Introduction
Benign enlargement hyperplasia (BPH) is when the prostate gland enlarges with age, sometimes to the extent of a lemon's dimensions. It affects approximately 50 percent of men in their fifties, 80 percent of men in their seventies, and over 90 percent of men aged 80 and older.
What Are the Symptoms?
Although benign in most cases, certain males may manifest symptoms of urinary discomfort, which may include:
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Challenges with urination.
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Urgency and frequency increase.
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Poor drainage.
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Unfinished draining.
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Although modifying an individual's diet and lifestyle may offer some comfort to symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if a patient continues to experience pain or discomfort over an extended duration.
What Substances Do Prostate Health Supplements Contain?
Prostate health supplements frequently comprise the following substances:
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Serenoa repens extract derived from saw palmetto.
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Lycopersicon esculentum extract obtained from tomatoes.
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Urtica dioica nettle.
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Vitamin E.
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Selenium.
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Zinc.
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Soy.
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Green tea.
Nevertheless, unlabeled constituents and dosages may be present in dietary supplements, potentially presenting adverse health effects. A global distribution reveals herbal products are contaminated with animal products, heavy metals, and poisons.
Are Supplements for Prostate Health Beneficial in Any Way?
Numerous dietary items and their constituents may prevent prostate cancer or alleviate prostate disease symptoms. Lack of high-quality studies support the use of herbal therapy to prevent prostate cancer; however, Saw Palmetto may have a minor beneficial effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
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Complicating the evaluation of supplements' benefits and drawbacks is that they frequently consist of numerous constituents.
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Nutritional supplements are a minor addition that enhances the overall benefits, accounting for only a small percentage.
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Supplemental measures cannot improve overall health or extend lifespan without a nourishing diet serving as the foundational element.
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Prioritize dietary and lifestyle changes before considering the use of nutritional supplements.
What Are the Supplements?
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Saw Palmetto: Saw palmetto is often known as the American dwarf palm tree. It is consistently included in the list of beneficial substances for prostate health. The palm tree is indigenous to the southeastern coast of the United States and is commonly employed in traditional medicine, mostly for treating reproductive and urinary tract ailments.
Saw palmetto is believed to promote prostate health by regulating specific hormones, such as testosterone. It reduces the activity of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, a male sex hormone involved in the development of BPH. It can be consumed as berries, and extracts derived from saw palmetto can be consumed whole, dehydrated, brewed into tea, or ingested as a dietary supplement.
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Zinc: Zinc, a vital trace mineral, is involved in more than 300 enzymatic functions in the body, including those related to the prostate. The prostate gland accumulates modest quantities of zinc, and having lower levels of zinc has been associated with a higher likelihood of developing prostate enlargement. Obtaining sufficient zinc through diet is generally easy for most individuals, as it can be found in oysters, cashews, and chickpeas.
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Pumpkin Seed Oil: The butternut squash seeds provide many essential elements, including zinc. The oil derived from the seeds is purported to provide therapeutic properties that promote the well-being of the bladder, kidneys, and prostate. Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterol, a substance that has a protective effect and may assist in reducing the enlargement of the prostate gland. Although the investigation into the specific advantages of pumpkin seed oil supplements for the prostate is ongoing, there is no risk in consuming pumpkin seeds. When engaging in the activity of carving a pumpkin for Halloween or preparing pumpkin pie, it is advisable to retain the seeds. The advantages are entirely advantageous with no negative aspects.
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Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a hormone within the body and provides many health advantages. Although vitamin D is commonly recognized for its positive effects on immunity, mood, and bone health, it plays a crucial role in maintaining prostate health. Insufficient amounts of vitamin D have been associated with decreased levels of testosterone, a crucial hormone for preserving prostate health.
Due to the availability of this vitamin through sunlight exposure, approximately 42 percent of the global population needs more intake. A practical method to increase one’s vitamin D consumption is by utilizing a dietary supplement.
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Lycopene: Fruits and red vegetables, particularly tomatoes, orange, and green, are abundant in lycopene. Carotenoid is a specific sort of compound that acts as a potent antioxidant, safeguarding your prostate cells against harm caused by free radicals. These toxic compounds can inflict damage when they accumulate in the body. Fresh, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables are excellent reservoirs of lycopene. Lycopene is also available in supplements, although studies investigating the connection between lycopene supplementation and prostate health are ongoing.
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Milk Thistle: Milk thistle is commonly recognized for its positive effects on liver health, but it also offers notable advantages for the prostate. This plant is a herbaceous blooming plant that is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. It contains powerful flavonoids and antioxidants that aid in regulating hormone levels and promoting the well-being of the prostate gland. The primary flavonoid responsible for the beneficial effects of milk thistle is silymarin, which appears to protect cells in the prostate gland. Currently, the extent of the benefits of consuming a milk thistle supplement for prostate health remains uncertain.
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Green Tea: Consuming green tea has numerous health advantages. It has been employed in traditional medicine for years. Green tea contains high catechin antioxidants, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which may promote prostate gland health and facilitate normal urine flow.
Conclusion
Some chemicals often present in prostate supplements can alleviate urinary tract symptoms related to prostate problems, while others may have no effect or potentially cause harm.
The variables that impact benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) include nutrition, physical activity, the prostate microbiome, and nutraceutical supplements like vitamins A, C, D, and E derived from plants are likely to ease lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and BPH symptoms. The risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are age, smoking, obesity, insulin resistance, lipids, diabetes, hypertension, and depression. Supplementing with phytochemicals such as equol, β-sitosterol, pumpkin seed extract, saw palmetto, lycopene, stinging nettle, and green tea has been linked to a reduction in symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
