8 Foods to Shrink Prostate Naturally | How to Treat Prostate Enlargement Naturally at Home
Looking for how to treat prostate enlargement naturally at home?Follow this article as we take you through some home remedies.
Enlarged
prostate or benign prostatic enlargement happens when cells in the prostate
abnormally divide and multiply, causing the organ to increase in size.
Benign prostatic enlargement or BPE is also commonly called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
An enlarged prostate can cause frustrating and uncomfortable symptoms, most commonly urinary and seksual difficulties.
These problems may decrease an individual's overall quality of life. However, BPH is not associated with cancer and usually not a serious health threat.
There are
several treatment options, including a wide range of natural remedies and
lifestyle changes, which may help ease symptoms of BPH.
RELATED: What Causes Enlarged Prostate? Is an Enlarged Prostate Serious?
Risks for an enlarged prostate
Potential
risk factors of an enlarged prostate include:
1.age
2.diabetes
3.obesity
4.family
history of BPH
5.heart
disease
6.Asian
heritage or descent
7.Most men
have a 50 percent chance of having BPH by the age of 60 years old, and a 90
percent chance by the age of 85 years old.
How to Treat Prostate Enlargement Naturally at Home
Home remedies for an enlarged prostate include:
1. PYGEUM
(African Plum Extract)
Pygeum has
also been shown to contain a wide range of fatty acids, alcohols, and sterols
such as beta-sitosterol that have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect
on the urogenital tract.
A few
studies indicate that consuming between 100 and 200 mg of pygeum extract daily
or splitting this into two 50 mg doses twice daily may help reduce BPH
symptoms.
2. SAW
PALMETTO
Saw
palmetto is one the most studied and popular herbal supplements used to treat
BPH.
Several
studies have linked saw palmetto to reduced BPH symptoms. This is most likely
because it inhibits the production of testosterone and reduces the size of the
inner lining of the prostate.
However,
other studies have not been able to establish whether saw palmetto supplement
use has any impact on BPH symptoms compared to a placebo.
3.
ZILL-SHEN PILL (ZSP)
The
Zi-Shen Pill (ZSP) contains a mixture of three plants, including Chinese
cinnamon.
The
formula comes from ancient Chinese medicine dating back to the 13th century.
Researchers have shown that rats given the Zi-Shen formula have reduced rates
of BPH.
More
research is needed on humans to determine whether it is effective.
4.
CERNILTON
Some
people use herbal supplements made from rye-grass pollen to treat BPH symptoms.
These troublesome symptoms may include being unable to empty the bladder fully
and the need to urination frequently at nighttime.
Under the
brand name Cernilton, rye-grass pollen is included in the formula of several
registered pharmaceutical supplements targeted at easing symptoms of BPH.
Despite
its popularity, Cernilton has never been shown to impact BPH symptoms in any
large-scale scientific studies. However, some indicate it may help reduce the
overall size of the prostate.
Further
research is needed to establish if it works or not.
5.
ORBIGNYA SPECIOSA (babassu)
Babassu or
Orbignya speciosa is a species of palm tree native to Brazil. Several
indigenous Brazilian tribes and communities use the dried or ground kernels
from the tree to treat urogenital symptoms and conditions.
Oil from
babassu nuts has also been shown to inhibit the production of testosterone,
while other parts of the nut contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant properties.
6.
STINGING NETTLE
Stinging
nettle contains similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds as pygeum
and saw palmetto.
Nettle
root is sometimes used in combination with saw palmetto. More research is
needed, however, to determine whether it is effective.
READ MORE: 8 Benefits of Stinging Nettle (& How to Use It in Tea, Tonics, Haircare & More)
7.
CUCURBITA PEPO (pumpkin seed)
Pumpkin
seeds contain beta-sitosterol, a compound similar to cholesterol and found in
some plants. Preliminary studies have shown that beta-sitosterol may improve
urine flow and reduce the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination.
Some
studies recommend taking 10 g of pumpkin seed extract daily for BPH symptoms.
READ MORE: Top 5 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds for Erectile Dysfunction
8.
LYCOPENE
Lycopene
is a naturally occurring pigment found in many fruits and vegetables. One study
found that it may help slow the progression of BPH.
Tomatoes
are the richest source of lycopene available to most people. But a few other
fruits and vegetables contain lower levels of this antioxidant.
Usually,
the deeper pink or red the fruit or vegetable is in color, the higher its
lycopene content.
ALSO READ: 8 Health Benefits of Eating Raw Tomatoes
Other sources of lycopene include:
papaya
pink
grapefruit
watermelon
guava
carrots
red bell
peppers
apricots
red
cabbage
9. ZINC
Zinc
tablets on a table that may be a natural remedy for enlarged prostate
Zinc
supplements may help to reduce urinary symptoms that are linked to an enlarged
prostate.
Chronic
zinc deficiencies have been shown to potentially increase the likelihood of
developing BPH. Taking zinc supplements, or increasing dietary intake of zinc
may help reduce urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
Zinc is
found in poultry, seafood, and several types of seeds and nuts, such as sesame
and pumpkin.
10. GREEN
TEA
Green tea
has a lot of antioxidants called catechins that have been shown to enhance the
immune system and potentially slow the progression of prostate cancer.
It is
important to keep in mind that green tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can
stimulate the bladder and cause a sudden urge to urinate, potentially worsening
BPH symptoms.
Lifestyle tips for managing BPH
Lifestyle
tips that may help someone manage the symptoms of an enlarged prostate include
the following:
Attempt to
urinate at least once before leaving home to avoid urinary leakage or other
incidents in public that can be very stressful and embarrassing.
Double
void by trying to urinate again a few minutes after urinating the first time,
to drain the bladder as much as possible during bathroom visits.
Try not to
drink fluids in the 2 hours before bedtime to avoid going to sleep with a full
bladder.
Try to
stay hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water daily.
Try
maintaining a healthy body weight as much as possible.
Exercise
regularly and as often as possible.
Try not to
drink too much at one time.
Try to
reduce or avoid stress to reduce the urge for urination.
Avoid or
limit products that cause dehydration, such as cold medications and
decongestants
Use
absorbent urinary pads or pants to absorb urine leaks and decrease wetness and
discomfort.
Use
urinary sheaths, which are condom-shaped and fit over the penis to drain urine
into a small bag strapped to the leg.
Use
urethral massage, after urinating, by gently pressing the fingers upwards from
the base of the scrotum to try to squeeze out any urine left in the urethra and
prevent any leakage later.
What are
the causes of an enlarged prostate?
a senior
man discusses with a doctor
BPH may be
related to hormonal changes that occur with age.
In a vast
majority of cases, BPH is idiopathic, meaning it has no known cause. Doctors
and researchers are still trying to figure out exactly how and why some
people's prostate cells start to divide abnormally.
But most
cases of BPH impact men of at least 40 years of age, most commonly those 50
years of age and older. So most studies suggest that BPH is related to hormonal
changes, specifically those that occur naturally with age.
As men
grow older, their hormone levels change, especially levels of testosterone,
estrogen, and a by-product of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
A few studies
have shown that changes in the balance of these hormones may trigger some
prostate cells to abnormally grow and divide.
FOODS THAT MAY BE BENEFICIAL TO BPH INCLUDE:
Fiber-rich
foods, such as whole grains, legumes, beans, and dark, leafy greens
fruits and
vegetables rich in antioxidants, usually dark red, yellow, and orange varieties
foods rich
in zinc, such as eggs, most types of seafood, and nuts
products
that contain phytoestrogens, such as soy foods, chickpeas, alfalfa, and fava
beans
foods rich
in omega-3 fatty acids, including most fish and some nuts and seeds, such as
hemp and chia
Foods
people with BPH, or those at risk of developing it, should avoid or limit
include:
1.caffeine
2.artificial
sweeteners
3.alcohol
4.nicotine
5.carbonated
drinks
6.starchy,
refined foods
7.red meat
Making
dietary changes may help manage or prevent an enlarged prostate and any
resulting symptoms.
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