Prostate Enlargement
Filed under: Your Health, Dave Carpenter — Copyright©2006 Dave Carpenter @ 10:52 am

Dave Carpenter, ND, C. Ac., CCI

It is estimated that 60% of males in the United States, between the ages of 40 and 60 years, suffer from prostatic enlargement. The truth is 25% of men as young as age 20 have been found to have pre-cancerous conditions of the prostate. This condition is known as benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH.

Evidence suggests that one contributing factor to BPH is elevated levels of the highly active form of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Increased levels of this hormone have been found in prostatic tissue of men with BPH.

Of all the herbal preparations researched Saw Palmetto has been the most popular solution for BPH. It works by assisting in reducing the BPH by controlling or blocking the conversion of testosterone into its highly active form (5-a-reductase). Saw Palmetto works well as an anti-inflammatory herb, reducing the size of the prostate. Studies indicate that 320 mg. of Saw Palmetto per day greatly reduces painful urination, nocturia, and post-urination residue in the bladder, with significant improvement in urine flow rate.

The herb Pygeum has been shown to work in a variety of ways to protect and support the prostate function. As an anti-inflammatory agent it inhibits prostaglandin formation, reduces tissue congestion, edema, and prolactin, thus decreasing testosterone uptake and levels of DHT in the prostate.

Lycopene & Vitamin E have been shown to reduce oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA in human studies. According to a study conducted by Harvard School of Medicine,(Journal of the National Cancer Institute,87:1767-1776,1995) 47,894 healthy males were assessed to determine their intake of various carotenoids. Those males with high levels of lycopene had a 35% reduced risk of prostate cancer than those with lower levels. For more advanced or aggressive prostate cancers the protective effects of lycopene increased to 47%. Another cell culture study carried out at the Biochemical and Biophysical Research center showed the combination of lycopene and Vitamin E prevented the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Another proven agent in reducing levels of 5-a-reductase and DHT is the mineral zinc. Men with BPH have been found to have reduced tissue levels of zinc, while men with healthy prostate tissue have high levels of zinc.

Symptoms of BPH

* Reduced urinary stream caliber and force.
* Straining to urinate
* Feelings of incomplete voiding
* Feelings of urinary retention after voiding
* Frequent urination
* Nocturia (getting up several times at night to urinate)
* Incontinence
* Painful urination
* Hesitancy in starting urine flow
* Prolonged dribbling after urination

If I had any of these symptoms or suspected I had prostate problems here’s what I’d do:

* Drink a minimum of 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. (Kangen Water)
* Use Saw Palmetto Cream daily as directed on the jar
* Prostatin - 1 capsule 3 times daily (prostate herbal supplement in therapeutic strength)
* Follow an alkalizing program (Kangen Water).