Men, do you have the common problem of prostate enlargement? As a result, you have to urinate frequently during the day or night and may feel like your bladder never empties.
This condition is all too common for men over the age of 45. Medically the conditions is referred to as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). It affects approximately 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60, and 90 percent of men at age 85. In other words, most men have to deal with BPH. Fortunately, though there are great natural approaches to reducing your likelihood of having BPH symptoms as well as to reduce symptoms for those already experiencing it.
Most conventional doctors wait until a man has moderate to severe symptoms before addressing BPH. There are several different medications and surgeries available. Of course they all come with the risk of several potential adverse effects. I recommend my patients follow the natural protocols I developed and avoid drugs and surgeries except for more extreme cases.
There are a number of reasons why men develop BPH. Genetics can be a factor but most men do not have BPH due to inherited reasons. Instead, diet, weight, and hormone balance are the key factors that need to be addressed.
The two main hormones implicated in BPH are dihydrotestosterone and estrogen. Prostate gland tissue contains the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT. The hormone DHT binds to androgen receptors in the prostate and stimulates growth. Men with BPH have much higher levels of plasma DHT concentration compared to healthy men their age. Furthermore, higher levels of DHT increases the enzymatic activity of 5-alpha-reductase, which may be related to BPH.
Estrogen is another hormone that influences prostate growth. This hormone is a normal part of the male hormonal system, and most of it is produced in fat, brain, bone, and other tissues. The production of estrogen is primarily controlled by the enzyme known as aromatase, which converts the hormone androstenedione (synthesized by the testicles and adrenal glands) into the estrogen known as estradiol. Aromatase also converts testosterone from fat and muscle cells into estradiol. Increased activity of aromatase seems to be a causative factor in BPH. Men tend to accumulate fat as they age, which leads to increased aromatase activity as well as decreased testosterone and elevated estrogen levels. The relative excess of estrogen in aging men compared to their testosterone (estrogen/androgen ratio) influences the later phases of BPH and prostate cancer.
An increasing number of studies demonstrate a link between diet and BPH. The following are associated with lower risk or improved symptoms of BPH:
Do note that studies are mixed on the effect of alcohol on BPH.
Studies have shown that the risk of BPH is higher from a diet that has:
There are several studies suggesting that exercise may protect against BPH and urinary symptoms by reducing body size, decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity, and reducing levels of inflammation. In one review of studies, physical activity was strongly associated with reduced nocturia (nighttime urination). Men who are active for one hour or more per week are 34 percent less likely to report severe nocturia compared to men who reported no physical activity. I recommend a minimum of 30 minutes (preferably 60 minutes) moderate daily exercise.
I will soon make Part 2 of this article available. It will include the most well studied nutritional supplements and their precise dosing for the treatment of BPH and associated symptoms.
For more information on the diagnosis and holistic treatment of BPH see my new book Healing The Prostate (Hay House). CLICK HERE
Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com
