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|  The prostate is a doughnut shaped gland about the size of a walnut and is a part of the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the urethra that carries urine from the bladder to the penis.
In older men (50% over the age of 50 and 80% over the age of 80) benign prostate enlargement occurs, however, enlargement can start from the age of about 30. The precise cause of this enlargement is still not known, but is thought to be due to an increased sensitivity to testosterone. A history of prostate enlargement in your family also increases the risk that you will experience this problem. Married men are more likely to experience enlargement of the prostate than single men.
This swelling of the prostate can continue for many years with few - if any – symptoms, but eventually causes a restriction to the flow of urine and pressure on the bladder. This leads to difficulty with starting to urinate and maintaining a constant flow of urine, dribbling at the end of urination, feeling you need to urinate frequently (particularly during the night), urgency to urinate, not being able to empty your bladder completely, urinary tract infections, blood in your urine, painful urine stream and even painful ejaculation. Should you have any of these symptoms, a doctor should evaluate your condition to ensure you are not suffering from prostate cancer or prostate inflammation. Supplements can be effective for mild to moderate swelling, but can take over a month before results are noticed. Useful supplements:
Fish oils have impressed many doctors with their effectiveness in cases of swollen prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). The essential fatty acids found in fish oils (and flaxseed oils) help to prevent the swelling and inflammation of the prostate in BPH. Because taking EFAs increases the requirement for vitamin E, most doctors recommend taking a vitamin E supplement along with EFAs.
In one study, 19 men with BPH were given an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement. In every case, the amount of retained urine was reduced, and night time urination problems stopped in 69% of cases. Dribbling was eliminated in 18 of the 19 men. All men also reported improved libido and a reduction in the size of the enlarged prostate, as determined by physical examination.
Nettle root has "proven effectiveness" and is approved in Germany for the treatment of BPH. There are several clinical studies that have shown increases in urinary flow rates in patients, as well as a reduction in residual urine levels as a result of treatment with an extract of nettle root. However, these extracts usually do not cause the prostate to decrease in size but are being studied for potential anti-inflammatory effects. Pumpkin seeds have been demonstrated to be beneficial for the treatment of mild to moderate BPH. Research shows that the zinc, fatty acid and plant sterol content of pumpkin seeds might account for their benefit in men with BPH by improving the function of the bladder and urethra as well as reducing the size of the gland itself. Saw Palmetto has become known as the “prostate herb” as it has proven to have an effective and safe action on the prostate gland. It is able to reduce prostate enlargement – without any of the side effects associated with conventional medication – by inhibiting the production of an enzyme that leads to congestion and inflammation of the gland. Several studies have shown the effects of Saw Palmetto to be as good as, if not superior to, the common drugs used to treat BPH. Saw Palmetto acts specifically on the prostate gland and so does not affect any other organs or lead to erectile dysfunction or impotence. Vitamin E can help with prostate health. As a major anti-oxidant, it helps to scavenge free radicals that can damage DNA and lead to cancer. In large-scale studies conducted in Finland, men who took Vitamin E supplements experienced 41 percent fewer deaths from prostate cancer than those who did not. Zinc is probably the single most important nutrient for a healthy prostate. The normal prostate gland contains more zinc than any other soft tissue in your body, but a deficiency is thought to contribute to its swelling. In trials, Zinc supplements have been shown to reduce the symptoms of BPH and, when taken regularly over several months, have been shown to return enlarged prostates to normal in 70% of cases.
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