Lifestyle impacts your health.

What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy—is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs in almost all men as they age. Nearly 60% of men between the ages of 40 and 59 have an enlarged prostate gland. The enlargement is usually harmless, but it often results in problems urinating (known as prostatism or lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS]). About half of all men over 50 experience some symptoms. The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra in men. Its major function is to contribute to seminal fluid. If the prostate enlarges, pressure may be put on the urethra, acting like a partial clamp and causing a variety of urinary symptoms.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

• Difficulty getting a urine stream started and completely stopped (dribbling). In a small number of cases, BPH may cause bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), making it impossible or extremely difficult to urinate. This may result in backed-up urine (urinary retention), leading to bladder infections or stones, or kidney damage.
• A frequent urge to urinate or being awakened at night by the urge to urinate. Quality of life may be affected if frequent nighttime urination disrupts sleep.
• A decreased force of the urine stream.
• A sense that the bladder is not completely empty after urination.

BPH may also irritate the bladder muscles as they enlarge to compensate for the increased force needed to empty the bladder.

BPH does not cause prostate cancer, does not have an effect on a man's ability to father children, and does not usually result in erection problems. However, there is some association between severe symptoms of BPH and an increased risk of erection problems.

How is BPH diagnosed?

BPH is diagnosed through your medical history and a physical exam. Tests may include a digital rectal exam and a urine analysis. In some cases, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is done to help rule out prostate cancer.

Diet appears to play a crucial role in prostate enlargement. Zinc intake can prevent prostate enlargement and can help reduce the size of the prostate. Zinc is critical in many aspects of hormonal metabolism.

What can I do if I have BPH?

• Exercise at least 3 times a week. Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. More physically active men have a lower frequency of symptoms related to BPH. In a preliminary study, physical activity was associated with a decrease in occurrence of BPH, surgery for BPH, and symptoms of BPH. Walking, the most prevalent activity among men in this study, was related to a decreased risk of BPH. Men who exercised by walking two to three hours per week had a 25% lower risk of BPH compared with men who didn’t use walking for exercise.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet that concentrates on whole, unprocessed foods. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. In general, the more fruits and vegetables are processed, the less nutritive value they have. Eat whole grains or foods made from whole grains. Beans (legumes) are a healthy, low fat source of protein and vitamins. Seeds and nuts contain essential fatty acids. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are especially important.
• Drink 8 - 10 eight ounces of pure water. Reduce or eliminate caffeine. Carbonated drinks should be severely restricted.
• Reduce your stress. There are numerous studies documenting the deleterious effects of stress on health. Make time for friends and family. Find ways of relaxing throughout the day. Consider meditation, deep breathing exercises, visualization techniques or prayer.

Are there natural alterntives?

• The AMA has endorsed the need for a daily multivitamin. Men and non-menstruating women should not supplement iron unless advised by a physician. Supplementation of iron may mask a slow loss of blood and prevent the early detection of health problems.
• Take 200 - 400 IU of vitamin E daily. Selenium enhances the action of vitamin E. Also supplement vitamin C, 500 - 1000 mg each day, as vitamin C converts vitamin E into its helpful form after oxidation.
• Zinc, initially 45 to 60 mg daily, then 30 mg daily. Because supplementing with large amounts of zinc (such as 30 mg per day or more) may potentially lead to copper deficiency, most doctors recommend taking 2 to 3 mg of copper per day along with zinc.
• Pumpkin seed oil has been used in combination with saw palmetto in two double-blind human studies to effectively reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Only one group of researchers has evaluated the effectiveness of pumpkin seed oil alone for BPH, but the results of their large preliminary trials have been favorable. Researchers have suggested the zinc, free fatty acid, or plant sterol content of pumpkin seeds may account for their benefit in men with BPH, but this has not been confirmed. Animal studies have shown that pumpkin seed extracts may improve the function of the bladder and urethra; this might partially account for BPH symptom relief. Pumpkin seed oil extracts standardized for fatty acid content have been used in BPH studies in the amount of 160 mg three times per day with meals.
• The fat-soluble (liposterolic) extract of the saw palmetto berry has become the leading natural treatment for BPH. This extract, when used regularly, has been shown to help keep symptoms in check. Saw palmetto appears to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to its more active form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Saw palmetto also blocks DHT from binding in the prostate. Studies have used 320 mg per day of saw palmetto extract that is standardized to contain approximately 80 to 95% fatty acids.
  
  

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  Does Saw Palmetto Work? You might have read about some nutrition studies recently in the newspaper. I am posting this information in hopes it will help clarify the issues brought up by the studies. The following information was put out by Dr.Jamie McManus, Chairman, Medical Affairs, Health Sciences & Education, Shaklee Corporation.

  The saw palmetto study tested men who had moderate to severe prostatic hyperplasia and tested the saw palmetto versus a placebo. At one year, there was no significant difference between the two groups, which flies in the face of at least 21 other studies involving thousands of men that showed significant improvement using saw palmetto. The reason for this discrepancy is that these previous studies have determined that it is men withmild to moderate prostatic hypertrophy who will benefit from saw palmetto and this study clearly chose a group with far more significant pathology that may need a higher dose of saw palmetto to see a response. The study did not test a higher dose, just the dosage that is known to be beneficial (21 studies) for mild to moderate symptoms. So, the bottom line is that this study chose a population that we would not have expected to see significant improvement in symptoms, and it does not negate the well established scientifically founded acceptance of saw palmetto as a reasonable choice for men with mild to moderate prostatic hyperplasia (also known as BPH).

  
  

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  A three-year preliminary study in Germany found that 160 mg of saw palmetto extract taken twice daily reduced nighttime urination in 73% of patients and improved urinary flow rates significantly. In a double-blind trial at various sites in Europe, 160 mg of saw palmetto extract taken twice per day treated BPH as effectively as finasteride without side effects, such as loss of libido. A one-year dose-comparison study found that 320 mg once per day was as effective as 160 mg twice per day in the treatment of BPH. A review of all available double-blind trials has concluded that saw palmetto is effective for treatment of men with BPH and is just as effective as, with fewer side effects than, the drug finasteride.

• In one double-blind trial, 200 men with BPH received 20 mg of beta-sitosterol three times a day or a placebo for six months. Men receiving beta-sitosterol had a significant improvement in urinary flow and an improvement in symptoms, whereas no change was reported in men receiving the placebo. Another double-blind study reported similarly positive results using 130 mg per day of beta-sitosterol.
• It has also been reported that high consumption of soy isoflavones may reduce the incidence of prostate cancer in men.
• Despite the lack of good published research, many doctors have been impressed with the effectiveness of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in cases of BPH. Because taking EFAs increases the requirement for vitamin E, most doctors recommend taking a vitamin E supplement along with EFAs. However, controlled research is needed to establish whether EFAs are helpful for BPH.

Related Sites:

MEDLINE plus on prostate disease.

Prostae news and information

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Home Treatment

Going With the Flow. Unique Saw Palmetto Complex helps maintain proper urinary flow in men!

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.