Prostatitis, common in men of all ages, is the acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland. The usual cause is a bacterial infection from another area of the body that has invaded the prostate. Prostatitis can block the flow or urine out of the bladder resulting in urinary retention. This can increase susceptibility of the bladder to infection by increasing the amount of bacteria in the urine. In addition to those already mentioned, symptoms that accompany acute prostatitis are pain between the scrotum and rectum, fever, and blood or pus in the urine. Chronic prostatitis may result in impotence.
Benign hypertrophy of the prostate occurs in more than 50% of all men over forty years of age. It is the result of gradual enlargement of the prostate. When the prostate becomes too large, it presses against the urethral canal and causes obstruction of the bladder outlet. If untreated, infections of the bladder, kidneys, and blood (from contaminated urine) can occur. Diagnosis is usually made by a digital rectal exam although ultrasound is sometimes used.
Cancer of the prostate is the third most common malignancy in men, following cancers of the lung and colon. It rarely occurs in men under sixty years of age. Symptoms of early cancer of the prostate are similar to symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate. They are: blood in the urine, difficultly in starting and stopping urination, increasing urinary frequency at night, and a burning sensation during urination. A history of venereal disease or repeated prostatic infections has been linked to developing cancer of the prostate. Cancer of the prostate changes the way the prostate feels, when a physician examines it rectally, from a rubbery consistency to a wood-like firmness. Confirmation is done by a biopsy taken from the prostate.
Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment
1. Avoid refined foods (e.g., white sugar products), processed foods (e.g., white flour products), and excess fat in the diet as these may contribute to the development of cancer of the prostate as well. Spicy and acidic foods bother some men with prostate problems and should be eaten with caution.
2. Avoid socially accepted poisons such as coffee, black tea, and alcohol. These have been linked to cancer of the prostate. Caffeine in any form (including chocolate or soft drinks) cause the smooth muscle of the prostate to constrict, making it more difficult to urinate. Antihistamines and decongestants do the same and should be used only in small amounts or not at all. Alcohol reduces zinc and vitamin B6 levels, which deficiencies contribute to BPH.
3. Increase your consumption of nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, fruits, fresh juice, dried beans, peas, and brown rice. Raw pumpkin seeds eaten daily are especially helpful for almost all prostate troubles because they are rich in zinc, magnesium, and essential fatty acids needed by the prostate. Brewer’s yeast is another good source of zinc. Zinc is known to be deficient in the soil of today’s farms. All food should be free from pesticides and chemical which increase DHT in the prostate.
4. Increase your fluid intake of distilled, spring, or reverse osmosis water to a minimum of two to three quarts daily to stimulate urine flow, prevent urinary retention, and reduce your risk of bladder and kidney infections.
5. Increase your activity level. Exercise such as walking is recommended. Exercise at a level that increases your heart rate 10 beats above its resting rate in order to improve circulation to the organs of the body. Do this for at least 20 minutes three times weekly. Avoid exercises such as bicycle riding that puts unnecessary pressure on the area of the prostate. (See “Obesity.”)
6. Prostate enlargement may be caused by an excessive conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone or “DHT” in the gland. DHT causes cells to multiply excessively, eventually causing the prostate to swell. Why this excessive conversion occurs is not yet known, but a deficiency of zinc and essential fatty acids is thought to play a role. Supplements of natural progesterone can inhibite high DHT levels. Natural progesterone can be administered topically or sublingually in vitamin E oil. A pharmaceutical drug is also available to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Herbs (such as saw palmetto and Pygeum africanum) are also available which have been found to have impressive clinical results without the side effects of medicines.
7. Reduce your cholesterol levels if they are high. (See “Cholesterol.”) Cholesterol metabolites are damaging, carcinogenic and accumulate in the enlarged prostate. A high fiber diet can lower cholesterol. Oat bran, guar gum, pectin, and psyllium husk are all good sources of fiber. (See “Constipation.”)
8. Check your blood for prostate-specific antigen, a test that is often elevated in prostate disorders, as well as hormone levels such as testosterone, DHT, estradiol, and prolactin. Estradiol inhibits the enzymes that metabolize DHT while prolactin increases DHT production from testosterone. DHEA is an adrenal hormone precursor that is often deficient in degenerative diseases, aging, and chronic stress, and should also be checked. (See “Stress.”)
9. Sexual intercourse should be avoided during prostatitis as this may further irritate the prostate and delay recovery. Vasectomies have been linked to prostate disorders and increase the risk of prostate cancer three-fold.
10. Consider hydrotherapy by immersing your lower abdominal and pelvic area in hot water while simultaneously immersing the feet in cold water for approximately 3-10 minutes. Then, sit in cold water while immersing the feet in hot water for an equal amount of time. This primarily relaxes the opening of the urinary passageway. For acute inflammation, a lukewarm sitz bath is recommend for 15 minutes to 2 hours. Always cover yourself adequately during hydrotherapy.
11. Check your food allergies. (See “Allergy—Foods.”) The allergy evaluation should include screening for foods. At the very least, you can begin eliminating some of the foods that you tend to eat repetitively. Eliminate products containing food coloring, dyes, MSG, and aspartame as well.
12. Heart rate variability testing, an assessment of heart rhythm, can reveal if an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system exists. The ANS controls non-conscious bodily functions such as hormone production. An imbalance in the ANS can now be treated with non-cognitive biofeedback (i.e., recycling of heart rate variations).
13. Consider evaluating your body burden level of environmental pollutants such as lead, aluminum, and cadmium. (See “Chelation Therapy.”) All heavy metals act as free radicals in the body and be a possible source of damage to the prostate. Mercury should also be evaluated if you have amalgam fillings in your teeth. If elevated, heavy metal detoxification therapy is indicated.
14. Recommended supplements include antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E. B-complex, especially B6, is essential for hormone metabolism. Unsaturated fatty acids obtained from cold pressed flax seed oil or unrefined pumpkin seed oil are important for preventing the formation of DHT. Magnesium and zinc are necessary to improve prostate function. Zinc deficiency has been linked to prostate deficiency and should be taken in high doses of 60-80 mg daily for one to two weeks before maintaining at 30 mg daily. Like vitamin B6, zinc is critical in many aspects of hormonal metabolism. They both reduce DHT levels and inhibit prolactin. Raw glandular prostate helps to normalize prostate function. The amino acids glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid are also useful for prostate conditions.
15. Herbs known to be of benefit for inflammation of the prostate include goldenseal, gravel root, horsetail, hydrangea root, marshmallow, and sea holly. Herbs to be considered for their diuretic effects are buchu, corn silk, juniper berries, parsley, slippery elm, and uva ursi. Ginseng is a general tonic male reproductive organs. Saw palmetto and Pygeum africanum have been found to be potent against prostate enlargement and appear to inhibit DHT.
16. Homeopathics recommended for prostate conditions are: Chimaphila (when having sharp pains from the bladder downward), Clematis (if testicles and scrotum are also involved), Conium Mac (if gland is hardened and urination is difficult), Pareira Brava (if urethra is inflamed), Picricum Acidum (for early cases and weakness after emissions), Populus (for enlargement of the prostate), Pulsatilla (when infection of the prostate is present), Sabal Serrulata (if urinary frequency, urgency, and pain are present), Staphisagria (if prostatitis is the result of self-abuse or sexual weakness is present), and Thuja (for past history of gonorrhea). Sequoia Gigantea, a gemmotherapy, is an excellent tonic for prostatic function in males as well.
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