Prostate Articles

This page contains medical journal articles and/or doctors' commentaries on the role of mineral deficiencies and other factors in illness, and the value of minerals, vitamins, and a proper diet for healthy living.

Prostate Articles...

PROSTATE PROBLEMS - THINK ZINC!

BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), otherwise known as enlarged prostate will affect 50% of men over age 50 and by age 85 over 90% will have BPH.

The prostate is a doughnut shaped gland the size of a walnut that lies below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. When enlargement of the prostate occurs the opening surrounding the urethra gets pinched off resulting in bladder obstruction. If the condition is not rectified, BPH will eventually obstruct the bladder outlet resulting in the retention of urine, kidney damage and death.

The 1st sign of danger.
Frequent evening urination. This will progress to slight pain or burning during urination and/or difficulty starting or stopping urine flow. Because symptoms are vague, nearly 90% of all prostatic growths go undetected until they have spread beyond the easily treatable stage. Symptoms of BPH and the more severe disease of prostate cancer are very similar and a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is utilized to determine which situation is the case. The PSA test measures the levels of a specific protein that is produced in the prostate and is regarded as a highly significant and sensitive marker for prostate cancer.

Too quick to cut.
The most common form of surgery is called TURP (trans-urethral resection of the prostate), often called the, "roto-rooter operation". Because this surgery is associated with a high death rate and 50% of those who do survive are sexually dysfunction it should be avoided unless there are no other alternatives. The latest procedure is called TUNA (trans-urethral needle ablation) and uses microwaves to destroy the excess prostate tissue. It is much safer but there are side effects and you will need the operation every 4 years because the cause of the enlargement has not been stopped and the tissue will grow back.

Drugs do not work.
According to the American Prostate Society newsletter the highly touted prescription drugs were shown recently in a double blind, placebo controlled test to be no better than the placebo. Some men taking the drug developed enlarged breasts which made them susceptible to breast cancer, while others experienced a steep decline in sexual interest. Dr. Ed Giovannucci, professor at Harvard Medical School said the current medical practices (drugs & surgery) for prostate disorders in the U.S. are of "doubtful value". 90% of German doctors refuse to even consider American style drugs or surgeries and similar attitudes exist in France and other European countries.

10 times more zinc!
The prostate gland uses 10 times more zinc than any other organ in the body. As the male body ages and the production of testosterone declines, an enzyme (5-alpha-reductase), stimulates the production of other hormones that cause enlargement. Scientists have confirmed that when sufficient zinc is present it helps deter that enzyme from doing its damage. Dr. Chrisholm reported in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry that zinc can avert the hormonal action that causes prostate enlargement. Some doctors call it the "man's vitamin". Adequate zinc, in the proper form and its uptake into the body are paramount to an effective BPH treatment plan.

EFA's are necessary.
Utilizing essential fatty acids (EFA's) to fight BHP have also received recognition. All 19 subjects in an uncontrolled study showed significant reduction of residual urine in the bladder after several weeks of treatment. Twelve of the 19 were reporting no residual urine at all. Flax oil and borage oil are both good sources of EFA's and can be found in any good health food store.

Saw palmetto works.
Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), native to Florida has been shown to significantly diminish the symptoms of BHP in numerous clinical studies. In one study 305 men were given 160 mg of the saw palmetto twice daily. After 45 days, 83% of the participants stated that the product was effective. After 90 days the percentage increased to 88%! Another important finding from this study was that the saw palmetto extract had no demonstrable effect on PSA levels. While the drug finasteride (Proscar) typically takes up to a year to produce significant benefits, saw palmetto produces better results in a much shorter period of time.

Best defense is a good offense.
Do not wait until you are experiencing problems in this area. Costs are very low to maintain a healthy prostate. Be proactive – take your water-soluble zinc..., get your EFA's and use the herb saw palmetto.

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PROSTATE ARTICLES