had cancers detected on biopsy that were group grade 2 or higher, meaning they were serious enough to warrant immediate treatment.

387 biopsies that found no cancer or slow-growing cancer could have been avoided. Meanwhile, the test would have missed only 10 clinically significant cancers that would have warranted immediate treatment.

“The data show that this straightforward, secondary testing approach could reduce the use of more costly and invasive procedures following a PSA test,” Tosoian says.

Keeping your prostate cancer-free

Prevention is the best treatment, and there are plenty of ways to keep prostate cancer away…

Diet is a great place to start. So, here’s a basic guide to eating habits that will keep your prostate healthy.

Japanese men have the lowest rate of prostate cancer in the world. If you’re serious about avoiding prostate cancer, you’ll want to do what you can to duplicate a Japanese man’s diet and lifestyle. It’s not hard – no exotic foods involved!

Some of the foods you’ll want to stock up on, particularly if you’re over 40, are coffee, green tea, and pomegranates.

Wondering what foods to avoid? Fried foods, processed meats, sugary drinks and baked goods, and excessive alcohol… pretty much the same foods that are bad for you for many other reasons.

Next, do all you can to keep yourself at a healthy weight. Numerous studies have linked hormones secreted by excess fat cells with aggressive prostate cancer. And belly fat, in particular, that notorious “spare tire,” has been associated with death from prostate cancer.

Sources:

New prostate cancer test could avoid unnecessary biopsies Science Daily

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer American Cancer Society

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South Australian researchers have been closely examining this process, and in doing so they’ve identified a new way prostate cancer cells harness glucose for growth — one that could lead to new treatments for the deadly disease…

The metabolic process that drives prostate cancer

This recent study used cutting-edge technologies to analyze the metabolism of prostate cancer cells and identified a weakness in prostate tumors that could be the key to destroying them.

The researchers zeroed in on a particular protein known as 6PGD that helps prostate cancer cells shift their metabolism to defend themselves against a hormonal therapy used to treat the disease. They found that switching on 6PGD enables the cells to use glucose to generate antioxidants and make the building blocks needed for them to grow.

“We think this is a significant finding because it potentially represents a new mechanism by which prostate cancer cells can become resistant to hormonal therapies, which are the standard-of-care treatment for men with advanced and metastatic disease,” says Luke Selth, an associate professor at Flinders University.

Professor Lisa Butler from the University of Adelaide, co-senior author of the study, says the results represent a step forward in understanding the unique metabolism of prostate tumors. According to the study results, inhibiting 6PGD could kill cancer cells in real tumors taken directly from cancer patients as well as those grown in lab dishes.

What’s more, these inhibitors were more effective when combined with hormonal prostate cancer therapy. Since these types of drugs often don’t cure cancer, researchers are keen to identify combination therapies that improve patient outcomes.

“Using the latest technologies, we generated an incredibly detailed view of how 6PGD influences prostate cancer metabolism,” Butler says. “Importantly, our work has pinpointed some clinical agents that may be able to shut down this pathway, so it is possible that our findings could eventually be used to develop a new targeted therapy for this common disease.”

Lowering your risks

When it comes to this particular cancer, there are some risk factors you can’t change: age, race/ethnicity, genetic background or family history. But you can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and avoiding certain foods, particularly dairy, red and processed meats and any added sugars and artificial sweeteners.

High levels of calcium and protein have both been connected with prostate cancer, and since cancer cells feed on glucose, it’s a good idea to keep your sugar intake as low as possible. In fact, research has connected the keto diet, which is low on carbs and sugar with starving cancer cells.

There are several foods that help support good prostate health. For instance, try adding green tea and fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Green tea has antioxidants called catechins that help defend against a precancerous condition called prostate intraepithelial neoplasia. And studies have shown that men who eat omega-3-rich fish substantially lowered their risk of prostate cancer. Experts generally recommend men adopt a Mediterranean-style diet to keep their prostate healthy.

Also, make sure you’re getting enough of certain nutrients that can help protect against prostate cancer. Vitamins C, D and E all help protect against prostate enlargement and inflammation, both of which can be risk factors for prostate cancer.

As far as supplements go, saw palmetto can help manage the symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH) and prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. Taking saw palmetto with other herbal ingredients such as curcumin, quercetin and stinging nettle can enhance its effectiveness.

The pitfalls of prostate cancer screening

While it’s important to catch any cancer as early as possible, screening for prostate cancer can prove difficult. Neither the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test nor DRE (direct rectal exam) are 100% accurate, leading to false-positive results, which can result in unnecessary biopsy and a lot of anxiety and confusion — or worse, a false negative, which can allow cancer to grow and spread.

However, these screenings are still important tools. While the general guidelines recommend starting at age 55, Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests you may need PSA screening between the ages of 40 and 54 if you have family who’ve had this cancer, especially a father or brother, or if you’re African-American — due to a higher risk for more aggressive cancer.

Screening may hold the most benefit for men between the ages of 55 and 65, when men are most likely to get prostate cancer and treatment makes the most sense — meaning when treatment benefits outweigh the potential risk of treatment side effects.

Your doctor can help you decided when and how often you should be screened.

Sources:

Targeting prostate cancer metabolism — Flinders University

A feedback loop between the androgen receptor and 6-phosphogluoconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) drives prostate cancer growth — eLife

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer — American Cancer Society

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors — American Cancer Society

Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early? — American Cancer Society

Prostate Cancer: Age-Specific Screening Guidelines — Johns Hopkins Medicine

The post Targeting what drives prostate cancer at its source appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

A man who is otherwise in good health has an excellent chance of recovery if prostate cancer is diagnosed as localized (contained within the prostate) or regional (spread only to nearby structures or lymph nodes).

But once it spreads to parts of the body that are distant from the prostate gland, such as the liver or lungs, prostate cancer survival rates plummet to about 30 percent. A Danish study found that when prostate cancer spreads to the bones, we’re looking at a five-year survival rate of 3 percent.

That’s why avoiding prostate cancer in the first place is your best chance. And the best place to start is with what you eat…

Foods that are bad for the prostate

As with so many diseases, what you eat may have a very real effect on your likelihood of being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The typical American diet of red meat, sugar, trans fats, white flour and processed foods not only increases the likelihood of prostate cancer, but research shows that it more than doubles the chances that prostate cancer will be fatal.

Also, a high intake of dairy foods has been connected with prostate cancer diagnosis, and research has connected whole milk products (as opposed to skim or low fat) with dying of the disease.

Possible explanations include the thought that dairy products may increase cell proliferation in the prostate, which can lead to prostate cancer, and that the hormones often used in milk products may also contribute to cancer development.

Prostate-healthy diets

According to my colleague, Dr. Geo Espinosa, cancer experts estimate that what we choose to eat accounts for up to 90 percent of the risk for certain cancers, including prostate cancer.

The Prostate Diet offers eight dietary principles that can help avoid a prostate cancer diagnosis:

1. Maximize fruits and vegetables
2. Eat healthy fats
3. Choose plant protein over animal protein
4. Eat whole and natural foods
5. Drink green tea
6. Eat omega 3-rich foods
7. Avoid foods and additives that harm prostate health
8. Stay hydrated.

If you’re thinking, “This sounds an awful lot like the Mediterranean diet,” you’re right. Both diets emphasize plant sources of protein, high-fiber foods and omega 3-rich fatty fish. Research by University of South Australia says the Mediterranean diet is what anyone should eat to avoid prostate cancer and to improve treatment effects.

And there’s still more to choose from…

• A recent study from the University of California and published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that eating walnuts decreases levels of the hormone IGF-1, which is linked to prostate and other cancers.
• Also, the healthy fats in avocados and the catechins (a type of antioxidant) in green tea fight inflammation and can help with prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).
• Finally, all you coffee-loving men will be happy to know that drinking four to five cups of coffee a day can lower your chances of fatal and advanced prostate cancer, according to a 2014 review of clinical studies.

Why Japanese men don’t get prostate cancer

Japan has the lowest prostate cancer rates in the world.

If you’re concerned about becoming a prostate cancer statistic, why not take a look at a Japanese man’s diet and lifestyle, and do what you can to duplicate it right here at home?

Do:

• Drink green tea
• Eat fish and fresh, whole foods
• Exercise regularly

Don’t:

• Eat sugar and processed foods
• Overeat
• Drive when you can walk

Prostate cancer is common, but you can make it harder for the disease to target you. And, if it does, it doesn’t need to be a death sentence, not if you pay attention to what you eat and make the right choices.

Sources:

10 Foundations of the Prostate Diet  — prostate.net

Skeletal Related Events, Bone Metastasis and Survival of Prostate Cancer: A Population Based Cohort Study in Denmark (1999 to 2007) — sciencedirect.com

Western diet may reduce survival odds for prostate cancer — Reuters Health

Whole Milk Intake Is Associated with Prostate Cancer-Specific Mortality among U.S. Male Physicians — The Journal of Nutrition

The benefits of walnuts include slowing down prostate cancer — Natural Health 365

Coffee consumption and prostate cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis — PubMed.gov

The post Diet tips for dodging prostate cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Carrying excess fat around the midsection raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes, metabolic disturbances, dementia and, in women, breast cancer.

Now, at least two recent studies have connected visceral fat with prostate cancer. Not just prostate cancer, but the advanced kind that normally proves fatal.

While the reason for this connection is still unclear, the numbers don’t lie. The more visceral fat a man carries around his midsection, the greater the chance he will die of prostate cancer.

But before we get into the research, there’s one important concept you need to understand.

The difference between visceral fat and other body fat

That “spare tire” fat is different from other body fat in some very important ways that may partially explain its connection with cancer.

Subcutaneous fat is deposited under the surface of the skin. It’s the fat you can “pinch an inch” of. It insulates internal organs and protects them from extremes in temperature. We accumulate subcutaneous fat by eating fatty foods.

Visceral fat, on the other hand, is deposited deep inside, around the viscera, or internal organs, when we eat carbohydrate-rich foods and do not get enough physical activity. Even a relatively lean person can carry visceral fat in the midsection.

This visceral fat wreaks havoc with your hormones and produces inflammatory cytokines that raise your blood pressure and put you at risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

One long-term study showed that visceral fat secretes a substance known as retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), which is also associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Two studies that link belly fat and fatal prostate cancer

Between 2002 and 2006, 1,832 men were tested to determine the exact location of their body fat, as well as their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. The men were then followed for over a decade.

Of these men, 172 developed prostate cancer, with 43 of those cases considered aggressive cancers (very likely to spread). 41 had advanced cancer when they were diagnosed, and 31 men had died of prostate cancer by 2015.

And for every standard deviation increase in visceral fat, the likelihood of dying of prostate cancer rose by 37 percent.

A second study, published in September 2020, confirms this link between carrying visceral fat in the midsection and the risk of death from prostate cancer.

In this study, scientists from the University of Oxford followed the health of 218,225 men for almost 11 years. All were cancer-free when they entered the study.

During that 11-year period, 571 men died of prostate cancer. Those in the top 25 percent for waist circumference were 35 percent more likely to die of prostate cancer than men in the bottom 25 percent.

Eating and exercising to control belly fat and live longer

In the Oxford University study, body mass index (a weight-to-height ratio) was not found to be predictive of fatal prostate cancer.

However, Dr. Aurora Perez-Cornago, lead author of the University of Oxford study, has this to say:

“A high BMI increases the risk of other diseases, including other types of cancer, so people should consider the implications of excess body fat wherever it is found in the body.”

To that end, here are some recommendations:

• Eat high-fiber foods every day. Studies show that foods with soluble fiber can reduce belly fat. These include flaxseed, Brussels sprouts, avocados, legumes and blackberries.
• Avoid foods with trans fats. Foods like margarine, frozen pizza, baked goods and fast food are on this list. Read ingredient labels carefully. Partially hydrogenated oils are the primary source of trans fats.
• Eat protein. Meat, fish, eggs, dairy and beans help you feel full. Eat fatty fish like salmon and sardines every week. The omega-3 fats in these fish could help reduce visceral body fat.
• Stop drinking fruit juice. It contains just as much fructose as some sweetened beverages. Choose sparkling water or unsweetened iced tea instead.
• Quit diet soda. A study at The School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that the more diet soda you drink, the more you risk inflammation from visceral fat.

As far as exercise goes, make sure you’re including both aerobic exercise and strength training in your exercise routine.

Sources:

Difference between visceral fat and subcutaneous fat — DifferenceBetween.com

Men with larger waists more likely to die of prostate cancer — Eureka Alert

Body Fat and Your Risk of Dying of Prostate Cancer — Prostate Cancer Foundation

The dangers of belly fat — NY Times

Body fat distribution on computed tomography imaging and prostate cancer risk and mortality in the AGES‐Reykjavik study — Cancer

The post Men should lose the ‘spare tire’ to lose risk for prostate cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The truth is that after a prostatectomy, not only do many men deal with erectile dysfunction, almost every patient has incontinence immediately post-surgery. And, for up to 20 percent of them, that incontinence can persist two years after the surgery, and beyond.

That’s why doctors recommend that men who have gone through prostate surgery and are not seeing improvements in their incontinence issues within the first few months receive physical therapy.

But, there’s a problem with that…

Not all men who undergo physical therapy for their incontinence get better.

Now, thanks to a new study from UT Southwestern’s Departments of Urology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, we not only know why but what you can ask your therapist in order to get the help you need to regain that control.

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Spastic versus weak muscles

For decades, therapy to strengthen pelvic muscles using so-called Kegel exercises has been the standard treatment for men dealing with urinary incontinence after prostate surgery.

The idea is that since men have been put through a difficult surgery, those pelvic floor muscles that ensure you can hold your urine must have become weak. And so, by strengthening them, continence will be restored.

Related: Kegel exercises for men

But, UT’s new study has shown that may not be the best approach.

The team examined the records from post-prostatectomy patients with stress urinary incontinence who received physical therapy over a six-year period. And, they found that the majority of men don’t have just weak pelvic floor muscles but instead a combination of both tight (spastic) and weak muscles.

In fact, just over 18 percent of the patients were living with only weak pelvic floor muscles. On the other hand, over 72 percent of patients had spastic muscles, while close to 10 percent had tight muscles only.

This is a big problem, since if you are one of the more than 82 percent of men with tight pelvic floor muscles following prostate surgery, and you’re given therapy to strengthen a spasming muscle, you can actually make the muscle tighter instead of stronger.

So, the team took a different approach…

Instead of the one-size-fits-all type of therapy that far too many men receive, they instead recommended individualized sessions to address the specific needs of the patients and either relax or strengthen the muscles in question.

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The results were impressive

A whopping 87 percent found that their incontinence improved with this targeted approach. And, 58 percent achieved what is considered the optimal level of improvement — needing two or fewer protective pads per day.

The benefits didn’t stop their either…

The men receiving individualized therapy based on their muscle issues also reported a decrease in pain. In fact, while 27 percent were suffering at the beginning of the study, that number dropped to just 14 percent after only four sessions.

While this may not seem like a huge decrease, according to the researchers, it was actually quite impressive.

“This is the first study to show a decrease in post-prostatectomy pain after therapy,” said Kelly M. Scott, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UT Southwestern and first author of the study.

Getting the care you need

So, if you are post-prostatectomy or preparing for surgery and you’re concerned about getting the right type of physical therapy to ensure you can regain your continence and your freedom, here’s what you should ask your therapist.

“Are my pelvic floor muscles actually weak and need to be strengthened, or are they actually tight and just need to be relaxed and lengthened?”

This will help ensure you get the targeted therapy you need to get back to your life after surgery.

Sources:

1. Individualized physical therapy reduces incontinence, pain in men after prostate surgery — EurekAlert!

The post The best therapy for incontinence following prostate surgery appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I also love it when my local grocers and markets start offering my favorite fall treat…

Pumpkins.

Well, pumpkin seeds, to be specific.

When I was a kid, we used to go to the corner candy store and buy little red boxes of pumpkin seeds. We would pop them by the handful and suck the thick layer of salt off of the shells until our extreme thirst made us stop and guzzle some water or other drink.

Knowing what I know today about salt, I’d opt for the natural, unsalted variety. (Don’t get me wrong — salt is an important part of your diet, but most of us get way too much.)

And anyway, pumpkin seeds don’t need a coating of processed salt to be tasty.

Let me tell you why these little seeds are so good for you, and why they should be part of your diet, not only each fall but year-round…

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Vitamins, minerals and benefits galore

When you clean out your Halloween pumpkin and drop those clumps of seeds into the trash (or, hopefully, the compost), you probably wouldn’t guess how much health and wellness you’re throwing away.

Here are five health benefits to be gained by munching on roasted pumpkin seeds (and, they are a delicious snack!)…

Tons of nutrients. A one-ounce (28g) serving of pumpkin seeds has 1.7g of fiber and 7g of protein.

It also offers a healthy portion of the recommended daily intake of a bunch of vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin K 18%
• Phosphorous 33%
• Manganese 42%
• Magnesium 37%
• Iron 23%
• Zinc 14%
• Copper 19%

High in antioxidants.  In one study, pumpkin seed oil reduced inflammation in rats with arthritis without side effects, while animals given an anti-inflammatory drug experienced some unpleasant side effects.

High in Magnesium. Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium. Healthy magnesium levels are important for blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as heart and bone health.

Research shows that up to 75 percent of Americans are deficient in this vital mineral. Heart problems, stroke, asthma, and migraines can result from a magnesium deficiency, not to mention the constellation of ailments known as metabolic syndrome.

Help for an overactive bladder. A 12-week study found that pumpkin seed oil extract significantly reduced overactive bladder symptoms. Other studies have shown it helps support prostate health and relieves BPH symptoms, like frequent nighttime urination.

Better sleep. Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of tryptophan, an amino acid that can help promote sleep. They also have plenty of zinc, which helps convert tryptophan to serotonin which is then converted to melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep cycle.

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How to roast your pumpkin seedsTo

In order to enjoy munching on those seeds, you’ll want to roast them first. That’s not hard to do.

Just preheat your oven to 300°, then toss the seeds in a bowl with some melted butter or, better yet, extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt.

Spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for about 45 minutes or until they’re golden, stirring them occasionally.

Editor’s Note: You’re invited to join a tiny handful of Americans who enjoy rare, fresh-pressed olive oil all year long that can’t be found in grocery stores or specialty shops. Take my word for it, there’s a difference in taste, quality and benefit! Click here to learn more…

Sources:

The potential of pumpkin seeds as a functional food ingredient: A review — Science Direct

Effect of pumpkin-seed oil on the level of free radical scavengers induced during adjuvant-arthritis in rats — Pharmacological Research

Antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities of pumpkin seed extracts — Food Research International

The post 5 great things about pumpkin seeds appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

This is especially true since some forms of the cancer are extremely aggressive and require aggressive levels of treatment to match. This treatment can include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery and hormone therapy.

Now, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made a troubling discovery: That hormone therapy (also known as androgen deprivation therapy) has been linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

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What is androgen deprivation therapy?

Androgen deprivation therapy is a hormone-suppressing therapy used to treat prostate cancer.

Basically, men with prostate cancer are given drugs that suppress levels of their male hormones, known as androgens. The main hormones the therapy focuses on are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

These androgens cause prostate cells to grow, including cancer cells, so by suppressing them, the therapy stops the hormones from affecting and stimulating cancer growth. So, with androgen therapy, prostate tumors may shrink. However, hormone therapy alone won’t cure the cancer which is why it’s used in combination with chemo and radiation.

Unfortunately, androgen deprivation therapy has always come with risks. These risks include sexual dysfunction such as loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.

Loss of bone mineral density, osteoporosis, and bone fractures are also common. In fact, studies have found that up to 20 percent of men experience a skeletal fracture within five years of starting androgen deprivation therapy.

Now, those aren’t the only risks men need to be aware of…

Dementia diagnoses in older men with prostate cancer

The University of Pennsylvania research team used the health data from more than 154,000 older men diagnosed with prostate cancer to analyze the association between androgen deprivation therapy and the subsequent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Of the men, 62,330 (with an average age 76) received androgen deprivation therapy within two years of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and 91,759 men (with an average age 74) didn’t have such treatment.  So, these two groups were closely matched in age at the time that they received their prostate cancer diagnosis. The difference was whether or not they received the hormone-suppressing therapy.

And, the researchers found that androgen deprivation therapy was associated with a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer disease or dementia compared with no androgen deprivation therapy over an average follow-up of eight years.

In other words, for many of the patients, their lives were being saved at the sacrifice of their memories.

The choice between cancer and dementia

One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. This means many men will face a particularly difficult choice between cancer treatment and the possibility of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Related: 12 natural prostate cancer killers

So, here’s what you should know…

Androgen deprivation therapy is more likely to be recommended if:

• The cancer has spread beyond the ability of chemo and radiation to handle alone
• If the disease returns following chemo or radiation
• If you’re at high risk of recurrence
• Prior to radiation to shrink the tumor

To reduce your risk of prostate cancer and the possible androgen therapy that comes with it, you can:

• Go low fat – Fats have been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer, so choose low-fat dairy options, leaner cuts of meat, and use less oil in your cooking.
• Boost fruit and veggie intake – The vitamins and nutrients in fruits and vegetables may positively impact your prostate cancer risk so try to add an additional serving to each meal.
• Exercise – Exercise is just as healthy for your prostate as it is for the rest of your body. Get out there, get moving, and shoot for 30 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis.
• Lose weight – A BMI (body mass index) of 30 or above is associated with a higher prostate cancer risk. This means that slimming down can help you avoid that dangerous diagnosis.

The only sure way to avoid androgen deprivation therapy and the possible Alzheimer’s and dementia it can cause is to avoid prostate cancer. So, start taking steps now to boost your prostate health and talk to your doctor about your risk factors.

Sources:

1. Prostate cancer — Mayo Clinic
2. Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer — American Cancer Society
3. Side effects of androgen deprivation therapy — UpToDate
4. Androgen deprivation therapy associated with risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia diagnoses in older men with prostate cancer — EurekAlert!
5. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer &mdashl American Cancer Society
6. Prostate cancer prevention: Ways to reduce your risk — Mayo Clinic

The post Androgen deprivation therapy raises Alzheimer’s and dementia risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Living with BPH means discomfort and complications…

The enlargement of the prostate squeezes the urethra, irritating and blocking the bladder. The bladder wall thickens and becomes damaged. And, the risk of infection, stones, and even renal failure skyrockets.

That’s why so many men these days are prescribed drugs to treat their prostate problems, such as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors that reduce the production of hormones called androgens and help treat symptoms such as reduced urinary flow.

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Unfortunately, short-term studies have suggested that these drugs, which include finasteride and dutasteride, might cause problems of their own and could reduce the body’s response to insulin, an early sign of type 2 diabetes.

But, since the research wasn’t extensive, it was not clear how significant the risk really was and whether or not you should be worried. Luckily, a team, led by researchers at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, can now answer those questions.

Additional monitoring needed

The researchers studied the health records from around 55,000 men in the UK, who had been prescribed 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors over an 11-year period.

And, they found the drugs were linked to an increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes of about one third. This means that in a population of 500 men on this treatment for 20 years, 16 extra cases of diabetes are likely to develop.

Just to make sure that their results were correct and there weren’t other factors at play, such as diet and lifestyle, they repeated the study on a different male population – Taiwanese.

Once again a similar effect was seen.

Dr. Li Wei, Associate Professor from UCL School of Pharmacy and the first author of the study said, “By studying real word data from different ethnic populations across the UK and Taiwan, we found that men being treated with dutasteride or finasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have a roughly 30 percent increased risk of developing diabetes. It is important that all patients are made aware of the risks and benefits of their medications. In this instance, men should be alerted to the increased risk of diabetes if they are taking these particular medicines for BPH, and should speak to their doctor if they are concerned.”

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Should you stop taking prostate drugs?

Since these prostate drugs so dramatically increase your risk of diabetes, should you stop taking them?

According to the team of researchers, not necessarily…

The team stressed that current treatment guidelines do not need to change, based on their study and say patients should continue to take the drugs.

However, they gave a clear warning that if you are on any of the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, you should get additional checkups and regular monitoring so that your prescription can be altered if necessary.

The best thing you can do is to be aware of the higher threat of diabetes and follow Dr. Wei’s advice to talk to your doctor about alternative treatments if you’re concerned.

What are your alternatives? Your doctor may prescribe a different medication. Some supplements have been researched for their properties to relieve symptoms of BPH. Your diet can help or hinder your symptoms as well.

Sources:

1. Causes and Statistics — Boston Scientific
2. What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)? — Urology Care Foundation
3. Prostate medicines linked to type 2 diabetes risk, study suggests — EurekAlert!

The post The drugs that increase a man’s risk of diabetes appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Men who have symptoms of an enlarged prostate (aka, benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH), 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. By including the following six foods in your daily menu, you can increase your chances of reducing inflammation and 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.

The post 6 foods that help shrink the prostate (slideshow) appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In everyday language, BPH is known as an enlarged prostate.

The cause of BPH is uncertain. Some scientists think it has to do with normal hormonal changes that go with aging.

Since the prostate surrounds the urethra, the symptoms of BPH have to do mostly with urination: difficulty controlling the stream of urine, excessive nighttime urination, constantly feeling the need to urinate, and even incontinence.

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6 Scary side effects of prostate drugs

The symptoms of an enlarged prostate are annoying, it’s true. But they’re nothing compared to the side effects of many drugs that treat the condition. Those side effects can be anything but benign, and some can last for months or even years after a man stops taking the drug.

Five BPH drugs in particular can cause erectile dysfunction or decreased libido. They are Avodart, Proscar, Propecia, Jalyn and Flomax.

Both Jalyn and Flomax can cause priapism, a rare condition in which a prolonged and painful erection occurs, unrelated to sexual activity. This is considered a medical emergency and must be treated immediately to avoid permanent damage.

Other side effects of the drugs mentioned above include Peyronie’s disease (causes a bent penis), ejaculation problems, and increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. A sudden drop in blood pressure can also occur.

Flaxseed: rich in minerals and health benefits

Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are tiny brown seeds that are rich in a host of nutrients and minerals, including manganese, thiamine, magnesium, copper, selenium, Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein.

Eating flaxseed offers a host of health benefits: they make skin and hair vibrant and healthy, aid in digestive health, and balance estrogen to help prevent osteoporosis.

Flaxseed is also the number one source of lignans in the human diet. Lignans are a phytoestrogen that are thought to prevent hormone-based cancers, osteoporosis and heart disease.

The safe alternative to prostate drugs

Study after study shows that flaxseeds are effective in alleviating an enlarged prostate, and even help prevent prostate cancer. And they do this with no harmful side effects.

One study found that supplementing with flaxseed hull extract was more effective than a placebo in relieving the sensation of incomplete bladder emptying that is common with an enlarged prostate.

Also significant was that the group that took flaxseed saw a decrease in DHT, a form of testosterone known to contribute to both benign and malignant prostate growth. In comparison, the placebo group saw an increase in DHT.

Another study found that flaxseed lignan extract significantly improved the lower urinary tract symptoms of an enlarged prostate as well as or better than the “gold standard” drugs given for the condition.

Also, a 2013 study followed 147 men. All of them added flaxseeds to their diet. The men who had the highest levels of flaxseed nutrients excreted in their urine (indicating they had absorbed the seeds’ nutrients) also had the lowest levels of tumor proliferation.

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How to buy and eat flaxseed

Whole flax seeds tend to pass right through your body, so ground (milled) flaxseed is best. This can be purchased in health food store or pre-packaged in the natural food section of many supermarkets.

If you plan on grinding your own, you can use a coffee grinder. Flax seeds can go rancid and should be stored in opaque containers in a cool, dry place. Normally they can be kept for up to a year, but if they’ve lost their slightly nutty flavor and aroma, it might be time to throw them away.

It’s easy to include flaxseed in your daily diet.

• Blend some into a smoothie
• Mix into a salad
• Sprinkle on yogurt, cereal or oatmeal
• Bake into bread or muffins
• Substitute for breadcrumbs for coating chicken or fish

Pretty much any recipe that calls for something nutty or crunchy can be made healthier by substituting or adding flaxseeds.

The post For prostate protection without side effects, try flaxseed appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But one hormone in particular is a uniquely double-edged sword. It’s poised in a delicate balance in our bodies at all times.  At optimal levels, it keeps our cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems functioning perfectly.

Throw the balance too far off and the result can be a devastating disease.

Many people think that only women need to worry about controlling this hormone, when in fact it’s intimately connected to male health as well.

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Estrogen and men: The basics

Women’s ovaries produce estrogen. In men, the hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands and the testes.

Male estrogen can be produced in the liver, brain or muscle cells. This production happens when an enzyme called aromatase converts testosterone into estradiol (a type of estrogen).

Estradiol in men is essential for regulating libido, erectile function and sperm production.

Male menopause is real

Women may joke about “male menopause” when their partners get moody or irritable. But men actually do go through age-related hormone changes of their own.

As teenagers, men have high levels of testosterone and low levels of male estrogen. With age, testosterone starts converting to estrogen.

It makes sense, then, that as men age they can develop some of the symptoms of female menopause: moodiness, hot flashes, night sweats and low libido.

Ironically, male hot flashes are actually the body’s attempt to keep cool.

Lower testosterone levels confuse the hypothalamus (the ‘thermostat’ in the center of the brain). It thinks the body is overheated and sends signals to widen blood vessels in the skin, resulting in hot flashes that can last as long as an hour.

In addition, men may also experience erectile dysfunction and enlarged breasts (gynecomastia) as male estrogen levels rise.

The dangers of estrogen-testosterone imbalance

Aside from these bothersome and even embarrassing symptoms, there are serious health risks associated with the imbalance between estrogen and testosterone that can occur as men age.

While too little estrogen can make osteoporosis and fractures more likely, even slightly elevated levels can double a man’s stroke risk.

A man’s prostate has a love-hate relationship with estrogen.

Quite a few studies have concluded that elevated blood estrogen levels are a good predictor of disease risk. On the other hand, there is disagreement as to whether elevated testosterone can accelerate abnormal cell growth.

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What men can do to keep a healthy balance

Know the symptoms.  One way men can be proactive about the state of their hormones is to be familiar with what an imbalance can look and feel like.

High male estrogen can cause fatigue, loss of muscle mass and depression as well as symptoms of an enlarged prostate (frequent urination and a weak urine stream).

Low male estrogen also can cause sleepiness, along with erectile dysfunction and irritability.

Symptoms of too much or too little estrogen can seem to overlap, but if any symptoms mentioned here are troubling you, see your doctor sooner rather than later.

Use food. While nutrition alone won’t fix hormone levels that are severely off-balance, eating some of these foods could head off some of the hormone issues that come with age:

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale are high in phytochemicals that block estrogen production.

Mushrooms work to block aromatase, thus lowering male estrogen production.

Red grapes are rich in resveratrol, which not only lowers estrogen but protects the prostate.

Exercise.  In men, low male estrogen levels can cause fat to develop around the midsection. This is probably because the aromatase that converts testosterone to estrogen is found mostly in fat cells.

But the body’s efforts to provide more aromatase and thus more estrogen can backfire in the form of belly fat that’s hard to get rid of. This puts you at risk for too much estrogen as well as Type 2 diabetes.

Controlling body fat with aerobic exercise is crucial to keeping things in balance. Also, a sensible eating plan such as the Mediterranean diet can go a long way toward staying trim. There’s even evidence that it supports a healthy prostate.

Avoid toxins. Unfortunately, we’re surrounded by hormone-disrupting chemicals that affect fertility, make us gain weight and develop disease

They’re in our food packaging, household cleaners, even our hair products and deodorant!

Here are some natural ways to protect yourself and avoid their harmful effects.

Editor’s note: Every day 38 million Americans take a drug that interferes with the natural production of their sex hormones. It also steals memories. Are you one of them? Click here to find out!

The post How to know if it’s male ‘menopause’ appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

There are many claims it helps to shrink the prostate and relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH) and associated urinary tract problems, as well as showing promise in prostatitis, and perhaps even in fighting prostate cancer.

But is this hype, or does saw palmetto really work to shrink the prostate?

The simple answer to the question is yes, saw palmetto has been shown to be effective in managing BPH symptoms (including urinary tract symptoms) and prostatitis, and it’s too early to tell how effective it may be in the fight against prostate cancer. But here is why saw palmetto works…

One of the main components is beta-sitosterol, a substance that inhibits the activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme promotes the growth of prostate cells, and thus contributes to an enlarged prostate. Saw palmetto also appears to reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone which, at elevated levels, causes the prostate to become enlarged.

To get a better idea of how saw palmetto has performed in men with BPH or prostatitis, here are the highlights of some of the research…

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Saw palmetto for BPH and prostatitis

The most recent (published April 2018) research on the effect of saw palmetto on BPH comes from a systematic review and meta-analysis that evaluated data from 27 studies and 5,800 participants. All of the studies analyzed used a proprietary saw palmetto product which contained 160 mg of lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens per capsule.

After evaluation, the reviewers reported that:

• When compared with placebo, the saw palmetto supplement was associated with fewer voids during the night and an increase in peak urinary flow
• When compared with the BPH drug tamsulosin, the two showed similar increases in peak urinary flow
• When compared with alpha-blockers, the two showed similar improvements on IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score)
• Prostate volume decreased slightly
• Of the 447 men treated for one year or longer, efficacy results remained the same
• The most frequent adverse reaction was gastrointestinal disorders (mean incidence, 3.8%)

The reviewers concluded that saw palmetto “appears to be an efficacious and well-tolerated therapeutic option for the long-term medical treatment of LUTS/BPH.”

An April 2012 pilot study reported on the effect of saw palmetto on BPH and sexual dysfunctions in a group of 82 men. During the 8-week open trial, the men took one capsule of 320 mg saw palmetto extract daily. By the end of treatment, the men’s International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) had declined from 14.4 to 6.9, while their Sexual Function Inventory improved from 22.4 to 31.4. Quality of life also showed improvement on the Urolife BPH QoL-9 scale (from 162.7 to 105.0). This study was reportedly the first with saw palmetto to show improvement in symptoms of BPH and sexual dysfunction.

A long-term (24-month) study of saw palmetto was conducted in 120 men with mild or moderate lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH. After taking 320 mg of saw palmetto daily, the men showed statistically significant improvement in their IPSS, quality of life, residual urinary volume, prostate volume, and sexual function.

Saw palmetto compared to Flomax results

What happens when you compare saw palmetto with a conventional BPH treatment such as tamsulosin (Flomax)? A one-year study published in European Urology reported on the results of this comparison conducted in 704 men. Both saw palmetto and tamsulosin led to similar improvements in symptoms, although men who took tamsulosin were more likely to experience ejaculation disorders and to experience less improvement in prostate volume.

A head-to-head comparison between saw palmetto v Flomax (tamsulosin) for men with chronic prostatitis also yielded positive results. A total of 157 men with chronic prostatitis were randomly assigned to take either 160 mg saw palmetto twice daily or 0.4 mg tamsulosin for six weeks. At the end of the study period, men in both groups experienced similar improvements in their Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI) scores, although men who took saw palmetto had an additional benefit: a greater decline in their pain scores.

Saw palmetto as combination treatment for BPH

Saw palmetto also works well when combined with other selected supplements. In a 2017 Cochrane review of saw palmetto both as a solo therapy and in combination, the authors concluded that “the totality of evidence includes favorable patients’ response from clinical experience, impact of placebo effect, early positive studies…and potential synergistic effects when combined with other therapies.” Those combinations include saw palmetto with lycopene and selenium as well as with stinging nettle.

One example can be seen in a clinical trial of 257 men who were experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH. The men were randomly assigned to take either placebo or a combination of 160 mg saw palmetto extract and 120 mg stinging nettle root extract daily for 24 weeks, followed by a 24-week control period and a 48-week period during which all the men took the combination. By the end of the study (week 96), the researchers reported a 53% improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), a 19% improvement in urinary flow, and a 44% reduction in residual urine volume.

A subsequent study involved the use of saw palmetto along with stinging nettle, quercetin, and curcumin versus the antibiotic prulifloxacin in men who had chronic bacterial prostatitis. A total of 143 men were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 106 received 600 mg prulifloxacin plus the four extracts for 14 days, while 37 men received the antibiotic only.

One month later, 89.6% of the men who took saw palmetto and the other supplements had no symptoms of prostatitis compared with only 27% of the men who took the antibiotic only. At a six-month follow-up, none of the men who had taken the herbal supplements and two who had taken the antibiotic alone had recurrent prostatitis.

According to Dr. Geo Espinosa, ND, Lac, CNS, RH (AHG), director of the Integrative Urological Center at New York University Langone Medical Center, “The studies with saw palmetto and other herbal supplements strongly suggest a saw palmetto combination can lead to enhanced results when managing symptoms of BPH and prostatitis.”

In fact, failure to use saw palmetto in combination with other selected supplements is likely why some studies of saw palmetto for management of BPH have not yielded good results, according to Dr. Espinosa. A case in point is a Cochrane review (May 2012) that evaluated 17 randomized controlled trials (2,008 participants) comparing saw palmetto (usually 320 mg/day) with placebo. The reviewers found that saw palmetto was no better than placebo in improving lower urinary tract symptoms.

Saw palmetto and prostate cancer

The potential for using saw palmetto in the fight against prostate cancer is still largely unknown, although some research has been done. In particular, two Italian studies reported that prostate cells treated with the extract underwent cell death (apoptosis).

Another study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was not as positive. Data in the study came from 35,239 men who had participated in the VITamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) project. The investigators looked at the men’s supplement use and incidence of prostate cancer and did not find an association for use of saw palmetto.

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    • Uncomfortable urgency
    • Weak urine stream
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Taking saw palmetto to shrink the prostate

Research indicates that 320 mg daily of saw palmetto is an effective dose. Saw palmetto taken with other selected herbal remedies, including quercetin, stinging nettle, and curcumin, may enhance the benefits. Side effects associated with the use of saw palmetto are generally mild and may include back pain and headache.

The post Can saw palmetto shrink the prostate? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But there’s more you should know before you decide whether you’re jumping on board or not.

So the next logical step is weighing the pros and cons. I’m also covering how the keto diet impacts prostate health…

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Pros of the ketogenic diet

Here are what some experts say are the pros of the ketogenic diet. But keep this in mind: the pros work only if you follow the diet carefully. Cheating can put you out of ketosis (a desirable effect of following the diet) which is when the body switches its main fuel source from glucose to fat-derived ketones, which means you burn fat — dietary or body fat — for energy.

• You feel full and satisfied. Eating healthy fats and a moderate amount of protein keeps you feeling satiated and thus less likely to overeat. You still need to consider calories, however, if you are concerned about weight gain.
• Keto approved foods are anti-inflammatory.
• The diet can help heal your gut. This is true as long as you include plant foods (vegetables) in your daily menu.
• The diet may improve your energy level. Once you get past the transition from carb burning to fat burning (ketosis), many people say they have more energy. This is not true for everyone.
• You may lose weight. Some people lose weight on this diet, and that benefit can depend on how and what you were eating before going on this diet plan, your overall health, level of exercise, and other factors. Remember: some people gain weight on the ketogenic diet.

Cons of the ketogenic diet

The keto diet is not for everyone, and some of the cons put that into perspective. For example:

• The food choices are limited. If you like lots of variety in your diet, keto is likely not for you. You’ll be limited to specific meats, oils, nuts and few vegetables. For a refresher, click here on for Keto 101 info.
• The amount of fat is too much for some people. In fact, some experts question whether humans are designed to digest and metabolize the amount of fat called for in this diet. It’s also true that some people feel ill and just cannot handle the high fat content.
• You can get the keto “flu.” This is a condition that occurs as you transition from burning carbs to burning fats. The severity of the symptoms can vary from person to person and include sugar cravings, dizziness, brain fog, nausea, sleep difficulties, irritability, stomach distress, and fatigue. The flu can last from 3 to 5 days or several weeks.
• It can be challenging socially. The ketogenic diet requirements may present a challenge in social occasions, during vacations, at some restaurants, and other circumstances.
• It may hinder long-term weight loss. As with many diets, you may experience some weight loss in the beginning, but because of the high caloric content of many of the foods on the keto diet, you may eventually gain weight.

Is the ketogenic diet good for prostate health?

At first glance, the keto diet may not seem like it’s a good eating plan to follow if you want to prevent prostate cancer or if you already have the disease and want to choose a healthy eating program. After all, eating all of that fat isn’t good for prostate health, right?

That’s true. In fact, research has demonstrated that red meat, processed meat, dairy foods, and trans fats contribute to cancer. In 2015, for example, the World Health Organization issued a report noting that meat causes cancer. More specifically, processed red meat was classified as “causes cancer” while non-processed red meat was named as “probably causes cancer.”

However, the ketogenic diet strictly states that the animal foods must be high-quality; that is, grass-fed beef and wild game, wild caught fish, free-range chicken and other poultry, and pasture-raised eggs. The keto diet does include full-fat dairy, and it’s true, studies have identified dairy foods for raising the risk of prostate cancer. The caution here, however, is to include moderate amounts of full-fat dairy and that it should be organic; that is, without added hormones or other contaminants. In addition, the dairy food you should avoid completely is milk.

Now let’s look at how a ketogenic diet may help with prostate health. Research has shown that mice with prostate cancer that were fed a no-carbohydrate diet had slower tumor growth and better survival than their peers who ate a Western diet. According to one of the most recent reviews (2017) of this topic, a team evaluated 13 studies of use of the keto diet on tumor growth and survival times for more than half a dozen different tumor types, including prostate cancer. They noted that the diet “can potentially inhibit the malignant cell growth and increase the survival time,” but that because animals and humans differ physically, studies in humans with cancer are necessary. In fact, a clinical trial is currently underway (slated for May 2021 completion) that is exploring the impact of a ketogenic diet on overweight men with prostate cancer who are following active surveillance.

Cancer-glucose connection

In the meantime, some experts claim a ketogenic diet is critical for fighting cancer because it asks individuals to eliminate all vegetable carbs except non-starchy ones and replace them with healthy fats and high-quality protein. The reason? Carbs transform into sugar (glucose) in the body, so when you remove carbs that convert into glucose, you lower the glucose level in your blood and essentially starve cancer cells. At the same time, low protein intake reduces a specific process that speeds up cell proliferation and thus lessens the spread of cancer cells.

The fact that the keto diet lowers blood glucose levels makes it a good option for those who need help managing type 2 diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, be sure to discuss the keto diet with your healthcare provider before you start this eating program so the two of you can adjust any diabetic medication you are taking to coincide with how your body responds to the diet.

The keto diet also emphasizes the elimination of processed and refined foods, which includes foods with added sugars, trans fats, and food additives—all of which can have a role in the development of cancer.

The ketogenic diet is not for faint of heart. It requires dedication, consistency, planning, and patience in order to do it correctly.  If you do decide to give it a try, it may be best to consult a healthcare provider who is familiar with the dietary plan.

The post Pros, cons and your prostate on the keto diet appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In February of this year, clinical research findings were presented at the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancer Conference, reporting on the use of the natural supplement, modified citrus pectin, in men who have prostate cancer that is progressing. The clinical study is still ongoing, but at the halfway point of the study, the interim results are highly significant…

Men in the study had been treated for prostate cancer with either surgery or radiation. Their blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) were then followed as a marker, and should remain at undetectable levels. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland in very small amounts. In healthy men, a rising PSA beyond normal limits indicates a need to investigate the prostate further. Elevated PSA, in addition to indicating possible prostate cancer, can also result from chronic inflammation and infection, complicating the interpretation of PSA results, which has sparked an ongoing controversy about whether men should be routinely screening with the PSA test.

For the men in this study who were already treated for prostate cancer, an increase in the PSA is troubling news, an indication that prostate cancer is present despite treatment, called “biochemical relapse” The rate at which the blood PSA levels rise, called the “PSA doubling time,” is an indication of how aggressive the cancer growth is; the faster the PSA doubling time, the more aggressive the condition. Unfortunately, these men, whose PSA levels were rising, have limited options for treatment at this stage, which makes the study findings truly groundbreaking.

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Clinical study shows significant interim results

An impressive 79 percent of the 34 study participants completing 6 months of treatment with modified citrus pectin had a significant slowing of the PSA doubling time; in 62 percent there was no progression of the cancer and in 17 percent there was an improvement. These groundbreaking results are in agreement with findings of two previous smaller studies, and provide hope for the thousands of men who face a similar situation.

The health of the prostate gland is a focus for most men as they age and for good reason. Changes in prostate size that commonly occur with age can drastically affect quality of life with symptoms such as reduced urine stream, difficulty starting to urinate, nighttime frequency, urgency, etc. In addition, prostate cancer is common, and with all the recent controversy about PSA testing and how best to monitor prostate health, men often don’t know where to turn to seek solutions to promoting healthy prostate function.

What is modified citrus pectin? (MCP)

MCP is a modified carbohydrate fiber derived from the white inner peel (pith) of citrus fruit. Unmodified citrus pectin is a large fiber molecule, too big to be absorbed from the digestive tract, and promotes healthy digestion and microbial balance. The form of citrus pectin used in the study is modified by a proprietary process to reduce the molecular size enabling absorption into the systemic circulation where it actively benefits the entire body.

What does this mean for healthy men?

Research has shown that MCP, because of its unique structure, is able to bind to a protein called galectin-3. You will be hearing more about galectin-3 because literally thousands of studies are now confirming that this protein becomes a danger to our health when levels rise.

When present at normal levels in the circulation, galectin-3 plays a vital role in cellular growth, repair processes, immunity and other critical functions. However, like many other biologically active molecules, balance is key, as elevated circulating galectin-3 can actively fuel a number of conditions including inflammation, fibrosis, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Galectin-3 is like a conductor in an orchestra; it directs the complex interactions of other molecules in a domino effect that promotes chronic inflammation and scarring (fibrosis), dysregulates immune and metabolic function and function and fuels abnormal cellular growth. Levels of Galectin-3 have been found to rise with increasing age and higher Gal-3 levels are associated with higher mortality from all causes. The bottom line is, Galectin-3 levels need to be kept in a normal low range to promote ongoing health in all vital systems, including the prostate gland. MCP offers a safe, natural solution to compliment a healthy diet and lifestyle.

This groundbreaking study used the most researched form of modified citrus pectin which has been the subject of 30 published studies. MCP has become an increasingly popular essential daily nutritional supplement both for those with chronic conditions and for people who are interested in strategies for healthy aging. After 20 years of research, the citrus peel is finally having its day in the sun.

The post MCP research looks positive for prostate protection appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

You may even be living with pain in your stomach, low back and groin.

If so, you’re likely suffering from prostate problems — you know, that little gland that is responsible for making sperm — well, it’s now responsible for making your life miserable.

Many men think of prostate problems as a sign of getting older… Something they just have to live with.

But, nothing could be further from the truth.

Because, not only can you find relief from your prostate pain, it might be even easier than you think.

And, it all starts way above the belt…

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Gum disease and prostatitis

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Departments of Urology and Pathology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center discovered a connection between gum disease, prostate inflammation (prostatitis) and the lives of men suffering from the condition.

In the study, men with confirmed inflammation of the prostate gland were tested for blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels – a high level is a sign of inflammation and potentially a very serious health issue.

They also completed a questionnaire to measure their quality of life and urination issues. The men were then examined for gum disease and guess what?

Every single one had moderate to severe gum disease!

The participants were then treated for their periodontal problems but given no treatment at all for their prostatitis woes.

And, the results were amazing…

With dental treatment only, over three-quarters of the men showed decreased levels of PSA and their symptom scores and quality of life also showed improvement.

That’s right… Almost 78% of the men in the study got relief from their prostatitis problems just by fixing their gum disease!

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It all starts in your mouth

How could that happen you ask?

According to the researchers, it’s because gum disease not only affects your mouth, but is a system-wide condition that can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, including your prostate.

Clearly, if you’re having prostatitis difficulties, improving the health of your teeth and gums should be at the top of your priority list.

Here are a few things you should be doing:

1. Start with the basics – Make certain you brush and floss at least twice a day. This will help reduce the amount of plaque buildup on your teeth (the usual cause of gum disease). Also, be sure to rinse your mouth with a mouthwash that’s used to treat gingivitis.
2. Watch what you eat – You should also avoid sugary foods and drinks since they contribute to tooth decay.
3. Try oil pulling – This method has been raved about not only for curing swollen, red gums, but even reversing gum disease with bone loss. Oil pulling does just what the name infers – it ‘pulls’ toxins right out of your mouth and gums. Basically, you put one to two tablespoons of oil into your mouth and swish for 20 minutes before spitting it into the trash can and rinsing and brushing your teeth.

It removes plaque build-up and has been studied in several triple-blind studies to be very effective. Just be sure to use 100% organic oil – sesame, olive, or coconut is best – because you wouldn’t want to be swishing pesticide-laden oils around in your moth for several minutes at a time.

4. Rinse with salt water – Another method that has been shown to be effective against gingivitis is rinsing with salt water. Just add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water and mix well. Swish the solution in your mouth for up to 30 seconds and spit it out. Repeat two to three times per day.

Prostatitis problems can keep you in pain and in the bathroom but they don’t have to be a part of getting older. Improve prostate pain and inflammation by healing the root of the inflammation and getting healthier gums and teeth.

The post How dental advice could fix your prostate appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Meat consumption can contribute to cancer risk and progression in several ways, including introduction of excess hormones that can trigger an imbalance and the presence of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which can cause the spread of cancer cells.

Several studies indicate that a plant-based diet can lower IGF-1 and prostate cancer risk. But, based on the findings, just how “plant-based” should you go — vegan or vegetarian — to lower your risk the most?

Plant-based diet and prostate cancer risk

The reason for the lower prostate cancer risk is associated with a lower level of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1). IGF-1, also known as somatomedin C, is a protein that is similar in structure to insulin. Its role in the body is to help with growth during childhood and then has anabolic effects during adulthood, including working in synch with human growth hormone.

In a study conducted by Dean Ornish, MD, a pioneer in vegetarian and vegan diet research, 93 men with early, biopsy proven prostate cancer were randomly assigned to either a comprehensive program (i.e., plant-based diet, exercise, and meditation) or a conventional diet and usual care. None of the men in the plant-based diet group went on to receive conventional treatment associated with a rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or disease progression, but six men in the usual care group did. PSA levels increased 6 percent in the control group but declined 4 percent in the plant-based diet group. In addition, prostate cancer cell growth was inhibited by nearly eightfold in the comprehensive care group when compared with controls.

In other research, experts found that men (and women) who consumed a vegan diet have significantly lower IGF-1 levels, which in turn translates into a lower risk of fueling growth hormone-dependent prostate cancer.

It’s also been shown that individuals who follow a plant-based diet for 14 years have half the IGF-1 levels and more than double the amount of IGF-binding protein than those who eat a Standard American Diet. Both of these factors are important for lowering the risk of prostate cancer. (By the way, a study in females found lower levels of IGF-1 among vegan dieters as well, which translates into a lower risk of another hormone-associated cancer, breast cancer.)

Plant-based diet: vegan vs vegetarian

Is it necessary to eat a vegan diet versus a vegetarian one when it comes to prostate cancer risk (as well as the risk of breast cancer)?

Some research findings indicate it does make a difference. In a British study, the authors compared IGF-1 levels in 233 vegan, 237 vegetarian (ovo-lacto, which means they consumed eggs and dairy), and 226 meat-eater men and noted a 9 percent lower IGF-1 level in vegans. This was associated with the ability of the vegans to bind up significantly more excess IGF-1 in their bloodstream. The vegan men also had higher testosterone levels than the other two groups, but this was offset by higher levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which bonds with and transports testosterone throughout the body.

Therefore, study results suggest that men (and women) can benefit from eating a plant-based diet in that it reduces levels of the cancer-promoter IGF-1. For a significant decline, however, men and women need to stick with a vegan dietary plan.

The post How plant-based should you go to lower prostate cancer risk? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

While I was happy to share this excellent news with you, there’s more…

Throughout the past decades, a substantial body of research has continued to demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of bioactive phytochemicals found in plants. Recently published research has identified several natural compounds found in food as key ingredients that could support prostate health!

When you dine on curry and baked apples, for example, enjoy the fact that you are eating something that could play a role in inhibiting — or even preventing — cancer. Natural compounds found in turmeric, apple peels and red grapes, were found to be key ingredients that could thwart the growth of prostate cancer.

The research was performed by The University of Texas at Austin. The new paper uses a novel analytical approach to screen numerous plant-based chemicals instead of testing a single agent, thus discovering specific combinations that target prostate cancer cells. One of the key takeaways from this new research paper is that the compounds work synergistically to benefit prostate health. This approach is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other traditional medical systems. Now we have the benefit of a growing body of literature providing solid scientific support.

As a TCM practitioner for over 20 years I have successfully worked with thousands of patients and created targeted formulas using a combination of specific nutrients, botanicals and medicinal mushrooms specifically designed to support prostate cellular and immune health, gentle liver detoxification and healthy hormonal balance.

For more information on the many benefits of integrative prostate care, take the opportunity to instantly download this Prostate Health Wellness Guide. This guide is a compilation of all of this information in a single free report for you to keep — and to share with your family and friends as a vital resource.

A lot of factors come into play when choosing a comprehensive prostate health program — and being familiar with the latest research is the best way to ensure that you’re making the right decisions for your health.

The post Natural compounds team up for winning prostate appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I’d like to share with you some of the lessons that I think can be learned…

As men age, their prostate gland often enlarges in response to metabolic and hormonal changes as well as inflammation.

This condition often results in uncomfortable symptoms including a weak stream of urine, difficulty starting urination, a sense of not fully emptying the bladder, leaking of urine, more frequent urination and a strong and sudden desire to urinate, especially at night.

To help improve symptoms, men are often prescribed an alpha blocker, such as Tamsulosin (Flomax) which relaxes the prostate smooth muscle and improves urination or other drugs such as Proscar (Finasteride) or Avodart (Dutasteride), which work by reducing prostate volume, thus improving urinary function.

The study, which appeared in the June 2017 issue of the journal, Hormones Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigations, followed two groups, one group of men with BPH who were prescribed Avodart and a second group who were prescribed Tamsulosin (an alpha blocker). Extensive data, including blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), liver function enzymes and quality of life questionnaires were collected on these two groups for 36-42 months. Here’s what they found…

The study results

The positive findings were that long-term treatment with Avodart (Dutasteride) was associated with significant improvements in lower urinary tract symptoms in men with BPH, with reduction in prostate volume.

However, findings showed that Avodart had significant negative health impacts. One of the authors, Abdulmaged M. Traish, MBA, PhD, professor of biochemistry and urology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) concluded: “We believe our findings suggest that Avodart has a negative impact on men’s overall health since it increases blood sugar and A1C and also increases blood lipids. The increase in blood glucose and A1C may predispose men to diabetes and the increase in lipids may predispose them to NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Most importantly, this agent worsens sexual function and reduces quality of life.”

None of these negative impacts was seen in the group taking Tamsulosin.

The Boston University School of Medicine Researchers who conducted the research believe the data from this study and those reported by others in animal models, as well as in other clinical studies, strongly suggest that Avodart may have serious adverse side effects that were not obvious several years ago.

These findings emphasize the importance of ongoing research, even for well-established and widely used medications. New findings should inform the conversation that you have with your health care provider. The researchers strongly recommended that physicians discuss with their patients these potential serious adverse effects of long-term Dutasteride therapy prior to instituting this form of treatment.

When talking with your health care provider about this medication for BPH, some good questions to ask include: Why do you specifically need this medication? What are the alternative medicines available and what is the current research on their safety and effectiveness? How long does your physician expect you to take Avodart? Will this medication create conflicts with other medicines you take? And most importantly, are there other natural supplement options you can try?

Empower yourself

I always encourage my patients to be informed participants in their own healing journey, even if the issues are not always easy to sort out.

Sorting through any published research to find answers can be a challenge, and I’m sure this debate will continue. It’s actually a good thing, a necessary and healthy activity in the fast-growing field of integrative medicine. It is an art as well as a science, but luckily, we have a growing integrative medicine community on our side.

As an integrative physician with extensive training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I like to suggest botanical and nutritional approaches to promote and maintain healthy prostate function, along with exercise, healthy diet, and stress control with practices such as meditation and chi gong.

Oftentimes these natural options can be quite effective when used alone or in conjunction with Western medical approaches. For more specific information about protecting prostate health, download my free prostate wellness guide here and check out my recommended prostate health formula here. I encourage you to keep reading, staying informed and asking questions.

The post Are you taking a prostate drug with serious side effects? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which gives the spice its bitter, peppery taste.

Traditionally turmeric has been used to fight inflammation, colds, and asthma, but in recent years scientists have also discovered a wide variety of reasons why curcumin/turmeric is good for men’s health.

A secret of curcumin’s healing abilities appears to be its ability to increase the levels of a protein called cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP), which has a key role in the immune system that helps prevent infection. This discovery was uncovered by researchers in the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU, who collaborated with scientists from the University of Copenhagen.

Specifically, the researchers found that curcumin increased expression of the CAMP gene by nearly threefold, and thus could be helpful in preventing infection. Vitamin D also has the ability to boost expression of the CAMP gene, and it is more potent than curcumin in this regard.

Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties have demonstrated an ability to relieve symptoms in inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel, and psoriasis, among others. But some of curcumin’s most beneficial effects for men’s health involve the prostate.

Curcumin and prostate cancer prevention

Turmeric is considered an anticancer food and spice because it possesses a variety of important cancer-fighting properties.

In the January 2012 issue of Frontiers of Bioscience, for example, the authors remarked that curcumin “appears to involve a blend of anti-carcinogenic, pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities.” In other words, curcumin seems to fight cancer from multiple fronts.

Some of those fronts have been demonstrated in studies like one from a group of scientists at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who found that turmeric alone and combined with a phytonutrient (phenethyl isothiocyanate, or PEITC) derived from cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cabbage) may be effective in preventing and treating prostate cancer, and that the combination significantly reduced tumor growth.

A 2009 study from Oregon Health and Science University reported that curcumin has “potential anti-metastatic [anti-spreading] effects in bone-derived prostate cancer cells.” Yet other research, this time from Columbia University, found that turmeric has the ability to cause prostate cancer cells to “commit suicide,” a process known as apoptosis. In a subsequent study, experts found that turmeric inhibited the growth of both human and animal prostate cancer cell lines.

The results of a pre-clinical study suggest curcumin may be helpful in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer who were taking hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy [ADT). A research team at Thomas Jefferson University’s Kimmel Cancer Center used prostate cancer cells and showed that curcumin suppressed two substances (p300 and CPB) known to work against hormone therapy. In addition, they investigated the use of curcumin in mice and noted prostate cancer tumor growth and mass were significantly reduced in mice dosed with the spice.

Curcumin/turmeric and prostatitis treatment

Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a good candidate for managing prostatitis. In an animal study, investigators reported that curcumin was effective in managing chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, noting that it reduced the activity of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

In another study, a combination of curcumin, quercetin, saw palmetto, and stinging nettle was administered to men with prostatitis. Compared with men who received an antibiotic alone, those who took the herbal combination as well as the antibiotic had significantly better resolution of their symptoms.

How to take curcumin/turmeric

The suggested dose of turmeric as a standardized powder (curcumin) is 400 to 600 mg three times daily. Turmeric and curcumin are safe when taken as directed. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, unless you have inflammatory bowel disease, the best way to reap the benefits of turmeric is by adding it to your diet. Turmeric can be added to foods during and after cooking.

The post Choose ‘gold’ spice, not old spice, for male health appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

According to Dean Ornish, MD, men who make significant lifestyle changes can lower PSA (prostate-specific antigen), which is an indication of regression of the disease.

The results of this important study were published in 2005 in the Journal of Urology, and they outline the steps men can take to stop disease progression and lower PSA levels.

Here’s how and what they found…

A total of 93 men with early, prostate biopsy proven prostate cancer and who chose initially not to participate in conventional treatments were enrolled in the study. The group was divided into those who followed Ornish’s regimen (44 men) and a control group (49) who were ordered to follow their doctor’s advice.

Men in the intervention group engaged in the following lifestyle changes:

• Consumed a whole food vegan diet, which means they did not consume animal products of any kind. This diet also significantly reduced their intake of saturated fat and cholesterol; that is, approximately 10 percent of their caloric intake was fat
• Supplemented their diet with the following on a daily basis: 1 serving of tofu plus 58 grams of a fortified soy protein powdered beverage; 3 gm fish oil, 400 International Units vitamin E, 200 micrograms selenium, and 2 g vitamin C
• Practiced stress management daily for one hour, which included meditation, imagery and progressive relaxation, yoga stretching, and/or breathing exercises
• Participated in physical exercise (vigorous walking) for 30 minutes six days per week
• Attended a weekly one-hour support group to help them adhere to the program

At the end of the trial, the men in the intervention group showed an average decline in PSA levels from 6.23 to 5.98 (6%) compared with a rise in the control group from 6.36 to 6.74 (4%). Six of the men in the control group had to undergo treatment for advancement of disease during the trial, so their PSA scores were not included in this number. If they had been, the percentage of increase in PSA would have been greater.

Ornish and his team also conducted an experiment in which they took blood samples from the men in the intervention group and dripped it over a culture of prostate cancer cells. This action inhibited the growth of those cells nearly eight times more than in the control group, which translated into about 800 percent greater cancer-fighting power attributed to a vegan diet and the other interventions in this study.

Overall, Ornish and his colleagues found that the more the men in the intervention group complied with the regimen, the greater the reductions in their PSA levels. Men who are serious about improving their prostate health, helping prevent prostate cancer, and lowering their PSA should consider making these lifestyle changes.

However, it is important to fully understand how a vegan diet works, which may mean consulting with a knowledgeable dietitian or nutritionist who is familiar with this dietary approach. A well-structured vegan diet can provide all the nutrients men need, with the exception of vitamin B12, which will need to be supplemented in some form. Men who take hypertension medication or insulin should consult with their doctor before starting a vegan diet because the diet can have an impact on blood pressure and insulin resistance.

Source: Ornish D et al. Intensive lifestyle changes may affect the progression of prostate cancer. — The Journal of Urology 2005 Sep; 174:1065-70

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After all, the substances you consume interact in a myriad of ways with the biochemical processes that churn on continuously in your body, so you want to ensure you avoid those that can have a negative impact on your prostate health.

Every man is different, so you may not be as severely bothered by some of these foods and beverages as much as someone else. Nor will avoiding these items cure your prostatitis…

However, research has shown that men with prostatitis are most affected by these five foods and beverages, and that eliminating or significantly limiting them may provide symptom relief.

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Alcohol

Any alcoholic beverage that contains more than 3.2 percent alcohol can irritate the bladder, which in turn can cause more discomfort or pain in prostatitis. Since 3.2 percent is a very low alcoholic content, it eliminates virtually most available beverages, so it’s a wise choice to skip the alcohol if you have prostatitis.

A possible substitute for alcohol could be citrus juice. A study from New England Research Institutes reported that drinking citrus juice was associated with a 50 percent lower odds of lower urinary tract symptoms progression.

Coffee

While it’s been shown that coffee has some health benefits, men with prostatitis may best avoid this popular beverage. Caffeinated coffee can irritate your urinary tract, including your bladder, and increase urinary urgency and frequency. Caffeine also can irritate the walls of the bladder, causing inflammation and discomfort. Men who are prone to urinary tract infections are especially vulnerable to bladder discomfort and pain. Although decaffeinated coffee virtually eliminates caffeine, coffee still has various acids that can irritate the urinary tract.

In a study from the Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine, a team of researchers surveyed men who were living with chronic prostatitis to learn which foods and beverages most aggravated their symptoms of prostatitis. Coffee was one of the top five items named by the study participants. You might have an occasional cup of decaffeinated coffee or, better yet, a chicory and/or grain “coffee” alternative.

Spicy foods

The secret ingredient shared by the foods in this category is capsaicin, a substance found in chili peppers (Capsicum frutescens) that has been associated with disorders such as interstitial cystitis (a painful bladder condition) and irritable bowel syndrome. The varieties of peppers high in capsaicin include cayenne, spur or Tabaco peppers, and green or red chili peppers.

Spicy foods were named as one of the top five foods that made symptoms of prostatitis worse, according to a 2013 study. If you have prostatitis, it’s best to avoid foods and condiments containing capsaicin, such as chili, tabasco sauce, and the mentioned peppers themselves.

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Tea

Black tea typically contains less caffeine than coffee, but you can still experience effects similar to those of a cup of joe. In fact, tea was named as one of the five most bothersome foods by men with chronic prostatitis who participated in a survey conducted by a team at Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine.

If you do drink tea, choose decaffeinated and preferably green or white teas. Better yet, select an herbal tea such as hibiscus or herbal teas that may help improve blood circulation, including ginkgo biloba, ginger, and bilberry.

Wheat and gluten

An intolerance or allergy to wheat and the protein (gluten) that triggers a negative response in many people can be a significant problem for men who have prostatitis. Wheat and gluten (found in several common grains) cause inflammation in some individuals, which is why it pays to try a wheat and/or gluten-free diet for a while to see if your symptoms improve.

Wheat is found in many common foods, but the names on the ingredient panels may trick you. A few of the other names that can hide the presence of wheat include bulgur, farina, graham flour, kamut, semolina, and spelt, among others. If you want to eliminate gluten as well, you can add barley, oats, rye, and triticale to the list of ingredients to avoid.

Sources:

1. Herati AS et al. Effects of foods and beverages on the symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urology 2013; 82(6): 1376-80

2. Maserejian NN et al. Intake of caffeinated, carbonated, or citrus beverage types and development of lower urinary tract symptoms in men and women. American Journal of Epidemiology 2013 Jun 15; 177(12): 1399-410

3. Prostatitis Foundation. Acute and chronic prostatitis

The post 5 foods to avoid if you have prostatitis appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But medications and invasive and noninvasive medical procedures are also available. When medications are being considered, patients often want to know how one drug performs against another so they can make a choice that best suits their needs. Here we look at Proscar compared to Flomax for treating enlarged prostate.

What is Proscar?

Proscar (finasteride) is in a drug class called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which means it works by blocking the activity of an enzyme (5-alpha reductase) to transform testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is important because DHT plays a significant role in making the prostate enlarge.

Use of Proscar reduces the amount of DHT in the body, which in turn can cause the prostate to shrink and allow urine to flow more easily.

What is Flomax?

Flomax (tamsulosin) is an alpha blocker which, unlike Proscar, helps men with an enlarged prostate not by shrinking the prostate but by relaxing the muscles in the gland as well as in the bladder. This combined effort improves urine flow, urinary frequency and urinary urgency associated with BPH. Therefore, both Proscar and Flomax treat an enlarged prostate and its symptoms in different ways but with similar results.

What can you expect when taking Proscar?

• Proscar is an oral medication typically taken once daily at the same time every day.
• Proscar can be taken alone or along with other medications designed to reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
• Use of Proscar may slightly increase a man’s risk of developing advanced prostate cancer.
• It may take as long as six to 12 months before noticing an improvement in symptoms.
• Side effects may include reduced libido, increased hair growth, and a reduction in the amount of semen released during ejaculation. Less common but serious side effects may include breast enlargement or tenderness, nipple discharge, breast lumps, testicle pain, and an inability to urinate.

Although the Food and Drug Administration has required that the maker (Merck) of Proscar and Propecia (another form of finasteride) include warning labels on their products about the possibility of erectile dysfunction, semen quality, and other sexual problems associated with use of these drugs after discontinuing them, evidence to support this measure remains uncertain.

What can you expect when taking Flomax?

• Flomax is an oral medication usually taken once daily, 30 minutes after the same meal every day.
• Side effects may include sudden drop in blood pressure, which could result in fainting or dizziness; drowsiness; runny or stuffy nose; ejaculation problems; rarely, priapism (an erection lasting 4 or more hours) may occur.
• Before taking Flomax, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medication conditions, especially low blood pressure, cataracts or glaucoma.
• It may take up to one month before you experience symptom improvement.

What does the research show?

A number of studies have compared the effects of treatment with Proscar and Flomax for enlarged prostate. One 2015 study involved 470 men who took finasteride and 230 men who were given tamsulosin. The authors found that after 45 months of follow-up, long-term use of finasteride worsened erectile dysfunction and reduced testosterone levels, but tamsulosin did not.

In another study, investigators compared the efficacy of the two drugs in the treatment of symptomatic enlarged prostate in 70 men ages 50 to 80 years. After six months of treatment, there was a significant improvement in International Prostate Symptom Scale and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) among men in both groups. However, men who took tamsulosin demonstrated improvement faster than those in the finasteride group.

Should you use Proscar or Flomax for enlarged prostate?

Although both Proscar and Flomax treat an enlarged prostate, men can expect differing experiences when taking these medications. Patients need to review the pros and cons of each medication with their physician and discuss which medication is more suitable for their lifestyle and situation.

Sources:

1. Food and Drug Administration. Questions and answers: Finasteride label changes

2. Hasan M et al. Comparison of efficacy between tamsulosin and finasteride on symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Mymensingh Medical Journal 2007 Jul; 16(2): 154-59

3. Traish AM et al. Finasteride, not tamsulosin, increases severity of erectile dysfunction and decreases testosterone levels in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Hormone and Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation 2015 Sep; 23(3): 85-96

The post What can you expect when treating BPH with medication? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.