A Brief Overview Of Prostate Prevention

Here we go again folks. Researchers are now suggesting that lycopene, abundantly found in tomatoes, can now lower the risk of getting prostate cancer. These modern studies on prostate cancer have concluded that tomato-based products may greatly help in protecting men from prostate cancer.

The study shows that the more tomatoes in a persons diet, the more the possibility that he will not develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. A natural prostate remedy for optimal health should also include a blend of vitamins and minerals supplements for good prostate health.

The next question I am sure you will ask is - why are tomatoes this important in preventing prostate cancer. Well, it has been discovered that the lycopene found in tomatoes is an antioxidant which in turn is a kind of chemical agent which helps to prevent or reverse the cellular process of oxidation.

This works on preventing prostate cancer because it has been proven that too much cellular oxidation can be dangerous to one's health. This is mainly because oxidation produces free radicals, which increase one's chances of developing cancer tissues. So, by its antioxidant nature, lycopene (and ultimately tomatoes) help to destroy the free radicals and thereby prevent prostate cancer and other forms of cancer for that matter.

Other ways is to look for food and vitamins that contain lots of antioxidant like Vitamin E. Such vitamins will go a long way in helping you to kill the free radicals in your body.

REALITY CHECK!

Well, in theory, this whole eating tomatoes to keep prostate cancer at bay sounds like a good idea, think back on all the other ideas that have been proven false.

Coffee Causes Cancer
Coffee Doesn't Cause Cancer
Don't Eat Eggs They Raise Your Cholesterol
It's Okay to Have a Couple Drinks a Week
Oatmeal Lowers Your Cholesterol
Oatmeal Doesn't Lower Your Cholesterol

We've heard for years that getting a suntan substantially raises the risk of skin cancer, and we should work to stay out of the sun. Recent research however suggests that at least some sun exposure can actually be beneficial to our overall health and well-being.

The problem is that many researchers are now focused not on good science but on getting media attention. This desire for attention results in theory's being published and reported to the general public without adequate research or proof. The whole idea of eating more tomato-based products to increase your lycopene could probably be the result of this media attention drive.

Still, on the possible chance that this may be at least somewhat beneficial and the fact that it won't harm you, it doesn't hurt to add another serving or so of tomato products to your diet. So go ahead and squeeze that ketchup onto your plate… at least for now, it's good for you.

There are sixteen different supplements that you can add to your prostate health diet. But let start with the ones you should start using right away. The first one you should start using is beta-sitosterol.

Beta-sitosterol

Beta-sitosterol is the main active ingredient in the herbs saw palmetto and pygeum. Both of these herbs do not have enough beta-sitosterol to be of real value in giving you prostate health. Now, beta-sitosterol, which can be obtained from sugar cane pulp, can be purchased in capsule doses of 300 - 600 mg, which gives you an effective dose to eliminate your enlarged prostate. Pygeum can only provide around 30 mg and you need upwards of 600 mg daily.

Go to the Internet to find a good beta - sitosterol price and quantity.

Flax Seed or Fish Oil

The nutrient to use for the best prostate health diet is flaxseed oil. Flax seed oil contains more omega-3 than omega-6 and so it makes it a good source of omega-3. The more omega-6 use, from olive oil and other vegetables oils, the more prone you will be to prostate cancer. This is not the case with omega-3 oil and this has been verified through clinical studies.

Omega-3 protects the prostates cells and has anti-inflammatory properties. Using fish oil can also be a better choice than flax seed oil since your body digests it better.

Use 1 - 2 grams of flax seed or fish oil per day.

Soy Isoflavones

Soy Isoflavones have been shown in clinical studies to have good effects on your prostate and should be added to your prostate health diet. These isoflavones are flavones and contain no photoestrogen so the have no estrogen effects in the body.

The active ingredients in the isoflavones are genestein and daidzein. Buy a brand that has up to 40 mg of isoflavones Use this quantity daily.

Ionic Minerals

The prostate needs minerals. Adding these to your prostate health diet is critical. You cannot have good prostate health without plenty of minerals and your regular diet cannot supply what you need.

Use the Ionic Minerals, which are liquids, but not the colloidal minerals. Ionic Minerals are absorbed immediately into your blood stream soon after they enter your mouth.

In addition to these ionic minerals, you need to make sure you get plenty of zinc and selenium. The prostate has more zinc than any other part of the body. So take 15 - 20 mg per day and not to exceed 40 mg.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another critical vitamin that you want to make sure you get plenty of. If you are out in the sun a lot, then you will not need to supplement with this vitamin. Otherwise, use up to 800 IU of this vitamin.

Vitamin E

This is the next most important Vitamin you should supplement with. Use up to 400 mg per day of the natural mixed tocopherols. Clinical studies have shown that vitamin E can reduce and suppress prostate cancer cells.

There you have it. Use, beta sitosterol, isoflavones, minerals, vitamin D, and vitamin E in your prostate health diet and see improvements in your prostate symptoms and health.

It is interesting to note that the aging dog (like his master) is also prone to prostatic enlargement, but (unlike his master) does not often develop retention of urine. However, due to the bulging upwards of the enlarged prostate the dog’s rectum is compressed. This engenders a feeling of continuous fullness in the rectum and induces straining. The prostates of eunuchs are small and underdeveloped, and enlargement of the prostate is unknown.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases to affect men beyond the middle age. The prevalence goes up with age, and thus the total number of patients is increasing as a result of aging population. A majority of these people suffer gradual progression of symptoms and the concomitant discomfort, and require either medical or surgical treatment. The growth and development of the prostate is under the influence of male hormone “testosterone”.

Rather surprisingly, there is no close correlation between the size of the prostate and the extent of outflow obstruction. However, the larger the prostate, the greater is the risk of BPH complications such as acute urinary retention and the need for surgery.
BPH is usually a slowly progressive condition. An average increase in the prostate is 1-2 cm per year. BPH is the most common condition affecting the prostate accounting for over 80 per cent of prostate disease. The defined risk factor for BPH is age. Clinical BPH seems to run in families.

In the early stages of the disease, the patient complains of hesitancy, a reduced stream and incomplete bladder emptying and then frequency, urgency and nocturia. Later on, prolonged micturition, acute urinary retention, urge incontinence, etc, can have a negative effect on the quality of life and may be associated with sexual dysfunction like erectile dysfunction and disorders of ejaculation.

The treatment of BPH can be with the help of drugs or by going in for surgery. Some of the drugs used are Finasteride, Duatasteride, Terazosin, Alfuzosin and Tamsulosin. Adverse side- effects of these drugs can be erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, reduced ejaculation, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, postural hypotention, etc.

Here we go again folks. Researchers are now suggesting that lycopene, abundantly found in tomatoes, can now lower the risk of getting prostate cancer. These modern studies on prostate cancer have concluded that tomato-based products may greatly help in protecting men from prostate cancer.

The study shows that the more tomatoes in a persons diet, the more the possibility that he will not develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. A natural prostate remedy for optimal health should also include a blend of vitamins and minerals supplements for good prostate health.

The next question I am sure you will ask is - why are tomatoes this important in preventing prostate cancer. Well, it has been discovered that the lycopene found in tomatoes is an antioxidant which in turn is a kind of chemical agent which helps to prevent or reverse the cellular process of oxidation.

This works on preventing prostate cancer because it has been proven that too much cellular oxidation can be dangerous to one's health. This is mainly because oxidation produces free radicals, which increase one's chances of developing cancer tissues. So, by its antioxidant nature, lycopene (and ultimately tomatoes) help to destroy the free radicals and thereby prevent prostate cancer and other forms of cancer for that matter.

Other ways is to look for food and vitamins that contain lots of antioxidant like Vitamin E. Such vitamins will go a long way in helping you to kill the free radicals in your body.

REALITY CHECK!

Well, in theory, this whole eating tomatoes to keep prostate cancer at bay sounds like a good idea, think back on all the other ideas that have been proven false.

Coffee Causes Cancer
Coffee Doesn't Cause Cancer
Don't Eat Eggs They Raise Your Cholesterol
It's Okay to Have a Couple Drinks a Week
Oatmeal Lowers Your Cholesterol
Oatmeal Doesn't Lower Your Cholesterol

We've heard for years that getting a suntan substantially raises the risk of skin cancer, and we should work to stay out of the sun. Recent research however suggests that at least some sun exposure can actually be beneficial to our overall health and well-being.

The problem is that many researchers are now focused not on good science but on getting media attention. This desire for attention results in theory's being published and reported to the general public without adequate research or proof. The whole idea of eating more tomato-based products to increase your lycopene could probably be the result of this media attention drive.

Still, on the possible chance that this may be at least somewhat beneficial and the fact that it won't harm you, it doesn't hurt to add another serving or so of tomato products to your diet. So go ahead and squeeze that ketchup onto your plate… at least for now, it's good for you.

I recently attended a meeting of physicians, surgeons, research scientists and concerned individuals for the Pacific Prostate Cancer Conference. Representatives of Oregon Health Sciences University spoke about their state-of-the-art prostate cancer research department. Every man reading this article can benefit from the advances made in prevention, detection and treatment of this disease.

Let’s begin with a brief review of our anatomy. The prostate gland is located around the bottom portion of a man's bladder and is positioned behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. The prostate's primary function is to produce most of the fluids in semen. Tiny ducts within the prostate convey this fluid to the urethra, the channel that drains urine from the bladder. This fluid is then released through the penis during ejaculation.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. It's estimated that by age 50, up to 1 in 4 men have some cancerous cells in the prostate gland. By age 80, the ratio increases to 1 in 2. So, your risk of prostate cancer increases as you age. The average age at diagnosis is 72.

Prostate cancer also is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men. Yet unlike other cancers, you're more likely to die with prostate cancer than you are to die from it. On average, an American man has about a 30 percent risk of having prostate cancer in his lifetime, but only about a 3 percent risk of dying of the disease.

The risk of prostate cancer is dramatically higher among blacks, intermediate among whites, and lowest among native Japanese. However, this increase in risk may be due to factors other than those associated with race. Studies have shown a link between levels of testosterone and prostate cancer risk, with black men having the highest levels.

Symptoms of prostate cancer include frequent urination, inability to urinate, blood in urine or semen, or painful ejaculation. Frequent low back pain, burning urination or a weak urine flow are also very common.

There is another condition of the prostate known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH. This is basically an enlarged prostate with no cancerous lesions. Symptoms for this condition are similar in many respects to prostate cancer. For example, Prostate-Specific Antigen or PSA levels can become elevated in both BPH and prostatic cancer.

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are the three most common approaches to treatment of prostate cancer. The selection of which method is used depends largely upon the extent of the disease. With the surgical removal of the prostate, there is an increased risk of osteoporosis similar to that of menopause in women. This problem is most often handled by using hormone replacement therapy postoperatively. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements have also been shown to be helpful in reducing this type of bone loss.

Natural measures for the prevention of prostate cancer include chemoprevention, changes in diet and lifestyle, and hormonal prevention. Chemoprevention is the use of specific natural or man-made drugs, vitamins, or other agents in order to reverse, suppress, or prevent cancer growth. Several agents, including difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), isoflavonoids, selenium, vitamins D and E, and lycopene have shown potential benefit according to studies. Further tests are needed to confirm this.

The herb, saw palmetto, was once thought to be the best natural supplement for prevention of prostate cancer. Recent studies lead researchers to believe saw palmetto to be much less powerful in its preventive effect.

A diet high in fat, especially animal fat, may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. So, reducing red meat, cheese and other dairy products, salad dressings, and gravies is a good step. Increasing the dietary intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer in some studies. Adding soy products such as tofu and soy milk can be helpful in regulating hormonal balance. Exercise, even just plain old walking, has been shown to reduce the incidence of prostate and of practically all other cancers.

Since prostate cancer has a link to testosterone levels, studies are underway to discover the role of certain drugs, such as finasteride, that reduce the amount of male hormone as preventive agents for prostate cancer.

If you think you have experienced any of the symptoms listed in this article, check with your health care provider. Early detection of prostate cancer is very important in managing its damaging effects.

If you would like more information on any topic discussed in this column or to suggest ideas for an article, you can contact me my website.

The Three most common diseases of the prostate are prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, an enlarged prostate), and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), each of which affects the gland differently. Symptoms of prostate problems, with the exception of prostate cancer, which causes none in the early stages when treatment is most likely to result in a cure, include:

1. A frequent urge to urinate
2. A weak urinary stream
3. Difficulty starting urination
4. Nighttime trips to the bathroom
5. Interruption of the urine
6. Blood in the urine
7. Pain or burning sensation when urinating

The most serious prostate disease is prostate cancer. It is one of the most common cancers in men and a leading cause of cancer death, second only to lung cancer. If detected early, when it is still confined to the prostate gland, the chances of successful treatment are high, with few or only short-term effects. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and remains confined to the prostate gland, where it usually does not cause serious harm. If it spreads outside the gland, treatment becomes more complicated and the success rate falls.

Prostate cancer, if unchecked, can be fatal. Thankfully, advances in diagnosis and treatment, combined with greater public awareness, have significantly improved outcomes of men diagnosed with this insidious disease. Treatment Option for the prostate cancer:

1. Radiation - The cancer cell are killed by high-powered X-rays

2. Radioactive seed implants - Implants placed in the prostate gland deliver a high dose of radiation to kill the cancer cells

3. Hormone therapy - Drugs are administered to stop the body from producing male sex hormones, which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells

4. Radical prostatectomy - Surgical removal of the prostate gland

5. Chemotherapy - Chemicals are used to destroy rapidly growing cells

6. Cryotherapy - Tissue is frozen to destroy cells

7. Watchful Waiting - No medical treatment is provided but the status of the cancer is monitored closely to see if it spreads

A prostate massage is a great way to maintain a healthy prostate or to treat a swollen, painful prostate gland. If you suffer from prostatitis, then you could use a special prostate massage technique to reduce the pain quickly. You must massage your prostate daily or every two days to achieve best results.

During the massage you simply put your finger into your rectum and put gentle pressure on your prostate to drain the stored fluid which is causing your problems. It sounds easy but is not. In fact, chances are that your fingers are too short or that you are not that flexible anymore to do the massage yourself.

In this case you can use a special prostate massager. You put it on a chair, sit on it and use your own body weight to perform the massage.

Do not get discouraged by the imagination of a prostate massage. It is very useful, healthy and brings immediate relief when done correctly. It is not abnormal to do it and when you ask your doctor, he will advise you to do it frequently.

Prostatitis is usually treated with medication but drugs are not effective when the access is clogged. In this case the drugs can not reach the affected area. This is where the prostate massage comes into play. If done correctly, the massage can drain the fluid which is stuck in your gland.

The procedure may sound odd and painful but it is not. Many report that the massage itself can be quite pleasurable. The chances are low that you can hurt yourself. Cut your finger nails and massage with gentle pressure and it will not do any harm. When your prostate is highly infected then you should not do a massage as it can spread the bacteria.

It also helps to take a high dosage of vitamin C a day before you do the massage, about 1000 mg. This will make your urine more acid and help to neutralize the fluid. You should always urinate after the massage to wash out the fluid. Drink one or two glasses of water 30-60 minutes before you do the massage.

Milking the prostate that way does not any harm to your prostate. It may burn a little when the fluid leaks but it goes away quickly and is not really painful.

When you do the massage correctly, you should be able to feel the fluid moving. The burning sensation is also a sign that the fluid is on the way and the massage works. With more practise you will get better results. You will get results of a reduced pain within a few minutes.

Use disposable gloves for your massage. You can get them in every pharmacy. There is no special preparation needed but an ejaculation before you do the massage is helpful.

After two or three massages you should experience a clear improvement already. Many report that they could reduce the size of their prostate successfully over time.