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®.

First of all, Kegel exercises are not just for women.

They are probably the easiest and most convenient exercises men can do to help improve urinary, prostate and sexual health, and you can do them without putting on athletic shoes or breaking a sweat.

In fact, no one will even know you are doing these exercises, even if you’re in a crowd or waiting in line at the bank.

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What are Kegel exercises?

For the uninitiated, Kegel exercises (sometimes called pelvic floor exercises) involve tightening your pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, the muscle in your pelvic area that stretches from the pubic bone to the tailbone.

The PC muscle is critical because it supports your pelvic organs and plays an important role in regulating the flow of urine and the passing of gas.

Have I got your attention yet? Obviously, the PC muscle is one you want to keep in tip-top shape. Fortunately, doing so is not hard, as long as you practice regularly.

How to do Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises for men don’t require any special shoes, clothing or accessories. All you need to do is concentrate.

To clench your PC muscle, think about how you try to stop the flow of urine. That involves your PC muscle. You can practice clenching or squeezing your PC muscle the next time you urinate: Try to stop the flow of urine, then let it start again, then stop it. This is the gist of doing Kegel exercises.

After you have practiced squeezing your PC muscle, you’re ready to do Kegel exercises. Here’s how:

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• Contract the PC muscle and hold it for five seconds, then release it. This is one repetition.
• Focus solely on your PC muscle. Do not tighten your abdominal, thigh or buttock muscles when you do these exercises.
• Repeat the repetitions 20 times, twice a day, for about a week, and then gradually increase to 40 repetitions twice a day, then 60.

You can do Kegel exercises anywhere, at any time. Stuck in traffic? Do Kegels. Waiting in line at the supermarket? Ditto. So you don’t forget to do your Kegels, put an alarm on your cellphone to remind you.

Benefits of Kegel exercises

If you’re wondering how effective Kegel exercises can be, here are a few examples.

• One study looked at 55 men who had experienced erectile dysfunction for at least six months. When the men practiced Kegel exercises daily for three to six months, 40 percent of them were able to regain erectile function, 35.5 percent said erection rigidity improved, and 25.5 percent reported no difference. The study’s authors concluded that men should “exercise their pelvic floor muscles to maintain normal pelvic floor function.”
• In a subsequent review, experts evaluated randomized controlled trials in which men with urinary and fecal incontinence and erectile dysfunction had practiced Kegel exercises. The researchers found that practicing Kegel exercises significantly improved erectile function and urinary incontinence. It would be “prudent for all men” to practice Kegel exercises regularly to maintain normal pelvic floor function.
• Among men who undergo prostatectomy, erectile dysfunction is a common side effect, but Kegel exercises may help. A study of 63 men who had a prostatectomy looked at two groups: 35 practiced pelvic floor muscle exercises after surgery, while 27 did not until the third month after surgery. The researchers reported a significant beneficial difference among men who started Kegel exercises immediately after prostatectomy compared with the control group.

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Kegel exercises for all men

Kegel exercises can benefit men who are experiencing problems with erectile dysfunction and urinary tract issues. Still, they are also helpful for any man, because they strengthen a muscle that is critical for overall health.

In addition, Kegel exercises can help men who are experiencing problems with prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) as well as men who are facing the challenge of premature ejaculation or who have undergone prostatectomy and need to restore pelvic muscle strength.

Men who practice Kegel exercises daily can expect to notice results in about four to six weeks. If you are planning to undergo any type of prostate or urinary tract surgery, you can benefit from beginning your Kegel exercises before the procedure.

That way, you will build up the PC muscle to weather the procedure better and bounce back post-surgery. After surgery, however, talk to your healthcare provider before you restart your Kegel exercises to be sure you are ready for them.

Sources

1. Randomised controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle exercises and manometric biofeedback for erectile dysfunction — British Journal of General Practice
2. Restoring pelvic floor function in men: review of RTCs — The British Journal of Nursing
3. Effects of early pelvic-floor muscle exercise for sexual dysfunction in radical prostatectomy recipients — Cancer Nursing

The post Kegel exercises for men: Do they work? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

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®.

More than 3,000 food additives are poured into our foods — and even our medications. Many of these chemicals are linked to prostate cancer, other cancers, heart disease, diabetes and a wide range of health problems.

It is difficult to avoid all processed foods, but learning how to avoid the seven worst ingredients can help you focus on what to look for when reading labels.

If you see any of the following ingredients on a food label, you may want to put the box back on the shelf and keep shopping. These ingredients are detrimental to your health and should be avoided if possible.

In fact, if you have been suffering from unexplained headaches, bowel troubles or allergy-like symptoms, it may be time to look at your diet and eliminate some of the ingredients in processed foods.

Here’s a closer look at each type of additive and the health problems associated with it.

1. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer found in many frozen dinners, salad dressings, chips and meats. MSG is mostly made up of the same neurotransmitter used by your pancreas, eyes, brain, nervous system and other organs for initiating processes in your body.

MSG overexcites your cells and causes the nerves in the brain to fire rapidly and repeatedly, leading to damage or death. This additive may worsen or trigger Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. MSG commonly causes headaches as well as heart palpitations, and an increased desire to eat more food.

You have to use caution in reading labels for MSG: It can hide under other names and be included in a variety of other additives such as yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable powder, glutamate, caseinate and natural flavor.

2. Artificial Sweeteners

One of the biggest myths about artificial sweeteners is that they can help you lose weight. Found in diet foods, low-calorie foods, drinks and liquid medications, artificial sweeteners are meant to reduce the amount of sugar and calories consumed.

However, ingesting artificial sweeteners can lead to even greater weight gain than results from consuming sugar. Artificial sweeteners are found under the names aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), saccharin and acesulfame potassium.

Artificial sweeteners can also cause headaches and dizziness, and some of them have even been linked to cancer. The amino acids in aspartame launch an attack on your cells, creating a toxic cellular overstimulation similar to the one that MSG causes. Artificial sweeteners, especially sucralose, inactivate digestive enzymes, changing the function of the gut barrier. That can cause or worsen inflammatory bowel disease. Research has shown that sucralose destroys up to 50 percent of your beneficial gut flora.

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3. High-Fructose Corn Syrup

High-fructose corn syrup is an inexpensive alternative to sugar, but the cost to your health is that it can tax and damage your liver the same way that alcohol does. The fructose in high-fructose corn syrup goes directly to your liver, where it is metabolized into fat to be stored in your fat cells. It leads to obesity, heart disease, insulin resistance and other related health problems. You can find this additive in sodas, juices, many processed foods and liquid medications.

4. Artificial Flavors

Artificial flavors are used to mimic the taste of natural ingredients and make processed foods taste better. This category is very vague, though. One artificial flavor can contain almost 50 chemicals. Artificial flavors can contain genetically modified flavor enhancers, as can “natural flavor.” Artificial flavors are linked to allergic reactions and behavioral reactions.

5. Artificial Colors

Each year, 15 million pounds of artificial food dyes are poured into U.S. foods. Nine of the approved food dyes are linked to cancer and hyperactivity in children, as well as allergy-like reactions and sinus problems. These colorful dyes may make food, candy and even over-the-counter medicines look more attractive; but you should try your best to avoid these deceptive dyes.

6. Trans Fats

Trans fats are the least healthy fats you can eat. These solid fats originated as healthier, liquid vegetable oils but were hydrogenated to form a solid fat that can cause many health problems. Avoid these completely. Trans fats can raise your triglyceride level and low-density lipoprotein level (LDL) (otherwise known as your bad cholesterol), increasing your risk for a heart attack. Trans fats are linked to prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

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7. Preservatives In Processed Foods

Processed foods have a lot of preservatives because these additives lengthen a food’s shelf life. Problems associated with preservatives can include allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, possibly cancer, etc.

Preservatives to avoid include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), TBQQ (tertiary butyl hydroquinone), sodium nitrate, sodium nitrate and sodium benzoate as well as polysorbate 60, 65 and 80. Both BHA and BHT can affect the neurological system of the brain, alter your behavior and potentially cause cancer.

TBHQ is a chemical preservative linked to cancer that can also cause tinnitus, nausea and vomiting. Sodium nitrate (not to be confused with naturally occurring dietary nitrates in foods like beets and spinach), commonly found in cured meats (hot dogs, deli meat and bacon), has been linked with higher rates of stomach, colorectal and pancreatic cancer. It is worth it to buy nitrate-free options. Sodium benzoate, found in juices and sodas, has been linked to allergies.

The sulfites found in dried fruits, flavored vinegar and wine are other preservatives that cause undesirable reactions. They especially can affect people with asthma. Sulfites may cause headaches, rashes, bowel irritability and behavioral problems.

Reading Labels And Eating Fresher Foods

Even though it is important to read and understand food labels so you know what you are putting in your body, it is important to note that not all foods require a label.

Organic, whole and natural foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts do not require a label because they are fresh and without added ingredients. If you eat a whole-food diet, you will be a lot healthier and won’t have to worry about what you are putting in your body.

The Mediterranean diet supports the consumption of whole foods and natural ingredients. Because the Mediterranean diet focuses on fresh seasonal produce, heart-healthy oils, fish and whole grains, it has been associated with many heart and other health benefits.

Mediterranean diet prostate benefits include the reduction of inflammation, support of the body’s defenses against cancer, reduction in saturated fats, an extremely low level of trans fats, low level of sugar, a large amount of antioxidants and the elimination of processed foods.

Several studies have demonstrated that eating a Mediterranean diet can help men prevent or reduce symptoms of prostate cancer,(BPH) and prostatitis.

When you are shopping, try to stick to the aisles where you find generally fresher products and avoid the processed foods aisles that contain long lists of preservatives, sweeteners and unnatural ingredients. Carefully read the labels for foods and medicines so you can avoid the seven worst types of ingredients in processed foods. Doing this can help you protect your brain, heart and overall health.

Following these simple guidelines will help you eat better and eliminate unhealthy ingredients.

After excluding some of these additives from your diet, you may notice that you feel better, too. If your headaches, allergies and bowel troubles end after changing your diet, your problems may have been caused by additives in your processed foods.

The post Never buy foods with these 7 ingredients 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

The post Pygeum: Natural prostate support that stacks up 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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Processed foods are filled with many unhealthy ingredients like preservatives, flavorings, and dyes. More than 3,000 food additives are poured into our foods — and even our medications. Many of these chemicals are linked to prostate cancer, other cancers, heart disease, diabetes and a wide range of health problems.

It is difficult to avoid all processed foods, but learning how to avoid the seven worst ingredients can help you focus on what to look for when reading labels. If you see any of the following ingredients on a food label, you may want to put the box back on the shelf and keep shopping. These additives are detrimental to your health and should be avoided if possible. In fact, if you’ve been suffering from unexplained headaches, bowel troubles or allergy-like symptoms, it may be time to look at your diet and eliminate some of the ingredients in processed foods.

Here’s a closer look at each type of additive and the health problems associated with it.

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Penile pain is a delicate subject, pun intended, but the presence of pain in the root (the part that connects the penis to the abdominal wall), shaft (main external body of the penis), head (glans penis) or urethra (the tube that allows urine and semen to move through and out of the penis) can be serious and should not be ignored.

In fact, before I go any further to discuss the symptoms and causes of penis pain, I want to emphasize the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• An erection that lasts four hours or longer (a condition known as priapism).
• Injury or trauma to the penis or testicles that may occur in an accident or sports injury.
• A cracking or popping sound during an erection or sexual intercourse.
• Inability to urinate.

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Symptoms Of Penis Pain

Symptoms of penis pain may develop gradually or suddenly and last only moments, or be persistent. The pain itself may be dull, sharp, or variable and interfere with urination, sexual activity, fertility, or daily activities. It may cause only mild, temporary discomfort. Penis pain that is accompanied by other symptoms should be checked by a medical professional.

What are some of those accompanying symptoms?

• Blood present in the ejaculate
• Bruising of the penis
• Discharge from the urethra
• Erectile dysfunction
• Hard growths or lumps in the groin area or on the penis
• Inflammation of the penis
• Itchy penis
• Pain in the abdomen, bladder, prostate gland or testicles (scrotum)
• Premature ejaculation
• Presence of a thick secretion (smegma) that accumulates under the foreskin
• Sores, lesions or rash on the penis
• Swelling of the penis or adjacent area
• Urination problems, such as pain or burning when urinating, bloody urine, difficulty urinating

Generally, it’s a wise choice to seek medical help when any of these symptoms accompany penis pain. To best help your doctor with a diagnosis, be sure to make a note of when the pain and the other symptoms started, what may have precipitated them, how severe the symptoms are, whether you notice any particular time or circumstance under which they occur, any history of these symptoms in the past, and what you may have done already to alleviate them.

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Causes Of Penis Pain

The causes of penis pain range from a wide variety of diseases or conditions that can affect the penis or the urethra and urinary tract and include sexual activity or physical trauma associated with an accident or surgery. Possible causes of penis pain include the following:

• Allergic reaction to spermicides, soaps or detergents
• Bites, either human or insect
• Bladder stones
• Cancer of the penis
• Sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea or syphilis
• Injury, such as being kicked or hit by a ball during sports, or while riding a bicycle or motorcycle
• Infection, such as a urinary tract infection (not just a female problem!), balanitis (infection that develops under the foreskin of uncircumcised men) or from an infected penile implant
• Paraphimosis (when the foreskin has been pulled back and cannot be returned to its normal position, causing swelling, pain, and disrupted blood flow to the penis
• Penile fracture, which can occur if the penis experiences a blunt blow during an erection
• Phimosis, in which the foreskin is extremely tight and cannot be retracted
• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
• Peyronie’s disease (painful curvature of the penis caused by scar tissue)
• Pimples
• Poor hygiene
• Reiter syndrome (type of reactive arthritis that affects the urethra)
• Sickle cell anemia, which can cause painful erections
• Trauma from difficult removal of a urinary catheter
• Urethritis, inflammation of the urethra

Naturally, treatment of penis pain depends on the cause. However, delaying the identification and diagnosis of penis pain may result in unintended consequences, including serious complications such as erectile dysfunction, gangrene, serious infections, urinary incontinence, and the spread of cancer (if penile cancer is the diagnosis). Therefore, don’t be embarrassed by penis pain: Seek professional medical advice.

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Get screened

Some men are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Even if you are not able to prevent prostate cancer, getting screening early and regularly with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exams (DREs) can help you to monitor your prostate health and take swift action if you do find anything concerning. Early treatment increases your chances of beating this disease.

When should you get a PSA test? Even though prostate cancer is usually diagnosed when men are in their 50s or older, younger men are being diagnosed sooner due to early screening.

Eat foods that kill cancer

Whether you are trying to prevent cancer or already are fighting it, eating cancer-killing foods is an easy way to improve your health. Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, and others), which are high in cancer-fighting compounds. Other important foods in an anti-cancer diet include lycopene-rich tomatoes and tomato products, cayenne pepper, pomegranates, mushrooms, turmeric/cucumin, and green tea. These foods are all part of the The Prostate Diet, a healthy plan for supporting prostate health.

Drink green tea

Green tea is one of the top drinks for prostate health for a good reason. Studies have shown that men who drink green tea have a reduced risk of prostate cancer. The catechins found in green tea are antioxidants that can also help men with a precancerous condition called prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).

Avoid foods that can cause prostate cancer

Certain foods like red meat, sugar, artificial sweeteners, fried foods, and fast foods are associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer. Avoid well-done meat and cooking meat at high temperatures.

Avoid chemicals and toxins

Our environment contains chemicals and toxins that can increase risk for prostate cancer and other cancers as well. Reduce your exposure to pesticides by eating organic and avoiding using them in and around your home. It is also important to avoid foods that come in cans lined with bisphenol-A (BPA) or in plastic containers that contain BPA.

Take supplements that support prostate health

If you want to maximize your prostate health, taking supplements (in addition to eating a healthful prostate-friendly diet), can help support your immunity and maintain a healthy prostate. Two common prostate conditions, prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can put men at an increased risk for prostate cancer. Taking a top prostate supplement can help you gain control of your prostate health support the measures you are taking to prevent prostate cancer.

Reduce stress

Many experts believe that stress triggers an immune system response that initiates the uncontrollable cell mutation that is associated with cancer. Chronic stress can also lead to chronic inflammation, which is associated with cancer and other health problems. That is why it is important to take measures to manage stress. One method is meditation, which reduces your production of the stress hormone cortisol. Some men relieve stress through counseling, group therapy, exercise, yoga, and tai chi. Explore different methods to find what helps you reduce stress.

Exercise more

Exercise has many health benefits, and research shows that exercising more can reduce your risk for prostate cancer. The best exercises for prostate health and preventing prostate cancer include moderate to vigorous exercises. Need motivation? A recent study found that doing at least three hours of vigorous activity every week is associated with a 61 percent lower risk of dying from prostate cancer.

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Obese men are at an increased risk for prostate cancer. There are a number of studies showing the link between being overweight and having a higher prostate cancer risk. Plus, having a healthy weight can help you fight prostate cancer better and fight more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

Eat fatty fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids

Eating fatty fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids can lower your risk for prostate cancer. A Swedish study that involved more than 2,600 men found that the men who ate fish rich in omega-3 at least once per week enjoyed a 43 percent lower risk of prostate cancer compared to men who do not eat that kind of fish. Salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

While you may not have control over all the contributing factors for prostate cancer, you can control certain elements of your lifestyle such as diet, exercise, and avoiding certain substances. That goes a long way in maximizing your prostate health and in positively affecting your long-term survival in beating prostate cancer if you find yourself among the “one in six” men who do get it. Remember to get screened, be aware of your own risk factors, and to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

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Besides helping your heart and your waistline and preventing prostate cancer, a diet rich in certain vegetables can improve your sexual health. In fact, there is a connection between sexual health and heart health, as clogged arteries can cause problems for both. Many vegetables can help with erectile dysfunction (ED) and prostate health. Erectile dysfunction (ED) can affect men from time to time, but it is estimated that between 15 percent and 25 percent of men over 65 have ED on a long-term basis.

Fresh vegetables are filled with phytonutrients and high levels of substances that fight inflammation such as antioxidants, polyphenols and vitamins that help prevent preventing enlarged prostate (BPH), a condition often related to ejaculatory problems and ED. Vegetables rich in nitrates, lycopene, folate are all helpful at helping men with sexual health.

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Beets And Nitrates

Red and golden root vegetables are rich in nitrates. The bacteria on your tongue convert those nitrates to nitrites that are converted to nitric oxide in the stomach. Medications that treat ED work by increasing nitric oxide levels, which increase blood flow to the penis by dilating the blood vessels. So perhaps adding beets (one of the best vegetables for sexual health) to your meal can help in the bedroom as well.

Research on beets and beet juice for erectile dysfunction shows that beets influence blood flow, blood pressure and performance in exercise. A British research team did a study on beets and blood pressure. They found that when healthy people drank beet juice, their blood pressure improved for 24 hours. People in the study drank 2 cups of beet juice, and their blood pressure begin to go down one hour after drinking the juice. The peak decline in blood pressure was three to four hours after drinking the beet juice, and that occurred at the same time as peak nitrite blood levels.

In a 2012 randomized study of rowers who drank either a placebo or 500 ml of beet juice for six days, participants did timed indoor rowing machine repetitions. Analysis of the results showed that supplementing nitrites through beetroot juice improved the rowers’ maximal repetitions. The improvements were particularly better in the later stages of doing the exercise.

A study on patients with peripheral artery disease showed that beet juice helped the patients more than a placebo. Patients who consumed beet juice were able to walk 18 percent farther and 17 percent longer.

While there are no clinical studies on beets and ED, it makes sense that anything that helps increase blood flow and nitric oxide is going to benefit erectile strength. The natural nitrates that you can get from whole foods are safer than supplements. And you get the benefits of phytonutrients found in the foods.

Vegetables high in nitrates include: radishes, beets, turnip tops, carrots, lettuce and celery.

Lycopene For Sexual Health

Lycopene, a red pigment found in tomatoes, watermelon, red carrots and grapefruit, may also help with ED. Lycopene is an antioxidant that is part of the carotenoid family. It is best absorbed through diet and when combined with spinach and oily vegetables such as avocado. In fact, a study at the Madrid Urological Institute has shown that lycopene from tomatoes taken with olive oil may improve ED. The three-month study of 40 men over the age of 50 with mild to moderate ED showed that 20 ml of extra virgin olive oil combined with 8 mg of tomato lycopene helped 50 percent of the participants attain improved erections. Lycopene has also been found to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Lycopene is more readily absorbed from processed tomatoes in sauces, pastes and ketchup than from uncooked tomatoes.

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Garlic And Onions

Garlic has long been used as an aphrodisiac. It improves blood circulation. (Notice the trend here. Improved blood flow equals better sexual performance.) Eating garlic and onions lowers a man’s risk of enlarged prostate. The selenium in garlic may help prevent prostate cancer as well.

Vegetables High In Folate

Folate is an amino acid that lowers blood levels of homocysteine, a harmful substance associated with plaque in the arteries. Folate is believed to lower the risk of plaque and possibly lead to better sex via improved genital blood flow.

Vegetables high in folate include spinach (also high in magnesium that helps dilate blood vessels), asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli (also rich in DIM), beets, Swiss chard, bok choy and cabbage.

As you can see, vegetables are crucial for improving many aspects of your health, including better sexual health.

For more great posts on male health, check these out:

Top 3 foods for better male sexual health

8 worst foods for prostate health

The post Best vegetables for sexual health appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Resistance training can help you reach those goals because it stimulates the development of proteins found in muscle cells, which then improves the ability of muscles to perform.

To experience the benefits of resistance exercise, it’s important to understand the best ways to optimize your time at the gym so you can ensure you maintain optimal health and benefits from each workout session.

The first one is that the shorter rest periods advocated by some extreme cardio workout programs may not be best for resistance training.

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What is resistance training?

Resistance training consists of any exercise that allows the muscles to contract against an outside resistance, such as weight machines, dumbbells or your own body weight. Among the most common and basic types of resistance exercises with body weight are pushups and lunges, and you can also use free weights and machines to add more resistance than your body weight provides.

But if you are serious or want to be serious about resistance training, one thing you want to know is how much rest you need to optimize the benefits of your activity.

A study published in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research points out that although resistance training offers men a variety of benefits, there are some shortfalls if you don’t follow some specific practices. In particular, when resistance exercises are done with short rest, men can experience significant fatigue that has a negative impact on their technique and results.

At the University of Connecticut, researchers examined the impact of fatigue on 12 men who had at least six months of experience with resistance training. The study used bodyweight squats, which are highly tiring, to test fatigue.

The investigators noted there were “lasting residual effects on movement capabilities after a high-intensity short rest protocol,” including significant decreases in knee and hip flexion and hip adduction.

If you are using resistance training and want to maximize your benefits, then you might want to discuss your workouts with a professional. The authors of the study explain that “strength and conditioning coaches must be careful to monitor movements and exercise techniques after such workout to prevent injury and optimize subsequent exercise protocols that might be sequenced in order.”

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Other benefits of resistance exercise

Resistance exercise can also provide better cardiovascular health, a reduction in body fat and an increase in metabolic rate (you’ll burn more fat).

And since bone density is a concern for men as well as women, it’s good to know that resistance exercise has a positive impact on the level of bone minerals and can help in the fight against osteoporosis. In fact, a review published in Sports Medicine reported that “strength exercise seems to be a powerful stimulus to improve and maintain bone mass during the aging process.”

Those of us in medical practice have known this for years, as the body is a reactive system. If you want to increase bone density, you have to challenge your body so that it knows you need harder, stronger bones.

Resistance exercise for older men

One reason men engage in resistance training is to ward off the negative effects of aging. A new study looked at how effective that effort could be in both men and women. The elderly volunteers (average age 70) in the study engaged in resistance training three times a week for six months. The researchers used X-rays to measure factors contributing to strength and other health aspects both before and after the study was completed.

At the end of the study, the researchers found that muscle fiber size, leg lean mass and quadriceps area all increased.

And did you know that studies show the stronger your quad muscles are, the less chance there is you’ll die early of any cause?

The participants also experienced an improvement in sit-to-stand time, along with better cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and glycemic control. These findings led the authors to note that a “generic resistance-type exercise training program can be applied for both women and men to effectively counteract the loss of muscle mass and strength with aging.”

If you are already engaged in resistance exercise training, it’s wise to periodically review your program and discuss it with a professional trainer and your healthcare provider. If you are considering starting a resistance exercise program, be sure to consult your doctor before beginning and work with an exercise specialist to determine the best program for you.

For more information on men’s health, see prostate.net.

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Sure, if you’re over 40, you probably already know that your testosterone levels start to decline. And you may notice that it is harder to get results from your workouts. Your middle might start getting thicker. Your bones and joints are not the same as they used to be. Maybe you are more easily distracted or more tired than you were in your 20s and 30s.

But what you may not know is that if you pay just a little more attention to your diet and eat better, you can maximize your health and naturally boost energy.

There are foods that are best for men after age 40. You should look for foods that support good heart health, prostate health, strong bones and a healthy sex life. Eating well improves your mental health and increases your immunity for fighting cancer and other diseases that are more common as you age.

Food for heart health

Your heart health is tied to many other measure of health in your body. When you eat well to support your heart, you are also eating for better sexual health: Good circulation is important for erectile health. Your diet should include heart-healthy fats like avocados, nuts and healthy oils such as olive oils. Use plant-based oils that include monounsaturated fats.

Eating foods rich in folate supports good cardiovascular health and protects the lining of your arteries.

Vegetables rich in folate include:

• Spinach (also high in magnesium for helping to dilate blood vessels)
• Asparagus
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Beets
• Kale
• Swiss chard
• Bok choy
• Cabbage

Foods for prostate health

Fresh fruits and vegetables are important for the health of your whole body, but they can also help you prevent an enlarged prostate, a more common problem as men age. Problems associated with an enlarged and aging prostate include urinary problems, ejaculatory problems and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Vegetables rich in nitrates (beets), lycopene (tomatoes) and folate (green leafy vegetables, asparagus and bananas) are all helpful at maintaining prostate size and sexual health.

Cooked tomatoes are very high in lycopene, an antioxidant important for good prostate health and prostate cancer prevention. Beware of canned tomatoes: Bisphenol-A (BPA) from can linings can get into the acidic tomatoes. This chemical acts like estrogen in the body and is harmful to men’s health. Look for tomatoes in glass or BPA-free packaging. Watermelon is also high in lycopene.

Omega-3 fatty acids are good for prostate health and for prostate cancer prevention. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish (like salmon, sardines and tuna). Vegetarian sources like Sacha Inchi oil and chia seeds are great, but after 40 it gets harder to convert the type of omega-3 in vegetable sources (ALA) into the types used by the body (EPA and DHA).

Studies show that eating fish oils high in omega-3 may decrease inflammation of the prostate and help prevent prostate cancer from progressing. However, omega-3s from soy and flax may not be the best for men’s health because of their estrogenic effects.

Pomegranates are also an amazing food that can cause prostate cancer cells to die. Pomegranates are great for preventing prostate cancer and overall prostate health, because the fruit is high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. The tasty treat also prevents and assists with symptoms of common prostate conditions like enlarged prostate and prostatitis.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables provides you with phytonutrients and high levels of substances that fight inflammation such as antioxidants, polyphenols and vitamins. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage contain the phytonutrient 3,3-Diindolylmethane (DIM). DIM supports hormone balance and normal prostate size.

Foods for strong bones

Just like women, men are at risk of the bone-weakening effects of osteoporosis. But you can prevent bone loss with weight-bearing exercise and by eating the right foods. You may be surprised to learn that you should avoid calcium supplements and dairy, because they are associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer and a heart attack risk.

Eat foods that are high in natural calcium, including:

• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Bok choy
• Arugula
• Tofu
• Almonds and almond butter
• Sesame seeds
• Chia seeds
• Figs

Getting your calcium from whole foods instead of supplements provides you with minerals and micronutrients that help you metabolize the calcium better and that also support good bone health.

Foods for better sexual health

Erectile strength and libido decrease with age, but you can eat foods that naturally boost testosterone, increase your libido and work as natural remedies for erectile dysfunction. Look to foods that are high in nitrates and lycopene. Beets are especially high in nitrates. These nitrates are converted to nitrites by bacteria in your mouth and then to nitric oxide in your stomach. Eating beets for erectile dysfunction is a more natural way to help with minor erectile dysfunction problems, and beets work by using the same concept as erectile dysfunction treatments. Drugs like Viagra work by increasing nitric oxide levels, and that dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the penis.

Vegetables high in nitrates include:

• Beets
• Radishes
• Carrots
• Lettuce
• Celery
• Turnip tops

Erectile function can also improve with lycopene. It is best to get lycopene, found in tomatoes and watermelon, through diet. It is most effectively absorbed if combined with spinach and oily items like avocado or olive oil. A study at the Madrid Urological Institute found that 50 percent of the men with ED who consumed tomato lycopene with extra virgin olive oil were able to achieve improved erections.  Garlic is an aphrodisiac that also goes nicely with tomato sauce, so toss some in when cooking.

Foods that support mental health

Here is something to think about: You can feed your brain the right foods to help lower your risk for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and depression.

Foods that may prevent Alzheimer’s include omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines or herring as well as eating walnuts, flaxseed and olive oil.

Certain vitamins are important to brain health, including vitamin C (found in red peppers, broccoli and strawberries) and vitamin E (found in olive oil and almonds).

Berries are great for brain health because they contain polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that stop inflammation and help your brain cells work better.

Crossword puzzles aren’t the only way to keep your brain sharp. Studies show that people in their 60s who eat more spinach and other leafy green vegetables over time score higher in memory, verbal and other tests than people in their 60s who do not eat green leafy vegetables.

We all feel better when we eat chocolate and with good reason. Dark chocolate with a 70 percent cocoa content contains important flavonoids. These flavonoids can help fight heart disease and slow down the effects of dementia.

At the Univ. of Montana, they even discovered that dark chocolate can protect the brain from the effects of toxins in air pollution.

Foods to prevent cancer

You can prevent or fight cancer by consuming certain drinks and foods that have been found to prevent cancer. Both red wine and green tea have been shown to help prevent prostate cancer. The resveratrol found in red wine is an antioxidant and phytonutrient. Plus, the wine may bring on feelings of relaxation, which helps protect mental health.

The catechins in green tea are potent antioxidants.  A study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research found that EGCG, the main active component in green tea, shuts down the inflammation that causes prostate cancer cells to form

Also, try to eat five or more servings per week of raw cruciferous vegetables, which can help prevent cancer of the bladder, colon, liver and lung. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale contain high levels of glucosinolates. In the digestive tract, these become iosthiocyanates, which inhibit tumor growth. But isothiocyanates break down when heated, so you will get your best anti-cancer punch if you eat them raw. If you struggle with eating them, throw them in smoothies or dip them in guacamole or hummus.

Many of the foods we listed here appear in more than one category. That is because all your areas of health are connected. Foods that are good for prostate cancer prevention also may help your heart and sexual health. If health in one area declines, it can harm the health of other parts of the body. And if you don’t feel well, that can compromise your mental health. A whole body approach to wellness that includes diet, exercise and prostate supplements is your best bet for feeling your best and preventing disease as you get older.

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It’s more common than you might think. Studies say that about one in every 4 men, and 1 in 10 women have it. Men are much more likely than women to develop OSA, and men who are middle-aged and overweight are especially susceptible.

The worst part is that it doesn’t just affect your sleep. For men, obstructive sleep apnea also is often accompanied by erectile dysfunction. And for women, it can mean hidden heart disease.

Sleep apnea and breathing

OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea. In people who have this condition, the airway becomes blocked or collapses while they are sleeping. This causes them to experience breathing pauses and/or shallow breaths. The pauses can last several seconds or longer, and they can occur 30 times or more per hour.

OSA causes people to transition from deep sleep to a light slumber that typically leaves them tired or even exhausted the next day. Because there are no tests doctors can conduct during an office visit to identify obstructive sleep apnea and no blood test is useful, the condition often goes undiagnosed unless the person’s bed partner notices the breathing problem.

But OSA may not be the only problem bed partners notice. Experts have been studying the combination of sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, and here’s what they’ve discovered.

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Apnea, sexual function and strokes

Researchers from Mount Sinai Medical Center explored the relationship between OSA and erectile dysfunction in 870 middle-aged men who were part of a cardiac screening program. Results of the study were presented at an Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association.2

After making adjustments for age and other health problems, the researchers found that the men who had erectile dysfunction were more than twice as likely to have OSA than the normal men in the study.

In fact, the chances of having the sleep problem increased as the severity of erectile dysfunction increased.

Later studies have shown that OSA and erectile dysfunction often also have heart problems that go along with them, like heart arrhythmias and endothelial dysfunction.

And if you’re a woman, you’re also at risk for heart problems if you have sleep apnea.

In one study, researchers followed the health of 967 women for 8 years. They discovered that women with sleep apnea were 244 percent more likely to have any coronary event … and 644 percent more likely to have a stroke.

What causes it?

In Spain, investigators set out to identify the factors that can influence the occurrence of erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnea. After allowing for other factors, those associated with erectile dysfunction in the study were age and high cholesterol.

Next door in Portugal, researchers found that for both men and women, diabetes and sleep apnea go hand-in-hand.

What this means is that obstructive sleep apnea is a serious health condition that can be life-threatening if it is not diagnosed and treated.

Since higher cholesterol is related to sleep apnea, here are a few supplements that can help lower cholesterol:

• Apple pectin.
• Artichoke extract.
• Beet juice powder
• Blond psyllium
• Fish oil
• Lypase

As with anything you consume, research the benefits, side effects and recommended dosages for each supplement you consider.

The post Broken sleep, sexual function and deadly strokes appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

While he and I were speaking about the dangers of testosterone boosting drugs, I also wanted to write to you about a related subject …

You see it’s not always “boosting” testosterone that can help you recover your youthful levels. Sometimes you get more from less … specifically, getting rid of the common, sometimes over-the-counter drugs that can lower testosterone.

You see those who make remedies for low testosterone, commonly referred to as low T, typically urge men to explore the use of synthetic testosterone products to remedy their situation.

But they hardly ever ask the question, “What is causing your low testosterone?”

Yet one answer is pharmaceutical drugs themselves.

The testosterone level of a healthy young male generally ranges from 300 to 800 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl), with figures of less than 300 ng/dL generally considered to be low T (also known as hypogonadism).

Symptoms of low testosterone may include a reduction in muscle mass, decline in bone density (raising osteoporosis risk), low libido, memory problems, concentration difficulties, depression, weight gain, erectile dysfunction and lack of energy. Testosterone levels naturally begin to decline gradually around age 30.

The magnitude and extent of low testosterone associated with medication use is not yet fully understood, but a new study has shed some light on at least one problematic class of drugs: the opioids.

Growing awareness

We’ve known that opioids such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Oxycontin) can lower testosterone levels. However, long-acting opioids have a huge effect.

Investigators in a Kaiser Permanente study compared use of short-acting and long-acting opioids in 81 men being treated for chronic pain for at least three months.

The important thing to note is that none of the men had low testosterone before entering treatment. Three months later, however, that had changed.

Seventy-four percent of the men who were using long-acting opioids had low testosterone, compared with 34 percent of men who used short-acting opioids. After allowing for daily dosage and body mass, the authors concluded that men using long-acting drugs were nearly five times more likely to have low testosterone.

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Five that cause low testosterone

A number of other drugs and medications have been associated with low testosterone.

These include:

Statins: Men who take statins to lower cholesterol are also cutting off the main source of their androgenic hormone production. It’s that simple. The body needs cholesterol to make testosterone, and statin drugs short-circuit that process.

Ketoconazole: You may have never heard the name, but if you’ve ever had athlete’s foot, dermatitis, or dandruff then you’ve used this ingredient. And it’s been proven to block your body from making testosterone.   

Antihistamines: Ever taken a drug for acid reflux or heartburn? Cimetidine is the offending ingredient that also blocks the body from producing testosterone.

Illicit drugs: Besides opioids, other illicit drug use, including anabolic steroids, marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines, are associated with low testosterone and other factors that affect male infertility.

Antidepressants: Use of antidepressants is supposed to help lift your spirits, but these drugs may also bring testosterone levels down. If you are being treated with antidepressants, be sure to talk to your doctor about the possibility of a negative impact on your testosterone levels.

If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, the drugs or medications you are using may be a factor. Be sure to discuss your questions and concerns about low testosterone and drug use with a knowledgeable professional.

The post These 5 common drugs sink your testosterone appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But odds are, you’re already deficient.

In fact, about 75% of Americans ^[1] don’t get enough of this single mineral that can mend all those problems I just mentioned, and bring you even more benefits.

It’s essential for a man’s brain, heart, and bone health, and also plays a role in helping to free-bound testosterone.

This mineral plays many other roles in the body as well. It helps in activating muscles and nerves, and aids in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

It also activates adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule our muscles use for energy. It serves as a precursor for serotonin and other neurotransmitters. And it serves as a building block for RNA and DNA synthesis.

It’s so important that NASA astronauts take it to make sure their DNA doesn’t deteriorate in space.

Yet most people are deficient, and that’s mostly because none of us get enough of it from food anymore. Our food contains less than in the past because this essential mineral is farmed out of the soil by modern farming methods. Organically grown foods tend to contain more, but this is a case where supplementation is key to maintaining healthy, effective levels.

How serious is this problem?

In 1900 we were getting a very healthy amount … around 500 mg per day.

Today we get only 175-225 per day. ^[2]

What is this nutrient that’s now so scarce, yet so important we can’t possibly be healthy without it?

It’s the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, the ninth most abundant in the entire universe, and we need it for over 300 biological processes…

I’m talking about the 12^th element, magnesium.

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Where did it all go?

As I mentioned, there is no test you can take at the doctor’s office to determine your magnesium levels. Your blood only contains about 1% of your body’s magnesium. Most of it is in your bones. That means you have to watch out for symptoms that you may be deficient. The early signs include:

• Appetite loss
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Weakness

An ongoing deficiency can lead to more serious symptoms like the following:

• Seizure
• Muscle contraction
• Cramps
• Coronary spasms
• Numbness
• Hearing loss
• Tingling
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Personality changes

Certain lifestyle factors can deplete magnesium such as too much stress and excessive exercise. Prescription drugs like diuretics and diabetes drugs can also deplete magnesium – and in some cases also increase dependency on those and other drugs.

Fluoride is another mineral that can drain you body of magnesium because magnesium binds to the fluoride. We have fluoridated water, fluoride in our toothpaste, and did you know that fluoride is also commonly found in prescription medications? Not just medicines that older people tend to take, but antibiotics (fluoroquinolones like Cipro), cholesterol drugs, painkillers, and anti-anxiety drugs. These can all potentially deplete magnesium.

Magnesium intake should be balanced with vitamins and other minerals such as calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 for optimal health. These four nutrients work together and support one another. When they are not in balance, there are health risks such as an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and even sudden death in people who take calcium without balancing it with magnesium.

Also, if you take too much vitamin D without sufficient magnesium or vitamin K it can lead to vitamin D toxicity.

Better bodies – for women and men

Magnesium is essential for strong bones and healthy teeth. Yet women especially have been told to turn to calcium for bone health when they should be looking into magnesium – specifically getting the right balance of calcium and magnesium (magnesium and calcium should be taken in a 1:1 ratio).

There are many other reasons to avoid taking calcium supplements such as an increased risk for prostate cancer, heart attacks, and other problems. But really it comes down to making sure calcium intake is balanced with magnesium intake to prevent these risks.

There is also a lot of good data and recent studies on magnesium for reversing dementia and other cognitive decline, both in men and women.

Magnesium can also help men over 40 with their hormones as they age. There is some good research around magnesium freeing men’s bound testosterone (T) and total T in men.

Free testosterone is the “active” T that is available for the cellular functions that we associate with T such as muscle growth and repair, libido, bone growth, and others. Only 2 to 3% of total serum testosterone is normally active, or free for use by the body. As men age, SHBG (serum hormone binding globulin) and another protein, albumin, bind testosterone, which keeps it from doing the things men need, so it’s important to “free” the bound T in the body.

Men who are struggling with their T levels should think about adding magnesium to their daily supplements. Taking a natural testosterone boosting formula may also help.

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How to take magnesium

Magnesium must be bound to other substances, which is why you won’t find a 100% magnesium product.

There are a variety of magnesium supplements but they vary in quality. Avoid inexpensive and low-quality products like magnesium oxide, which the body can’t absorb and can have a laxative effect.

Magnesium glycinate tends to provide a high level of absorption. Even though magnesium chloride and magnesium lactate contain only 12% magnesium, they have better absorption than some of the others.

Magnesium-L-threonate is a newer type of magnesium supplement that is showing promise. It has the ability to penetrate the mitochondrial membrane.

You can also absorb certain types of magnesium through the skin. Taking regular baths or footbaths in Epsom salts can improve your magnesium status as Epsom salt is a type of magnesium (magnesium sulfate) that can be absorbed through the skin.

Magnesium oil (magnesium chloride) is also available for topical application.

Talk to your doctor about the right amount and type of magnesium for your needs. Sadly, many doctors are not taught anything about nutrition in medical school, and don’t know anything but the very minimum you need to stay alive, which is not enough for optimal health.

The amount of magnesium you take may depend on your symptoms how much calcium you are getting in your diet.  I recommend my patients get at least 420 mg a day, but you need more if you show symptoms of deficiency and need to bring your levels up.

[1] World Health Organization. “Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance.” Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009.
[2] Altura B, Altura B. “Magnesium: Forgotten Mineral in Cardiovascular Biology and Therogenesis.” In: New Perspectives in Magnesium Research and Health. London: Springer-Verlag; 2007:239-260.

The post The miracle mineral most men (and women) are missing appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Avoiding the wrong foods and eating the right nutritious foods nourish the heart, brain, prostate, and improve sexual health. This helps a man feel better and fight disease.

If you’re a woman who wants her man to be around for a while and be happy, you can achieve these goals by changing up some of his snack food. You can subtly change over from junk food and instead fill your pantry with these healthy snacks he’ll love.

And if you’re a man, I know you don’t like drastic change. But if you slowly make the switch to real, nourishing foods, they’ll change your taste buds away from chips, improve your performance and make you feel good.

Pistachios

Instead of salty snacks with chemicals and fake fats, put a bowl of pistachios within reach. This healthy nut is a natural remedy for erectile dysfunction and helps lower cholesterol. Plus, these nuts take some time to shell, so it slows down how fast one can eat them.

Walnuts

Concerned about his prostate health? Another nut worth putting in arm’s reach is walnuts. A study found that these little babies provide benefits in fighting prostate cancer. Walnuts, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, are also known for being some of the best mood-boosting foods.

Dark chocolate

Woman have been turning to chocolate as a natural mood booster for years, but now it is time to share the secret with men. Stay away from the sugary milk chocolate and opt for 60 to 70% cacao instead. Dark chocolate not only tastes good but it also provides an instant boost in concentration and mood. It improves blood flow to the brain, helping us feel more vibrant and energized. Just keep this one in moderation because a little goes a long way.

Smoked salmon

As a replacement for hot dogs or salami while watching the game, how about some salmon appetizers instead? You get the smoked decadence without the processed meat, which is one of the worst foods for men. Salmon is good for his heart and prostate. It also helps to decrease inflammation. Plus women come out looking like a rock star for making what is a relatively easy snack that seems gourmet.

Guacamole

Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats and fiber. This snack fills you up suppresses appetite, and has a positive effect on cholesterol balance. Plus you can chop up some tasty cherry tomatoes and onions to mix in. Tomatoes are high in lycopene and are one of the best foods for men over 40. Toss in some rinsed black beans for more fiber, protein, and further heart health benefits.

In addition to eating well and exercising, men benefit from managing hormone balance, having more sexual energy, and a better mood through herbs and nutrients that help. I’ll be talking more about those soon so be sure to keep reading!

The post Five healthy snacks your husband should love appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

1. Sex improves your relationship

It makes perfect sense that making love will help you feel closer and more connected to your partner. There are scientific reasons for this. When you have an orgasm there is an increase in the hormone oxytocin. This love hormone makes you feel bonded, empathetic, and closer to your partner.

2. Sex improves heart health

Having sex is not just good for your love life. It is good for your heart too. According to one study, men who have sex at least twice a week are 45% less likely to develop heart disease compared to men who have sex less frequently (once a month or less). Sexual intercourse is also linked with a lower blood pressure.

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3. Sex provides stress relief

Having sex causes your body to release chemicals that help you feel good, ease stress, and boost self-esteem. Stress can negatively affect your health in many ways and cause testosterone to dip, so sex makes a fun, natural stress reliever.

4. Sex helps with pain relief

The release of all those “feel good” hormones also reduces or blocks pain. Sex can help relieve headaches, back pain, leg pain, and arthritis. So next time your partner says, “Not tonight, I have a headache,” just show him or her this article.

5. Sex improves immunity

Having sex one to two times per week produces higher levels of the antibody immunoglobin A. This important antibody helps your body fight off harmful organisms, keeping you healthier.

6. Sex helps you sleep

Who cannot benefit from better sleep? There is a reason why men often drift off to sleep after sex. The “love hormone” oxytocin helps promote sleep, plus after doing the deed, the body releases another hormone called prolactin. Prolactin induces relaxation, helping you to fall asleep faster. Better sleep means you will be able to manage your stress better. Plus getting eight hours of sleep at night also helps with your testosterone production.

7. Sex boosts testosterone

One of the ways to naturally boost your testosterone level is to have sex. Having a healthy and normal testosterone level is good for your heart, bones, muscles, energy, and concentration.

8. Sex is a form of exercise

Sex can be a significant form of exercise for men, burning 4 calories per minute, boosting heart rate, and strengthening muscles. Sexual moves can help you maintain balance and flexibility. You can also exercise to improve your performance with sex exercises designed for men.

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9. Sex maintains length

Plus, having sex exercises your penis. Why is that important? Well, here’s something that you may not know… it’s the kind of exercise that helps maintain length, partly by frequently stretching out the tissue.

10. Sex improves prostate health

One of the best health benefits of having regular sex is in reducing the risk of prostate cancer and other prostate conditions such as prostatitis. In fact most men are surprised and pleased to learn that they can use sex as a treatment for prostatitis. Having sex flushes toxins out of the prostate.

11. Sex boosts libido

The more frequently you have sex, the more likely you are to want more.

If these health benefits of sex do not motivate you to get busy or you have lost interest in sex, there are a few health issues you need to check. Low libido or erectile dysfunction (ED) could be due to stress or psychological problems, it could indicate a relationship problem, or it could be an issue with hormone imbalance and even a vitamin deficiency. Experiencing ED could also be an early sign of heart disease.

Talk to your doctor about these issues so that you can get the right help and get back on track for having a healthy and enjoyable sex life. Things you can try at home are managing your stress, eating well, exercising regularly, and taking natural supplements that boost libido.

The post Eleven elite health benefits of sex for men appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The body is either unable or very limited in its manufacture of omega-3s, so you must get these fatty acids through diet or supplements. The three types of omega-3 fatty acids are EPA, DHA and ALA. EPA and DHA can be consumed from fatty fish. The best sources of ALA are foods like walnuts, flaxseed, hemp oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and fortified foods. Good choices for EPA and DHA include wild salmon, anchovies, herring, sardines, Pacific halibut, albacore tuna and trout.

Fish should be an important part of your diet, but it is important to know what to look for when shopping for seafood.

Eating fish is inevitably a part of a heart-healthy and prostate-friendly eating plan. Fish consumption is an important component of the Mediterranean diet, a healthy long-term diet and eating style that is good for men’s health. Nevertheless, there are several fish men should not eat. You should avoid certain types of seafood that are high in mercury and other contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These toxins have been found to cause cancer and health problems associated with the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system and endocrine system. Mercury in fish usually appears in the form of methylmercury, which can cause several health problems and increase your risk for heart attack.

Finding The Best Fish For Omega-3

Unfortunately, some fish retains mercury, pesticides and antibiotics. For the most part, it is a good idea to buy domestic seafood; less than 2 percent of imported seafood is inspected.

Salmon is a popular food high in omega-3s, but you have to know what to look for when shopping. Wild salmon is preferable to farmed for environmental and health reasons. The stocks of Atlantic salmon are so low that it is illegal to capture wild Atlantic salmon. Any fish labeled as “Atlantic salmon” is actually farmed fish. The very crowded salmon farming practices have negatively affected the wild fish population. Farmed salmon are subjected to diseases and parasites that require treatment with antibiotics and pesticides. Be aware that genetically engineered salmon may be on the way (it’s awaiting approval), so for all these reasons you should opt for wild Alaskan salmon when looking for dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Types of seafood you should avoid:

• Farmed salmon (choose wild Alaskan salmon).
• Imported shrimp (one of the dirtiest and most-contaminated foods — buy domestic).
• Atlantic flatfish such flounder, sole, and halibut (instead choose Pacific halibut).
• Atlantic bluefin tuna (high in mercury).
• Ahi tuna (high in mercury).
• Bigeye tuna (high in mercury).

When buying tuna, avoid Atlantic bluefin, ahi (yellowfin) and bigeye; they are high in mercury.  A healthier choice:  albacore tuna caught in the U.S. or in British Columbia, which has lower mercury levels. Canned albacore is listed as chunk white, so that is a lower-mercury canned tuna option.

Studies On Omega-3 And Prostate Cancer

A large body of research has established the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for prostate health. One of the best studies examining how omega-3s benefits prostates was published in 2009 by University of California at San Francisco researchers. They evaluated 466 men with aggressive prostate cancer and 478 healthy men. The men completed questionnaires about their daily food intake and were screened for a variant of a gene known to increase the risk for developing prostate cancer.

After analyzing the data, the researchers observed that men who ate dark fatty fish like salmon at least once a week had a 63 percent reduced risk for prostate cancer. Men who ate little or no fatty fish and had the gene variant were five times more likely to develop advanced prostate cancer. The researchers concluded that eating omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease inflammation in the prostate and impact the gene variant linked to prostate tumors.

A Harvard School of Public Health study also found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer who ate fish at least five times a week had a 48 percent lower risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to men who ate fish less than once per week. This research, the Physician’s Health Study, involved more than 20,000 men.

In July of last year, omega-3 made headlines because an omega-3 prostate cancer study allegedly linked omega-3 consumption to prostate cancer. But many prostate doctors and specialists analyzed the retrospective study and determined that the study was significantly flawed. The study did not consider known risk factors and did not show cause and effect, so experts still maintain that omega-3s are safe for men and can benefit prostate health.

Supplements For Prostate Health

If you are not a big fan of eating fish, you can still get the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements. Besides fighting prostate cancer, omega-3s offer other prostate health benefits. They can help with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH and with prostatitis. Studies show that men with BPH tend to have lower blood levels of omega-3s.

If you have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a very common occurrence as you age, you may want to look into supplements that shrink the prostate. Together with omega-3s, prostate supplements can help you maximize your prostate health.

Whether you chose to eat your omega-3 fats in fish or take them in supplement form, be a smart shopper. Look for purified fish oil supplements that offer high-quality fish oil. If you buy fish, look for wild species that are low in contaminants. Being a smart shopper helps you achieve your goal of better prostate and heart health while providing the best health benefit for your money.

Sources: 

1. Chavarro JE et al. A 22-y prospective study of fish intake in relation to prostate cancer incidence and mortality. — Am J Clin Nutr 2008 Nov; 88(5): 1297-303
2. Fradet V et al. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids, cyclooxygenase-2 genetic variation, and aggressive prostate cancer risk. — Clinical Cancer Research 2009; 15: 2559.
3. Hedelin M et al. Association of frequent consumption of fatty fish with prostate cancer risk is modified by COX-2 polymorphism. — Intl J Cancer 2007 Jan 15; 120(2): 398-405.

The post The oil that helps heart health and fights prostate cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Filled with antioxidants, this fruit can help improve your sex life, properly balance your cholesterol levels and help your heart, prostate and brain health, among its many other benefits. It is an excellent food for aging men and is considered one of the best for mature men.

The tangy, sweet pomegranate is tasty as a snack or sprinkled on salads and added to other dishes. You can get pomegranate juice year-round when fresh fruit is not available.

If you find it challenging to cut through the fruit’s thick, leathery rind, you can buy just the arils in stores. There are even pomegranate supplements if you just want the nutritional benefits of pomegranate but don’t want to consume the sugar that comes with the juice.

However you decide to consume it, just find a way to get some of this amazing fruit, which is one of the top foods for men’s health, into your diet.

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Here are 10 different pomegranate health benefits for men:

1. Helps erectile dysfunction

There is scientific evidence behind why pomegranates are a symbol of fertility. One study found that men who had mild to moderate erectile dysfunction experienced improvement after drinking pomegranate juice. Other studies on animals found the antioxidants in pomegranates improves erectile function over long-term use.

2. Supports healthy prostate cells

Many studies have shown that pomegranate extracts can slow the reproduction of abnormal cells and cause them to commit a type of cellular suicide, a process called apoptosis. The ellagitannins in pomegranates fight the growth of new blood vessels necessary for nourishing prostate tumors.

3. Slows PSA doubling

If you are watching your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level, you may be interested in the benefits of pomegranates. In studies, pomegranate juice has been shown to help PSA levels. Researchers gave men who were being treated with radiation or surgery, but had climbing PSA levels, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice each day. Before drinking the juice, the men’s average PSA level doubled every 15 months. By the end of the study, it took 54 months for the PSA level to double. Intake of the juice was also associated with a 17 percent increase in apoptosis, as well as a 12 percent decline in the spread of dangerous cells.

4. Helps arthritis patients

Studies on pomegranates have shown benefits for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. A 2012 study demonstrated that pomegranate juice helps to prevent damage to the cartilage in knee joints of animals with osteoarthritis. For rheumatoid arthritis patients, pomegranate extract reduces inflammation and joint damage. Another study found that pomegranate extract may help rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases by suppressing mast cells and basophils.

5. Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol

Adults with high blood pressure who drink 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice daily can lower their systolic blood pressure by up to 5 percent. Several studies also show that pomegranate juice is helpful in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels that can contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries.

6. Improves heart health

In addition to pomegranate’s benefits in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, many studies show other ways this fruit is good for your heart. Both pomegranate juice and extract can inhibit platelet activity, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients with coronary heart disease were able to improve stress-induced myocardial ischemia by drinking pomegranate juice every day for three months.

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7. Improves recovery from exercise

Drink pomegranate juice after your workouts. Research at the University of Texas at Austin shows that taking supplements of ellagitannins from pomegranate extract can significantly improve isometric strength within two to three days of strenuous workouts.

8. Helps brain health

The polyphenols in pomegranate juice just might offer some protection from Alzheimer’s disease, according to researchers at Loma Linda University. They fed sugar water to one group of mice and pomegranate juice to another. The mice that drank pomegranate juice learned tasks more quickly than the sugar water group and had about 50 percent less accumulation of a protein believed to play a significant role in developing Alzheimer’s disease.

9. Supports immunity

Experts say that daily consumption of pomegranate extracts or juice can support your immune system’s antioxidants and antimicrobial capacities.

10. Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes

Pomegranate seed oil is associated with improving insulin sensitivity, according to a study on animals.

Whether you prefer to eat it fresh, drink its juice or take a supplement, the pomegranate is a superfood that can help support your overall health. In addition to the 10 specific health benefits that pomegranate provides men, the fruit is also full of vitamins C, E and K, fiber, potassium, folate and niacin.

Sources:

1. Albrecht M, et al. 2004 Pomegranate extracts potently suppress proliferation, xenograft growth, and invasion of human prostate cancer cells. J Medic Food 2004; 7:274-83
2. Aviram M et al. Pomegranate juice flavonoids inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation and cardiovascular diseases: studies in atherosclerotic mice and in humans. Drugs Exp Clin Res 2002; 28(2-3): 49-62
3. Aviram M, Dornfeld L. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Atherosclerosis 2001 Sep; 158(1):195-98
4. Azadzoi KM et al. Oxidative stress in arteriogenic erectile dysfunction: prophylactic role of antioxidants. J Urol 2005; 174:386-93
5. Forest CP et al. Efficacy and safety of pomegranate juice on improvement of erectile dysfunction in male patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study. Intl J Impot Res 2007; doi: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901570
6. Fuhrman B et al. Pomegranate juice inhibits oxidized LDL uptake and cholesterol biosynthesis in macrophages. J Nutr Biochem 2005; 16:570-76
7. Gasmi J, Sanderson JT. Growth inhibitory, antiandrogenic, and pro-apoptotic effects of punicic acid in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. J Agric Food Chem 2010 Nov 10
8. Hadipour-Jahromy M, Mozaffari-Kermani R. Chondroprotective effects of pomegranate juice on monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis of the knee joint of mice. Phytotherapy Res 2010 Feb; 24(2): 182-85
9. Hartman RE et al. Pomegranate juice decreases amyloid load and improves behavior in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurobiol Dis 2006 Dec; 24(3): 506-15
10. Kaplan M et al. Pomegranate juice supplementation to atherosclerotic mice reduces macrophage lipid peroxidation, cellular cholesterol accumulation and development of atherosclerosis. J Nutr 2001; 131:2082-89
11. Khan N, et al. Pomegranate fruit extract inhibits prosurvival pathways in human A549 lung carcinoma cells and tumor growth in athymic nude mice. Carcinogenesis 2006 Aug 18
12. Mattiello T et al. Effects of pomegranate juice and extract polyphenols on platelet function. J Medicinal Med 2009; 12(2): 334-39 McFarlin BK et al. Pomegranate seed oil consumption during a period of high-fat feeding reduces weight gain and reduces type 2 diabetes risk in CD-1 mice. Br J Nutr 2008 de
13. Pantuck AJ, et al. Phase II study of pomegranate juice for men with rising prostate-specific antigen following surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12:4018-26
14. Reddy MK et al. Antioxidant, antimalarial and antimicrobial activities of tannin-rich fractions, ellagitannins and phenolic acids from Punica granatum L. Planta Medica 2007
15. Rettig MB, et al. Pomegranate extract inhibits androgen-independent prostate cancer growth through a nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent mechanism. Mol Cancer Therapeutics 2008; 7:2662 71
16. Rosenblat M et al. Anti-oxidative effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption by diabetic patients on serum and on macrophages. Atherosclerosis 2006; 187:363-71
17. Rosenblat M et al. Consumption of polyphenolic-rich beverages (mostly pomegranate and black currant juices) by healthy subjects for a short term increased serum antioxidant status, and the serum’s ability to attenuate macrophage cholesterol accumulation. Food Function 2010; 1:99-109
18. Sartippour MR et al. Ellagitannin-rich pomegranate extract inhibits angiogenesis in prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. Intl J Oncol 2008; 32:475-80
19. Seeram NP et al. In vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant activities of punicalagin, ellagic acid and a total pomegranate tannin extract are enhanced in combination with other polyphenols as found in pomegranate juice. J Nutr Biochem 2005 Jun; 16(6):360-67.
20. Shukla M et al. Consumption of hydrolysable tannins-rich pomegranate extract suppresses inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrition 2008; 24:733-4
21. Sumner MD et al. Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary heart disease. Am J Cardiol 2005; 96: 810-14
22. Trombold JR et al. Ellagitannin consumption improves strength recovery 2-3 d after eccentric exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42(3): 493-98

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While having a healthy testosterone level is important for men, what men never seem to worry about is another very important hormone: estrogen. Estrogen (estradiol) is not something men and many doctors discuss, but your estrogen level is just as important as your testosterone level.

Men produce estrogen through an enzyme called aromatase, which transforms T into a type of estrogen called estradiol. This hormone, let’s call it E, is made in the brain, liver, muscle and fat cells. In younger men, the healthy balance between T and E is maintained; but as men age, other factors such as diet, lifestyle, chemicals, environment, obesity and stress can upset this balance.

Having your T and E levels out of balance can put your health and even your life at risk. If your E levels are too high (we refer to this as estrogen dominance) in relation to your T, you are at risk for cancer, heart disease and changes to breast tissue (such as male breast enlargement). If you have too little E, you also have an increased risk for osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer. These imbalances can be caused by too much or too little aromatase. Also, if you have too little T, you won’t have enough to convert into E, leaving you deficient in both hormones.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association measured the blood level of estradiol in 501 men with chronic heart failure. The men with the lowest levels of estradiol were 317 percent more likely to die in the three years of the study compared to men with a balanced estradiol level. Men who had the highest estradiol levels were more likely to die than the men with a balanced level by 133 percent. Your optimal heart health relies on hormone levels that are just right.

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Balancing Hormones Naturally

Getting your testosterone and estrogen balanced naturally involves first having your doctor measure your serum levels through a blood test. Most experts agree that a healthy balance is a testosterone level in the range of 20-25 pg/ml (200-900pg/nl) with an estradiol level in the 21.8-30.11 pg/ml range.

Once you know your T and E levels, you can look at the role of aromatase. Aromatase takes your testosterone to make estradiol; so suppressing aromatase, in some cases, can help maintain healthy levels of estradiol and is one of the ways to increase testosterone naturally.  Supplements are one natural way to boost testosterone levels.

Studies have shown that these supplements help keep estrogen levels in check:

• Chrysin (aromatase inhibitor)
• Zinc
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• DIM
• Quercetin
• Saw palmetto
• Stinging nettle
• Pygeum africanum

Healthy habits that can help balance your hormones include maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and diet. Obesity contributes to increased estrogen production since estradiol is made in fat cells.

Diabetic men are at an increased risk for higher estrogen levels as well. Take steps to protect your liver by cutting back on drinking: The liver removes excess estrogen. Avoid synthetic hormones in meat and dairy, and limit your exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors like bisphenol A (BPA). It is also important to manage stress in your life. The stress hormone cortisol can block testosterone production.

Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement program, and ask about both testosterone and estrogen/estradiol. Too much E could be robbing you of your T, affecting your health and the way you feel. Just as you want to seek a healthy balance in life, the same goes for your hormones.

The post It’s not just low T: What estrogen dominance means for men appeared first on Easy Health Options®.