What is good for prostate health?

Three years ago, I had a PSA count of 4.4 that had been slowly rising. The endocrinologist sent me to a urologist/male fertility specialist. Since I was then 60, male fertility was not the issue. Both doctors were concerned about the slow rise in PSA.  The urologist informed me that on my next annual appointment, if the PSA count did not stop increasing he would put me on drugs. I was also told that the PSA count could not be reduced once it had risen to any level, that the drugs would work to stop any further increase.  I have had 3 annual blood tests since then and the results were PSA’s of: 3.8 in 2013; 3.4 in 2014; and 2.8 this week.  Apparently, PSA counts can be reduced and done without using drugs.

Prostate Cancer is the 2nd most common form of cancer in men after melanoma. It is also a very slow-moving cancer, slow to develop and slow to spread. Doctors generally diagnose this with a blood test to measure the PSA level “prostate specific antigen”, a protein produced in the prostate gland which can be a marker for prostate cancer.  However, there can be other things that might cause the PSA count to rise – prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (enlargement of the prostate).  There is no evidence that prostatitis or BPH leads to prostate cancer, but it is possible for a man to have one or both of these conditions and to develop prostate cancer as well.

This is all confusing. If you are over 50, and have symptoms of a prostate problem — weak urine flow; needing to urinate more frequently especially during nighttime; dribbling urine; difficulty in starting the urine flow; or the feeling that the bladder has not entirely emptied plus a PSA count approaching 4 — your doctor may want to start you on a prescription, typically finasteride and dutasteride in order to drive down the PSA count.

However, prescription meds all have their bad side-effects. Some of these in this case of finasteride would not be that pleasant for a male wanting to enjoy a normal relationship with his significant other or have a life. Read more about the 25+ side effects on Drugs.com

Therefore, many men search for alternative methods of reducing the prostate inflammation, PSA count, improving urine flow and delaying, or entirely avoiding prescriptions. These suggestions are not for curing prostate cancer or any medical condition, just what you can do to improve good prostate health:

· Reduce the fat content of your diet. (Countries with lower fat consumption such as Japan have fewer prostate problems)

· Increase your diet with more fruits and vegetables. (No-brainer)

· Eat a lot of tomatoes — you are after the lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant.

· Pomegranates — are being analyzed for their therapeutic use on the prostate. It is a superfood and potent antioxidant.

· Saw Palmetto is the number one natural remedy used for prostate enlargement in the U.S.

· The use of the African Plum Tree in order to reduce frequent urination problems is so extensive worldwide that this tree has become an endangered species.

· Exercise!!! Increasing the blood flow also helps that body part to be more functional.

In addition, if you happen to be on male hormone replacement therapy (testosterone), consider reducing the dosage for a while because the testosterone can directly cause the prostate to enlarge. As we grow older, PSA counts will eventually go higher if you are a U.S. male eating a typical diet. The statistics are that 1 in 7 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. However the good news is that few of us will die from it (American Cancer Society). As the average age of our population increases, prostate problems are going to increase.

Another thing we can do is just ignore all of this and go exploring for brain coral on a tropical reef and let whatever happens, happen.

 

Even more interesting than the large brain coral is a close-up picture of its surface. There is a lot you can see when you take your time and know where to look.