Natural Factors in Prostate Health

The prostate gland emits hormones and proteins that help produce seminal fluid. Prostate gland enlargement and inflammation can cause difficulty urinating, along with a number of other uncomfortable symptoms. Prostate cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer-related deaths in men older than 75, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Natural approaches such as dietary changes and the use of certain supplements might help promote prostate health. Consult your doctor if you are interested in using natural supplements and/or other natural healing practices, including herbs, vitamins or minerals, for any prostate issue.

Diet

• Foods can affect prostate health. The University of Maryland Medical Center says a diet rich in anti-oxidants, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, and fish has been linked with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. It also notes the historical use of pumpkin seeds to promote overall prostate health. Licensed acupuncturist Ban Wong says the anti-oxidant lycopene has been associated particularly with prostate health. Cooked tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon, guava, papaya and apricots are rich in lycopene. Alternative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil recommends cutting back on saturated fats and trans-fats, and eating more omega-3 and monounsaturated fats from fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil, canola oil and avocados. He also recommends eating more soy products; research indicates Asians have lower incidences of enlarged prostate, and soy consumption might play a role. Cutting back on alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods can help prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate gland.

Natural Supplements

• The type of supplements that will offer the most benefit depends on the nature of your prostate problem. One supplement in particular, saw palmetto, might help across the board by promoting overall prostate health, but it appears to work best for shrinking an enlarged prostate. To combat inflammation and other symptoms of prostatitis, the University of Maryland Medical Center says the following supplements might offer benefit: cernilton, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, zinc, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, stinging nettle, horsetail, pau d'arco and African pygeum. Wong notes that traditional Chinese medicine frequently employs herbs, such as he shou wu, to restore kidney essence, which it links with prostate health.

Acupuncture

• Wong advocates the use of acupuncture to promote normal prostate functioning. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that acupuncture has demonstrated effectiveness for encouraging normal urine flow and reducing swelling and inflammation. If the patient is undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer, acupuncture has been found to effectively treat nausea and other complications.

Yoga

• Yoga poses aim to improve functioning and health of different organs, areas of the body bodily systems. Certified yoga practitioner Dawn Mahowald, quoted in "Yoga Journal," teaches yoga to urology patients and recommends it as a natural method of promoting prostate health. Poses that target this area include boat pose, bow pose, hero pose, shoulder stand, widespread plow pose, frog pose, warrior pose and triangle pose (see Resources section). You might consider asking a yoga practitioner to help you design a personal yoga routine.