When it comes to male health issues, prostate enlargement emerges as one of the most common problems in older men. Prostate refers to a small, walnut-shaped gland located behind the bladder in males. As you grow older, it tends to enlarge and results in a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It is characterized by symptoms like frequent urination, dribbling, weak stream, and feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
Almost half of the males have it once they reach the age of 60, and the incidence increases to 90% after the age of 80. Thankfully, the condition is non-cancerous and can be treated if diagnosed in time. Moreover, some simple healthy lifestyle changes can be effective for symptom relief. Let us explain how the right diet can make a difference.
Food and enlarged prostate
Prostate health is closely associated with male sex hormones, including testosterone. Essentially, it is here that testosterone gets converted into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Higher levels of DHT cause a range of problems, including the enlargement of the cells in the prostate. Studies indicate that certain foods and beverages have a significant impact on the gland’s health as they can affect testosterone and other male hormones. It has been established that a diet high in meat or dairy products elevates the risk of BPH and even prostate cancer. The risk gets even higher for people who do not include enough vegetables in their diet.
Foods that protect prostate health
Obviously, change in dietary habits is the easiest way to counter any disease, and thankfully, you can do it for prostate enlargement as well. A diet high in vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats are known to be helpful in this context. Antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, tomatoes, broccoli, onions, and garlic and citrus fruits are specifically beneficial. Similarly, the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and zinc in nuts give them protective properties as well. Also, you can rely on herbal supplements like ProstaGenix to avail effective relief from prostate enlargement symptoms naturally. Basically, these supplements are based on plant-based extracts, which makes them safe and side-effect free.
Foods that you need to avoid
While there are certain foods that can help in relieving the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, there are others that can aggravate the problem. Avoiding such foods can go a long way in protecting the gland’s health. Steer clear of red meat and dairy as regular consumption of such foods elevates the risk significantly. Reducing the intake of caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, and soda help alleviate the urinary symptoms of BPH.
Similarly, giving up alcohol also relieves urinary symptoms because alcoholic drinks stimulate urine production. High salt intake can increase the urinary tract symptoms as well. Following a low-sodium diet helps, and you can easily do it by avoiding processed foods and not adding salt to meals.
Making some simple changes in your diet can be of great help in managing the enlarged prostate symptoms and even lowering the risk in the first place. So you must surely make conscious efforts to add the foods that are good and skip the ones that are bad for your prostate.
