Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

The prostate is a small, doughnut shaped, walnut sized gland that surrounds the urethra just below the bladder. It secretes a thin, milky fluid that lubricates the urethra and increases sperm motility.

The medical condition known as benign (non-malignant) prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) describes an enlarged prostate gland. Since the urethra (the tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside) goes directly through (and is surrounded by) the prostate, swelling of the gland causes symptoms of urinary obstruction: increased urinary frequency, urgent urination, nighttime urination (nocturia), and decreased speed of flow of urination.

Affecting over 50% of men at some time in their life, and 60% of men between the ages of 40 and 60, BPH is an extremely common condition. Frequency of occurrence increases with age. Men with BPH are four times more likely to develop prostate cancer than those with normal prostates.

Please note: Do not make assumptions about your prostate condition. Do not attempt to diagnose yourself. Only a physician has the necessary training and experience to diagnose prostate disease.

Symptoms

Difficulty starting to urinate
Weak , narrow, or interrupted urinary stream
Feeling that the bladder is not completely emptying
Hesitation while urinating
Frequent urge to urinate, especially at night
chronic urinary urgency is a major cause of sleep disturbance and loss of quality of life

Note: prostate cancer may coexist with BPH and does not necessarily cause any symptoms. Absence of BPH does not mean prostate cancer is not present. Regular PSA testing and digital rectal examinations are necessary for detecting cancer of the prostate.

Approach

Swelling of the prostate is caused by the generation of an abnormal testosterone metabolite called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen. As males enter their fourth and fifth decades, dihydrotestosterone production increases, testosterone production diminishes, while estrogen and DHT increase.

Increased estrogen, especially in an environment of decreased testosterone, causes prostatic hypertrophy.

Testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. The herbal ingredients in ProstaGuard block this enzyme, thus reducing the production of 5DHT.

In men and postmenopausal women, most estrogens are produced from androgens. Specifically, most estradiol is produced from testosterone. The conversion of androgens to estrogens (known as aromatization) is accomplished by the enzyme aromatase. In addition to receiving estrogen circulating through the bloodstream, the stroma of the prostate produces its own estrogen through aromatization. Researchers have found higher levels of estrogen and higher estrogen to testosterone ratios in the prostates of BPH patients.

The hormonal derangements in BPH are: 1.) DHT-induced prostatic swelling, accompanied by 2.) “estrogen dominance” and estrogenic overstimulation of the prostate gland, causing it to swell, and 3.) failure of testosterone and progesterone to counterbalance estrogen dominance.

Strategies for reducing prostatic enlargement are based on decreasing DHT, increasing testosterone, decreasing estrogen by blocking the aromatase enzyme, and nourishing the prostate with basic diet and essential nutrient supplementation.

Suggested Supplements

ProstaGuard contains the herbs known to reduce prostatic swelling: saw palmetto and Pygeum africanum. ProstaGuard is also contained in Renewal Research Super Male Packets, which are designed to also supply ample antiodxidants and all of the essential nutrients necessary for optimum health and prostatic healing.

Other products for a healthy prostate include:

Lycopene plays a critical role in prostate health and provides potent protection from prostate cancer.
Dietary indole compounds found in broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables exert a strong protective effect on tissues such as prostate that are most susceptible to the undesirable effects of excess estrogen. Indole compounds favorably influence steroid hormone metabolism and help rebalance estrogen in favor of 2-hydroxyestrone, a protective estrogen metabolite. Dietary indoles also stimulate liver detoxification enzymes, inhibit DNA damage, and regulate cell cycle progression. Increased indole intake may be especially important for men with estrogen-dominant conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer.
The highest concentrations of Zinc in the human body are in the prostate gland.