Contents
Good prostate health is essential for all men. Here’s a guide on how to keep your prostate healthy and avoid any problems.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
Prostate health is an important issue for men of all ages. The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system and it is located just in front of the rectum. The main function of the prostate is to produce semen, which transports sperm during ejaculation. The prostate also helps to control the flow of urine.
Prostate problems are fairly common in men over the age of 50 and they can cause a number of urinary symptoms such as hesitancy, frequency, urgency, weak stream, and difficulty starting or stopping urination. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men over the age 50 and it is important to be aware of the symptoms and risk factors for this disease.
There are a number of things that men can do to promote good prostate health. A healthy diet and regular exercise are important for overall health and they can also help to reduce the risk of developing prostate problems. Additionally, avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption as these can also contribute to poor prostate health. Regular medical checkups are also recommended so that any potential problems can be detected early on.
The prostate and its functions
The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system. It is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate produces a fluid that becomes part of semen.
The prostate goes through two main growth periods during a man’s life. The first begins at puberty and continues until around age 25. At this time, the prostate doubles in size. The second growth period usually starts around age 40 and continues indefinitely. However, the rate of growth slows during this time.
The prostate continues to grow throughout life, but this benign (noncancerous) growth does not usually cause problems. However, as the prostate gland enlarges, it can press against the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body). This pressure can cause urinary symptoms such as hesitancy (difficulty starting urination), decreased force in the stream of urine, dribbling after urination, and an increased need to urinate both day and night. These symptoms usually develop slowly over months or years.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men worldwide. In the United States, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, accounting for about one in every seven cases. The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) estimate for the number of new cases of prostate cancer in 2020 is 191,930. The ACS’s estimate for the number of deaths from prostate cancer in 2020 is 33,330.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate gland enlargement, is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder in men. It produces seminal fluid, which helps transport sperm during ejaculation.
With age, the cells of the prostate begin to grow uncontrollably, causing the gland to enlarge. This can compress or obstruct the urethra—the tube that drains urine from the bladder—leading to urinary problems such as difficulty urinating, weak stream, hesitancy, dribbling, urgency and frequency. BPH is very common in older men. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 50 percent of men over age 60 have BPH, and it becomes more common with each passing decade.
Prostate cancer may cause similar urinary symptoms as BPH, so it’s important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. If you have BPH, there are several treatments available that can relieve your symptoms and help you urinate more easily.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate. It can be caused by an infection, an injury, or an autoimmune reaction. Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. Chronic prostatitis can last for months or years.
Acute prostatitis is the most common type of prostatitis. It is usually caused by an infection. The symptoms of acute prostatitis include:
-Fever
-Chills
-Body aches
-Urinary frequency (having to urinate more often)
-Urinary urgency (a strong need to urinate)
– Difficulty urinating (dribbling or hesitant stream)
– Painful urination (dysuria)
– cloudy urine or blood in the urine
Diet and prostate health
There is no one answer to the question of what men can do to protect themselves from prostate cancer. However, some studies suggest that diet may play a role in prostate health.
There are a few things that men can do to help reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer:
-Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
-Eat a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables. Some studies have shown that men who eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
-Limit consumption of animal fats. Animal fats, such as those found in red meat and dairy products, have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. Men who consume a lot of animal fat may want to try replacing some of it with vegetable oil or other healthy fats.
-Avoid processed meats. Processed meats, such as ham and bacon, have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Exercise and prostate health
exercise is important for overall health, it also can have a significant impact on prostate health. According to the Harvard Health Letter, “Regular exercise may be one of our most powerful tools for preventing and managing prostate problems.”
Exercise has a number of benefits for prostate health, including:
-Reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer
-Helping to prevent the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
-Improving urinary function in men with BPH
-Lowering the risk of recurrence after treatment for prostate cancer
The best exercise for prostate health is aerobic exercise — activities that get your heart rate up and make you sweat. Examples include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and tennis. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week.
Supplements for prostate health
There are many different supplements that are marketed for prostate health. Some of these supplements are supported by scientific evidence, while others are not.
The most effective supplement for prostate health is saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is a plant extract that has been shown to improve urinary symptoms and reduce the size of the prostate in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Other supplements that have been studied for prostate health include beta-sitosterol, lycopene, and selenium. Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol that has been shown to improve urinary symptoms in men with BPH. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. It has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Selenium is a mineral that has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so it is important to choose a product from a reputable manufacturer. Look for products that have been certified by an independent organization such as the US Pharmacopeia (USP) or ConsumerLab.com.
Stress and prostate health
While there is no definitive answer to how stress affects the prostate, it is generally believed that chronic stress can lead to an increase in inflammation throughout the body, which can in turn contribute to the development of prostate cancer. In addition, stress can also weaken the immune system, making it less able to fight off infection and disease.
While there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, there are several things that men can do to lower their risk. In addition to managing stress levels, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise are both important in maintaining good prostate health. Eating a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats may also help to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Conclusion
There are many things that you can do to ensure good prostate health. Some of the most important include:
-Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat and high in fiber.
-Exercising regularly.
-Getting enough sleep.
-Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
-Having regular checkups with your doctor.
