Having prostate problems is one that many men dread and fear.  Not only do they equate this type of condition with old age and being past one's prime, they know too that it can result in pain, problems urinating, and even impotence in some cases.  Also, the exam that one must go through to check the gland is very unpleasant and downright embarrassing!

This doesn't mean that any man should just ignore this problem.  It's important to do everything you can to keep the prostate healthy so as to forego these problems as much as possible.

While prostate problems are common in men, very few even know what this gland is for and what its healthy function is.  This gland surrounds the top part of the urethra, which is the tube that drains urine from the bladder.  Its function is to keep the urethra moist which aids in urination, and it also produces seminal fluid to transport sperm.  In adult males it is typically about the size of a walnut, but its enlargement is what causes problems in men.  As a matter of fact, about 43% of men over the age of 60 have an enlarged prostate gland.  Non cancerous enlargement of the prostate is a common problem and it is not clear exactly what the cause is.  It is believed that a hormonal change among older men is a major factor.  Biopsies of enlarged prostates have shown extraordinarily high cholesterol content.

It's true that you can't always do something about whether or not this gland becomes enlarged, you can do many things to keep yourself healthy overall and address the common reasons for an enlarged prostate.  For instance, many believe that the antioxidant agents in green tea and berries help to fight off the free radicals that destroy healthy cells.  Also, some doctors are finding out that regular ejaculations on the man's part seem to "exercise" the prostate and ward off some forms of cancer and cases of enlargement - good news for men who are looking for yet another reason to enjoy a healthy sex life!

Saw palmetto is an herb that many believe helps to shrink an enlarged prostate; it is thought to work by breaking down the testosterone that works to feed this gland.  Saw Palmetto extract is widely used in Europe and is currently the subject of extensive study for improving prostate health.

Zinc is required for male sexual maturity and fertility depends on it.  Zinc also has a profound influence on the body's ability to resist disease.  Lycopene is also the most abundant carotene in the prostate tissues and is needed for normal prostate functioning.

It's also thought that heat applied to this region can reduce the enlargement, although a regular heating pad or hot bath doesn't seem to quite reach this gland.  Heat involves microwave or laser therapy.

In some extreme cases medical intervention and even surgery may be necessary.  Ignoring an enlarged prostate can lead to kidney infections, impotence, and cancer.  Many surgeries are considered major and require time off from work, but most doctors can recommend other treatment options since these are so invasive.  Every man over 40 should have regular exams so as to avoid prostate problems in the future and avoid letting the condition become so severe that only surgery can correct the problem.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.