Prostate Supplements

A common health problem among men, as they age, concerns their prostate gland. Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death among men in the United States. The good news is that there are prostate supplements that can help to prevent prostate supplements or provide relief from symptoms that occur with prostate conditions such as enlargement.

Prostate Problems

Prostate problems are often the result of changes in hormone levels, particularly testosterone, can affect the size of the prostate gland. In a man’s body, testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone triggers an increase in the number of prostate cells by causing them to divide. This increase causes the prostate to become enlarged.

DHT levels in men with enlarged prostates have been found to be as much as five times the normal levels in non-enlarged prostates. If the conversion of testosterone to DHT can be prevented, it is possible that enlargement of the prostate gland can be prevented or reversed if enlargement has already occurred.

Nutritional and Supplemental Support

Although genetics play an important role in prostate health, nutrition and lifestyle are also important in preventing prostate enlargement. Prostate supplements can also be used for prostate health.

Nutritionally, doctors recommend the reduction or even elimination of red meats and saturated fats and increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables to assist in keeping the prostate healthy.

Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol that is known to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT. It is a plant sterol that is found in wheat germ, rice bran, flax seed, and corn oil and pumpkin seeds. Increasing the consumption of beta-sitosterol is a good way to add a prostate supplement to the diet.

Diet alone does not typically supply enough beta-sitosterol. However, there are prostate supplements that contain beta-sitosterol in amounts that are conducive to heart health.

These supplements contain a mixture of sterols from plant sources along with other healthy ingredients such as vitamins and minerals that support a healthy prostate and lifestyle.

On the Horizon

There are many tests being conducted on other supplements that are thought to have a positive effect on the prostate gland. Currently, tomatoes, particularly when cooked with olive oil, are being studied as men whose diets are high in tomatoes and olive oil has a lower occurrence of prostate cancer than men who don’t.

Vitamins D, E, and selenium are also being studied for their relationship to prostate cancer. All of the supplements that are being studied are also part of a nutritious diet. Until research tests are conclusive, men should continue to follow the advice of doctors and eat a healthy diet that is low in fats and red meats and high in fruits and vegetables.

Adding supplements that contain the plant sterol beta-sitosterol while watching for new results on other supplements are also important steps in preventing prostate enlargement and possibly prostate cancer.