The ONE FOOD That Shrinks an Enlarged Prostate

Dr. Eric Berg 06/04/2024

Natural remedies for enlarged prostate - that's what we're talking about today. If you're a guy over 50, chances are you've got this walnut-sized gland causing some trouble.

Frequent bathroom trips, weak urine stream, maybe even some discomfort down there. Sound familiar? Well, before you reach for those prescription meds with all their lovely side effects, hear me out.

Mother Nature's got your back, and she's serving up some pretty impressive remedies that could help shrink that prostate and get you back to feeling like yourself again. Intrigued? Thought so.

Alright, let's get into some natural options that could really help out. We're talking about saw palmetto, stinging nettle, and a lesser-known gem called pygeum (I'll fill you in on what that is).

These have been used for ages to keep the prostate healthy, and now modern research backs them up too. So if you're considering alternatives to prescription meds, stick around. Your bladder will definitely appreciate it.

Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly called an enlarged prostate, is something many men deal with as they get older. The prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system, sits around the urethra and can grow over time.

This growth can squeeze the urethra and mess with urine flow.

One of the main symptoms of BPH is nocturia, or the frequent need to urinate at night. This happens because the enlarged prostate makes it difficult for the bladder to empty completely, leading to more frequent urination.

Testosterone plays a role in the development of BPH. With the help of an enzyme, testosterone converts into a more powerful form called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is involved in prostate enlargement.

As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decline, but the prostate continues to grow, leading to BPH symptoms.

Lycopene: A Natural Enzyme Inhibitor

Found in tomatoes and many red fruits and vegetables, lycopene is a potent antioxidant known to support prostate health. Studies indicate that consuming lycopene may reduce the chances of developing prostate enlargement or cancer by up to 21%.

Lycopene acts as a natural enzyme inhibitor, stopping testosterone from turning into DHT. Since DHT plays a role in prostate enlargement, reducing its levels with lycopene can help slow down or even prevent BPH.

Best Sources of Lycopene

While lycopene is found in various fruits and vegetables, including watermelon, carrots, and grapefruit, tomatoes are the best dietary source. Cooked tomatoes, such as in tomato sauce or tomato paste, are particularly rich in lycopene.

You can also find lycopene in several other foods.

Guava
Papaya
Red bell peppers
Pink grapefruit

Cooking Tips for Lycopene Absorption

Cooking tomatoes can really boost the amount of lycopene your body gets. When you heat them, it makes this helpful compound more available and easier for your system to use.

When cooking with tomatoes, consider adding a little olive oil. Lycopene is a fat-soluble compound, so consuming it with a healthy fat like olive oil can help your body extract more lycopene from the tomatoes.

Try to eat tomato-based dishes at least twice a week for better prostate health. Some tasty choices include pasta with marinara sauce or a fresh tomato and basil salad.

Tomato soup
Tomato sauce on whole-grain pasta
Homemade pizza with tomato sauce
Gazpacho (cold tomato soup)

Zinc and Resveratrol for Prostate Health

Besides lycopene, two other important compounds for prostate health are zinc and resveratrol. Zinc is a vital mineral essential for keeping the prostate in good shape, while resveratrol, an antioxidant powerhouse found in grapes, berries, and red wine also helps.

Foods Rich in Zinc

You can get zinc from a lot of different foods, such as:

Oysters
Beef
Crab
Lobster
Pork
Baked beans
Pumpkin seeds

Adding zinc-rich foods to your meals can help you get enough of this vital mineral, which is great for prostate health.

Benefits of Resveratrol

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities found in resveratrol are believed to offer protection against potential damage to your prostate as well as lessen your chances of getting diagnosed with prostate cancer.

There’s even some research pointing towards its ability to decelerate how quickly these harmful cells multiply.

Some of the best foods packed with resveratrol are:

Red grapes
Red wine
Blueberries
Cranberries
Peanuts

While red wine is a well-known source of resveratrol, it's important to consume alcohol in moderation. If you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can still obtain resveratrol from grapes and berries.

The Impact of Dairy on Prostate Health

While dairy products can be a good source of calcium and other essential nutrients, they may not be the best choice for men with BPH or those looking to maintain optimal prostate health.

Milk and other dairy products contain certain growth hormones that can potentially enlarge the prostate and worsen urinary symptoms associated with BPH.

If you're concerned about your prostate health, it may be wise to limit your intake of dairy products or opt for non-dairy alternatives.

Alternatives to Dairy

You don't have to stick with dairy to get essential nutrients. Options like rice milk and flaxseed beverages offer similar benefits but come without potential risks to prostate health.

Almond milk
Coconut milk
Soy milk
Oat milk
Hemp milk

If you're looking to support your general health, consider plant-based milks. These beverages frequently contain added calcium as well as essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

Herbal Remedies for BPH

Changing what you eat isn't the only way to manage BPH symptoms; various herbal treatments can also play a role.

People have used these herbs for years as a natural method of improving prostate health and reducing the discomfort caused by an enlarged prostate.

Stinging Nettle Benefits

For many people facing BPH issues, stinging nettle serves as an effective herbal remedy. Its roots hold special compounds known to decrease inflammation in the prostate and aid better urine passage.

Some research suggests that stinging nettle can ease problems like frequent urination, a weak urine stream, and not fully emptying the bladder. It might also gradually shrink the prostate gland.

Saw Palmetto Uses

Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) is another widely used herbal treatment for BPH. Derived from the berries of the saw palmetto plant, this herb has been shown to help reduce prostate enlargement and improve urinary symptoms.

Saw palmetto works by inhibiting the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, which is involved in prostate growth. By reducing DHT levels, saw palmetto may help to slow down or prevent the progression of BPH.

Rye Grass Pollen Extract Efficacy

Many researchers are looking into rye grass pollen extract as a potential treatment for BPH symptoms. They've found it might help manage the urinary troubles often linked to an enlarged prostate.

A study in Clinical Therapeutics revealed that men with BPH who took rye grass pollen extract saw a noticeable improvement in urinary symptoms and quality of life compared to those on a placebo.

Participants had fewer nighttime bathroom trips, better urine flow, and less leftover urine in their bladders.

Though more studies are needed to grasp exactly how rye grass pollen extract helps with BPH, early research hints that it could be a useful part of natural treatments for prostate enlargement.

Lifestyle Changes to Manage BPH

Besides natural remedies and changes to your diet, tweaking some habits can help you handle BPH symptoms better. Adding regular workouts and making smart food choices really support prostate health and lessen the effects of an enlarged prostate.

Exercise Routines for Prostate Health

Staying active can really help improve how well you pee and lessen the symptoms of BPH. Certain exercises, especially those targeting your prostate gland, could make a big difference.

Kegel exercises: These exercises target the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and prostate. Strengthening these muscles can help improve urinary control and reduce symptoms of BPH.
Aerobic exercises: Activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling can help maintain a healthy weight, reduce inflammation, and improve overall circulation, all of which can benefit prostate health.

Dietary Adjustments

Changing what you eat can help keep your prostate healthy and ease BPH symptoms. Here are some important dietary tips to consider:

Increasing fruit and vegetable intake: A prostate diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in antioxidants like lycopene, can help protect the prostate from damage and inflammation.
Limiting processed foods: Processed foods, especially those high in saturated and trans fats, can contribute to inflammation in the body and may worsen BPH symptoms.
Staying hydrated: Drinking adequate water throughout the day can help flush out the bladder and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, which can exacerbate BPH symptoms.
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol: Both caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder and worsen urinary symptoms, so it's best to limit or avoid these substances if you have BPH.

The Role of Prescription Medications

Managing BPH symptoms naturally or through lifestyle tweaks can work well for many people. However, there are cases where prescription drugs become necessary.

Understanding the role of these medicines—and weighing their pros and cons—is crucial when deciding on treatment options for an enlarged prostate.

Common Prescription Medications

There are a few prescription medications that doctors often use to manage BPH. These include different classes of drugs, each with its own way of helping patients.

Alpha-blockers: These medications, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) and alfuzosin (Uroxatral), work by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Medications like finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) block the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which can help shrink the prostate and reduce BPH symptoms over time.
Combination therapy: In some cases, a combination of an alpha-blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor may be prescribed to maximize symptom relief and reduce the risk of complications.

Treating BPH with these drugs is often effective; however, you may notice unwanted side effects like decreased libido and dizziness. Some people also report having trouble with erectile dysfunction.

Weighing Natural vs. Prescription Treatments

When deciding between natural remedies and prescription medications for treating BPH, it's important to think about your specific situation. Make sure to talk with a healthcare professional.

Natural remedies might work well for men with mild or moderate symptoms, but others may need prescription medications.

It's worth noting that the top-selling medication for BPH can reduce prostate enlargement by about 23%, but it comes with potential side effects such as decreased libido, increased risk of prostate cancer, and a syndrome with various side effects.

On the other hand, natural remedies like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, and dietary changes may provide symptom relief without the risk of severe side effects.

However, the effectiveness of these natural approaches may vary from person to person, and they may not be suitable for everyone.

Your choice to go with either natural remedies or prescription medications for BPH needs careful thought. Talk it over with your doctor, who can evaluate what's best for you by weighing the benefits against any risks.

Conclusion

So, there you have it - a whirlwind tour of some of the best natural remedies for enlarged prostate. From saw palmetto to stinging nettle, these plant-based powerhouses offer a gentler approach to managing those pesky prostate symptoms.

And let's not forget about the lifestyle changes - a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management can work wonders for your overall prostate health.

But here's the thing: these natural remedies aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one guy might not work for another. It's all about finding the right combination of remedies that jive with your unique body and lifestyle.

So, don't be afraid to experiment a little, and always keep your doctor in the loop.

At the end of the day, taking charge of your prostate health is all about being proactive. Don't wait until things get really uncomfortable to start exploring your options.

Give these natural remedies for enlarged prostate a shot, and see how they work for you. Your prostate (and your quality of life) will thank you for it.