Written by: AnnieWall
In the last few years, many doctors seem to have gone on what can only be described as a witch hunt for prostate disease. The final outcome is that many thousands of men have ended up having unnecessary biopsies. What are they looking for? They are looking for prostate cancer as many doctors assume that an increased level of PSA is proof of prostate cancer. This is not true. Prostate disease is a money spinner for many doctors.
The PSA test can at best “indicate” cancer, and doctors are, in general, just scaring their patients with results which may not necessarily indicate prostate cancer. An elevated PSA test can also indicate a bacterial infection such as UTI, an inflamed prostate or Benign Prostate Enlargement (BHP) also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
It would be better if doctors educated themselves more about prostate disease before they asked for a biopsy. A biopsy can on occasion do more harm than good, and even cause a serious infection and permanent inflammation of the prostate.
If your doctor says that your PSA test may indicate cancer, ask him for an Age-Specific PSA reference range test. This is a new test which is much more accurate. It indicates the PSA level according to your age. A man’s PSA level tends to increase naturally with age and this is why this test is more accurate.
What Can I Do to Maintain a Healthy Prostate?
Let’s think of this in the term of Diabetes type 2. Just like with Diabetes type 2, you can help to maintain and support good prostate health. Diet is one of the most important influencing factors, and as you age, there are certain foods which you should add to your diet.
1) Any kind of red or blue berry is packed with antioxidants. Instead of starting your day with a fried breakfast, it would be better to start the day with a big bowl of multi-colored berries. Dairy has no negative effect on the prostate despite what some online sites claim. A good idea would be to eat a bowl of berries together with a natural low sugar yogurt.
2) Cutting down on red meat is something else you should consider. All disease stems from inflammation, and most meats, unless they are organic, contain inflammatory compounds such as additives. The problem is that the body doesn’t know what to do with them, and starts to store them. They build up in our glands, and as you know, the prostate is a gland. Instead of meat, try adding plenty of cold-water fish to your diet.
3) Cut down on sugar. Sugar is hidden in our food and can also lead to inflammation of the prostate.
4) Alcohol may not necessarily lead to prostate disease. However, wines and beers containing sulfites can cause health problems. They are even linked to UTI, bladder and kidney infections.
Best Supplements for Prostate Health
Saw Palmetto
The Saw Palmetto supplement is based on an extract of the berries from the palm Serenoa repens. In Spain, this is the first line of defense against prostate disease and is always prescribed by the national health service in the country. It has been proven to reduce the level of PSA in the blood and even reduce the size of the prostate. Together with the right diet, it is one of the best supplements to use. The best thing about Saw palmetto is that unlike conventional treatments, it has no side effects at all.
As it has no side effects and is stored by the body, it is safe to take two capsules or tablets per day should your PSA test indicate a higher level of PSA. Saw palmetto is also an excellent preventive treatment for prostate health and seems to lower the risk of UTI’s in men.
Pros of this product:
Fast acting
No Side Effects
Good Availability
Cons of this product:
You must buy a high strength one from a quality brand
Pumpkin Seed Oil Capsules
Pumpkin seed oil is a dark oil which is rich in antioxidants. As a matter of fact, it contains a particular compound which scientists are becoming increasingly interested in. The compound is called a sterol, and there are many different kinds. All plants which are naturally grown produce sterols. But, our modern day farming methods often eliminate sterols from our fruit and vegetables. One of the best ways to ensure that we get enough sterols is to add a supplement to our diet.
Cooking with pumpkin seed oil will not work as heat destroys all of the active compounds in the oil. Using it as a salad oil is a good idea, but you will need a high dosage for it to be effective. It would be better to take a supplement.
Pros of this product:
Easy to source
Has added health benefits
Can safely be taken with other supplements and conventional treatments
Cons of this product:
Can be a large capsule to swallow for some people
Zinc as a Supplement
When we age, our bodies find it harder to extract some micro minerals from food. Zinc is one of those microminerals which is linked to prostate health. Also, zinc is found in a limited amount of foods. Unless you eat large quantities of oysters, peanuts and sunflowers seeds, you are not very likely to have enough zinc in your diet.
Zinc aids the production of enzymes and probiotics plus is crucial for the urinary tract and our reproductive system. Scientists thought that we did not need a lot of this micromineral but, in fact, a male would need an astonishing 9.5 mg per day. Poor immunity along with frequent infections are signs of a lack of zinc.
Almost 100 percent of men who have prostate disease have a low level of zinc. In Europe, this micromineral is screened for at the same time as the PSA test is carried out, and this is why it has become available on prescription.
Pros of this product:
Inexpensive
No serious side effects
Boosts the immune system
Cons of this product:
You must take it every day for the rest of your life
Always buy from a quality manufacturer
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