Prostate Health

Prostate One Sheet

The prostate, a walnut sized gland that sits just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, is a gland surrounded by waste. The urethra runs right through the center of the prostate, carrying liquid waste from the body, and it lies in close proximity to solid excreta as well. It is no wonder that after many decades of exposure to our major toxin elimination pathways, that even in healthy men, the prostate can get a little inflamed. Mild prostatitis or even temporary irritation can produce discomfort when urinating or create the urge to urinate more frequently. Good preventative measures can keep this from becoming a bigger issue later on. Lifestyle, of course, plays a role, especially when considering the toxins or irritants that we expose ourselves to. Oxidative stress (rapid oxidation of toxins) on cells triggers inflammation throughout our body, but can result in specific tissues, like the prostate, having a response. And herbs can be helpful in soothing inflammation, restoring tissues to an intact, healthy state.
This is a partial list of diet and lifestyle factors that can keep a prostate health or restore an inflamed prostate to a normal state.
1. Unprocessed and raw foods have sufficient insoluble dietary fiber like inulin to sweep away toxins from the colon and rectum before they have a chance to go through re-uptake. Re-uptake of oxidative byproducts can trigger inflammation in gastrointestinal (GI) tract cells and neighboring organs as well.
2. Similarly, minimizing red meat and dairy, which tend to reside longer in the GI tract, is helpful during a period of inflammation or irritation.
3. Mustard family vegetables (Brassicaceae), like cabbage, Brussel sprout and kale (mmmm…) contain sulfur glycosides which not only give them the classic bitter taste but stimulate digestion. If you really want to bump things up, go for some horseradish, which has thiocyanate glycosides. (Don’t go too crazy with these, as excessive sulfur glycosides can cause heartburn.) Again, this helps move along waste so it does not have the chance to reabsorb.
4. In general, omega-3 fatty acids help sooth inflammation and should be a part of a healthy diet anyway. But since hemp, flax seeds, chia, salmon and walnuts are all pretty tasty, why not make them the guest of honor at your next meal?
5. There are a few nutritional supplements that should be added to the diet for a fellow taking good care of his prostate. Vitamin D, zinc and selenium are usually found in quality multivitamins that have been formulated for men. Read the labels to make sure they are there, and if they are not, you can add them in separately. That said, just taking a single vitamin in the morning will probably make you more likely to do it, so it may be worth buying the fancy ones.
6. Staying well hydrated will ultimately make your urination experience more satisfying, but mild diuretics are helpful. Burdock and dandelion root are not only good diuretics, but they also act as liver cleansers too, stimulating more efficient break down of toxins so that they don’t make it to the gut.
7. Probably one of the best-known prostate support herbs is Saw Palmetto berries. Eaten as a berry or taken in capsule form, they work best with selenium and lycopene (from tomatoes, say) to assist the uptake process. Again, good hydration is important when taking herbs so that the bladder is well flushed, and the herbs can travel to the region. Try “Vast Difference” to keep the prostate flushed and reduce inflammation.