3 Steps to Improve Prostate Health by Dr. Axe

3 Steps to Improve Prostate Health

The prostate gland can become inflamed or enlarged as men get older. The prostate will then compress the urethra leading to difficulty with urination that could lead to bladder infections or bladder stones.The most common form of an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra in men. Hyperplasia refers to the added cell growth that begins in younger men and results in voiding problems later. 
The prostate grows rapidly during adolescence and young adulthood, and then this growth slows and continues throughout life.
The American Urological Association reports that by the age of 60, over fifty percent of men will have BPH and by age 85 ninety percent of men will have this condition.  
BPH can be caused by a variety of circumstances. Hormonal changes (such as excess estrogen), deteriorating blood vessels as well as a zinc deficiency have all been studied as possible causes for BPH. Infection, stress and diet influence zinc levels, which are greatly reduced in those with prostate problems. 

Not all problems with the prostate gland are due to BPH though. Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland which is also very common.
The symptoms of prostatitis, prostatic hyperplasia or BPH are caused by increased pressure from the bladder because the prostate has enlarged which restricts urinary flow.  This will result in a variety of symptoms such as: dribbling after urination, a difficulty to start urination, the more frequent feeling you need to urinate and sometimes pain. 
The good news is if you follow the prostate diet and take prostate supplements you can overcome almost any prostate issue naturally.

Top Foods for Prostate Diet

Organic foods – It is best to keep all chemicals and pesticides out of your system as much as possible.
Tomatoes – Tomatoes provide lycopene which is critical for prostate health. Lycopene is especially potent in cooked tomato products.
Pumpkin seeds – These seeds are full of zinc which is necessary for prostate health.
Wild-caught fish – Fish are high in omega-3 fats which can help reduce inflammation of the prostate.
Green tea – Green tea helps promote detoxification and prostate health.Foods to Avoid
Hydrogenated fats – These processed fats have been shown to increase inflammation.  Stay away from all vegetable oil, corn oil, and soybeen oil.
Sugar – Worsens inflammation and disrupts hormone balance.
Processed foods. Processed foods are full of chemicals that can disrupt hormone balance.
Alcohol – Will increase inflammation and irritate the prostate gland.
Caffeine – Can irritate the prostate gland and cause dehydration.

Top 5 Prostate Health Supplements

Here are the top supplements to improve prostate health:
1. Saw Palmetto (320 mg daily)
Can improve symptoms of prostate enlargement.  Start off with 320mg 3x daily for 4 months then drop down to 320mg 1x daily.
2. Zinc (50 mg daily)
Zinc is necessary for prostate health.
3. Pumpkin seed oil (8-10 grams or 1 tablespoon daily)
Can help with the relief of symptoms.
4. Fish Oil (1,000mg daily)
The EPA/DHA in fish oil helps reduce inflammation.
5. Nettle root (120 mg 2x daily)
Can help lessen symptoms.
Bonus Remedy
Vitamin D3 has also been shown to support a healthy prostate.

Essential Oils for Prostate Health

Many men who have essential oils have reported the positive effects they have had on their prostate health.  The top essential oils for prostate health include rosemary, frankincense and myrrh.  Rosemary oil reduces DHT (dihyroxytestosterone) which improves prostate health, frankincense reduces inflammation and myrrh has anti-pathogenic properties.
Take 6 total drops of oil mix with 1 tsp of coconut oil and rub on areas below genitals 2x daily.  Also, taking them internally for 6 weeks is recommended or if just taking frankincense rubbing 2 drops on the roof of the mouth.