Prostate Problems

Prostate Problems
by Judy Cobb

The prostate gland is the source of troubles for many men. The prostate gland is a secondary sex gland found only in males. This small dough-nut shaped gland encircles the urethra at the base of the bladder. The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder. The function of the prostate is to provide the alkaline fluid that makes up a part of the semen.

Prostate Problems
Some of the more common health problems relating to the prostate include: prostatitis, benign hypertrophy of the prostate, and cancer. Common symptoms of these problems include difficulty urinating, burning or pain during urination, and reduced urine flow. The flow of urine reduces as the prostate swells and puts pressure on the urethra.
Acute prostatitis is fairly common in men of all ages. It is the inflammation of the prostate gland. Symptoms of acute prostatitis include problems with the flow of urine, burning urination, pain between the scrotum and rectum, fever, and blood or pus in the urine. Usually this condition starts with a bacterial infection elsewhere in the body that migrates to the prostate. When the infection settles into the prostate and the prostate begins to swell and put pressure on the urethra, the flow of urine is slowed and can often back up. This causes the bladder to distend, become tender, and provides an excellent breeding place for further bacterial infections. Left long enough the infection can spread to the kidneys and do damage.

For bacterial infection: take Silver Shield (1 tsp x 3 times a day)

Four Winds Nutrition highly recommends this combination of products

	P-X
	Prostate support. It reduces inflammation and helps to clear sedimentation and infection. It also helps the kidneys and has been used for urinary infections and other problems including water retention and kidney stones. For a severe prostate issue take 3 caps 3 times a day

and

Equolibrium

Besides helping with BPH, equol may also have benefits in reducing prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).
It may also reduce the risk of prostate cancer (malignant neoplasms or carcinoma of the prostate).

Take 1 capsule in the morning and 1 at bed time

add

	Silver Shield
	If bacterial infection. Kills bacteria, viruses, mold, and other pathogens on contact! It usually takes 2-6 minutes for silver to destroy 99.9% of these pathogens. Tasteless, it is safe to take Nature’s Sunshine Silver Shield, every day, either for prevention or to treat an infection of some sort. Take 1 tsp 3 times a day

Chronic Prostatitis

In chronic prostatitis the symptoms can evolve to include: low back ache, frequent burning urination, and impotence. Benign hypertrophy of the prostate occurs when the prostate becomes enlarged over a long period of time. Approximately one third of all men over fifty years of age experience benign hypertrophy. The symptoms are the same as acute prostatitis. The results can be the same as well. While benign hypertrophy is non-cancerous, kidney damage can result from the pressure and retention of contaminated urine.

Cancer of the prostate is the third most common cancer in men. Cancer seems to be more prevalent in men who have a history of sexually transmitted diseases and prostatitis. Early symptoms of cancer are the same as for prostatitis. A rectal exam of the prostate will reveal a change in the consistency of the prostate from firm but rubbery to hard and solid.

Prostate Nutrition

Zinc is quite possibly the most important nutrient for men who are sexually active. Each time a man ejaculates, zinc is lost. Low zinc levels have been linked to prostatitis. Other specific nutrients include Vitamin A, B Complex, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C (up to 5 grams per day), Vitamin E (600 IU’s per day) magnesium, unsaturated fatty acids (2 tablespoons per day—Super Oil works well), and water.

Here are formulas which work very well on prostate problems.

PS II contains horsetail herb, black cohosh root, uva ursi leaves, licorice root, kelp plant, gotu kola herb, capsicum fruit, golden seal root, and ginger root.

P-X (which is one of Dr. Christopher’s formulas) has cedar berries, golden seal root, capsicum fruit, parsley herb, ginger root, Siberian ginseng root, uva ursi leaves, queen of the meadow root, and marshmallow root.

Saw Palmetto Concentrate - 435 mg/day for best results

Hydrangea can be added to either of these as it has a beneficial effect on genitourinary tract problems. As you research the individual herbs of each of these formulas you will find that each has a specific action on the genitourinary tract, the immune system, or the glandular system.

It is important to increase the fluid intake as this will encourage the flow of urine. (My rule of thumb on fluid intake is 1/2 oz. for each pound of body weight.) Exercise is always an important part of good health. Avoid activities such as cycling and horseback riding. Walking is probably one of the best exercises.

As a final note, it is wise to avoid sexual intercourse/ejaculation when the prostate is infected, as these activities have been shown to slow healing.*
Prostate problems need not have a stigma attached. There are many herbal/holistic remedies for these very common conditions, and the results are usually very good.

Bibliography
Concise Medical Dictionary, Oxford University Press, Great Britain, 1989.
Balch, James F. and Balch, Phyllis A., Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Avery Publishing Group, Garden City, New York, 1990.
Dunne, Lavon J., Nutrition Almanac (Third Edition). McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New York, 1990.
Kapit, Wynn, and Elson, Lawrence M., The Anatomy Coloring Book, Harper & Row, New York, N.Y., 1977.
*Editor’s Note: This caution does not apply to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Sexual intercourse does not aggrevate this condition.

Menopause for Men?
Did you know that a man can go through the “change of life” too? This fact is being studied more since it came to light by careful observation of various symptoms coming in cycles in men’s behavior. Yes, hormones do affect the emotions of men as well as women. The phases of the moon may also affect the male, as has been observed in the female hormone cycle. Granted, some of these concepts are controversial, but the sensitive observer need only keep notes on himself and his spouse and see rather regular cycles of some feelings come wax and wane.

Although men do not menstruate, their sexual energies build up and sometimes the herbs normally used for female hormone imbalances can help the male as well.

Combination PS II is a good example.

As the male responds to hormone shifting during the month, certain herbs can help stabilize his system, especially as aging or stress takes its toll. Some of the herbs useful in this case include black cohosh to help relax the nervous system and balance hormones, saw palmetto concentrate as a nutrient to help block prostate enlargement and cancer, damiana as a tonic and antidepressant, and St. John’s Wort and oats for nerve tonics against stress.
Herbs used to generally rejuvenate the whole male reproductive system include all of the above and including red raspberry leaves, yarrow, licorice root, and sarsaparilla.

All of the “adaptogenic” herbs (like Astragalus, Suma, Wild American and Siberian Ginsengs) help all the glands “adapt” to any stress known to man, including radiation.

Exercise?
Because men sit so much in many occupations, circulating to the scrotum may be impeded, weakening the tissues needing nutrients and a generous oxygen supply.
Whereas our ancestors used to do a lot of walking, dancing, lifting, chopping, moving much more freely than we do today, we have convenienced ourselves into a state of pushing buttons instead of lawnmowers. No wonder our robots don’t have prostate problems—they do all the work!

In order to retain good circulation to the reproductive tract, exercise makes sure that the blood delivers all those supplements you are taking. For those who sit a lot, getting up and walking or otherwise moving around can do more good than it sounds like—and it will increase your alertness and feeling of well-being. Do we need to say any more? We know when we’re neglecting ourselves! Listen to Mother Nature calling for action—that is what life is all about!

PSA (meaning) (Note from Four Winds Nutrition)
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood.

Remember that the PSA test cannot diagnose cancer. Only a biopsy can diagnose cancer.

It is normal for men to have a low level of PSA in their blood; however, prostate cancer or benign (not cancerous) conditions can increase a man's PSA level. As men age, both benign prostate conditions and prostate cancer become more common. The most frequent benign prostate conditions are prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (enlargement of the prostate). There is no evidence that prostatitis or BPH causes cancer, but it is possible for a man to have one or both of these conditions and to develop prostate cancer as well.

A man's PSA level alone does not give doctors enough information to distinguish between benign prostate conditions and cancer. However, the doctor will take the result of the PSA test into account when deciding whether to check further for signs of prostate cancer.

Older men typically have slightly higher PSA levels than younger men.

Normal ranges by age group commonly used include:

Men below age 50: PSA less than 2.5

Men 50 - 59 years: PSA level less than 3.5

Men 60 - 69 years: PSA level less than 4.5

Men older than 70 years: PSA level less than 6.5

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.