Vitamins for Prostate Health

A common concern among adult men is the health of their prostate, given its importance in both sexual and urinary functions. For such a small gland (approximately the size of a walnut), the prostate gland plays a large role in men’s health and lifestyle thanks to its location and the way it wraps around the upper section of the urethra. However, while many may know what the prostate is or what bodily functions it can affect, they might not know some of the natural and/or problematic changes it can undergo as a man ages.

For example, there are three main prostate problems that most commonly occur:

• Prostatitis, which occurs when the prostate becomes inflamed or infected.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which is the common and natural enlarging of the prostate with age.
• Prostate cancer, the second most common form of cancer found in men around the world.

To ensure the long-term health and functioning of the prostate, it’s important for men to develop healthy lifestyle habits. Eating a diet of fruits and vegetables, limiting red meat, and taking vitamins for prostate health are all great ways to get started. Keep reading to learn more about the impact your prostate has on the rest of your body, and what you can do to maintain optimal function.

How Do Prostate Issues Affect Me?

While BPH is a natural part of aging, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the uncomfortable side effects of an enlarged prostate. Such side effects include frequent urination, bladder retention (difficulty emptying the bladder in entirety), weak urine flow, etc. Prostatitis includes similar symptoms but often comes with pain and cloudy urine. And, finally, prostate cancer typically involves all of the above urinary symptoms along with constant pain in the pelvic region and ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men.

So, what can be done to reduce the risk of developing prostate diseases? Below, we’ll examine some simple dietary changes that can improve prostate health.

How Can I Improve My Prostate Health?

Eating well is a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy body, so it’s no surprise that knowing what kinds of nutrients and supplements help protect an organ can dramatically improve its health and your chances of avoiding disease. The prostate is no different, benefitting from a variety of fruits and vegetables, along with vitamin and mineral supplements. Some dietary factors may help to prevent prostate disease or reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer altogether, while others primarily focus on treating symptoms of a prostate that is already enlarged, inflamed, and/or infected.

For example, beta-sitosterol is a substance derived from plants that are used in medication for high cholesterol. It also serves as a treatment for those suffering from an enlarged or inflamed prostate by binding to the gland to reduce swelling. In the next section, we will discuss several nutrients that have been found to improve prostate health or alleviate symptoms of a prostate-related disease.

What Vitamins Can I Take for My Prostate?

As with any medical concerns, talk to your doctor before moving forward with any plans to introduce vitamin or mineral supplements to your diet. It’s every bit as important to ensure you don’t take too much of a vitamin as it is to be certain you aren’t deficient. However, supplements are necessary for multiple reasons ranging from dietary restrictions to genetic conditions. There are plenty of foods that contain sufficient quantities of the vitamins below, but if the food itself is not enough, prostate supplements are available to help.

Vitamin D

• The vast majority of Americans are Vitamin D deficient nowadays thanks to indoor jobs and general lack of sun exposure. That deficiency is linked to all kinds of diseases and medical conditions, and clinical trials have added prostate-related illnesses to that list. As its nickname of “the sunshine vitamin” would suggest, the best way to get more of this nutrient is through being out in the sun when possible. However, it’s also obtainable through eating fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, and any foods (cereals, milk, yogurts, etc.) that say they’re “fortified” with Vitamin D. For those who still struggle to get enough in their diet or through absorbing it directly from the sun itself, though, there are both prescription and over the counter supplements available.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Omega-3 fatty acids, most easily obtained through eating cold-water fish, are packed with health benefits. From anti-inflammatory properties to reduced blood pressure, and even improved cardiovascular health, omega-3 fatty acids are a great addition to any diet. Anti-inflammatory supplements can help reduce the risk of prostatitis, and may even mitigate symptoms of BPH or prostate cancer. Omega-3s also help the body actively fight against the production of cancer cells.
• As aforementioned, cold-water fish is one of the best ways to introduce fatty acids into your diet, but you can also obtain them through soybeans, walnuts, seeds, and plant oils. You can also easily find omega-3 fatty acid supplements, but it may be worthwhile to look for a supplement with multiple minerals and compounds meant to protect prostate health, including omega-3s.

Lycopene

• We’ve all heard about how important antioxidants are for the body, but did you know that lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that can be easily obtained in large quantities from cooked tomatoes? Raw tomatoes carry more than most other foods as well, but cooking them releases the compound from the vegetable’s cells and improves your body’s ability to absorb it through ingestion. In addition, lycopene can be found in dietary supplements.

Selenium

• Selenium is definitely one of the easier minerals to add to your diet —especially if you’re a fan of meat, eggs, and nuts! Selenium is a trace mineral that’s been linked to several operations within our bodies, including enzyme regulation and immune function. Pork, beef, brown rice, baked beans, spinach, and numerous other foods are rich in selenium, enough options to ensure that whatever diet you prefer, there’s a way to work in some extra selenium. Having a hard-boiled egg or some Brazil nuts can help you get the amount you need to keep your levels strong, but there are prostate supplements available with the mineral included for those who need a little extra help.

Zinc

• Those with prostatitis are often found to have low levels of zinc in their prostate, insinuating that maintaining healthy levels of zinc in the body may help keep conditions like prostatitis at bay. The mineral improves the immune system to protect prostate health, while also providing a compound called phytosterol, which is known to alleviate urinary symptoms for someone already suffering from an enlarged prostate. You can improve your intake of this mineral by adding zinc-rich foods into your diets such as pumpkin seeds, lentils, cashews, oysters, and red meat. However, if allergies or any other kind of dietary restriction keeps you from introducing a sufficient amount of zinc into your meals, there are plenty of supplements that can improve your zinc levels as well.

What’s My Next Step?

Confer with your doctor when looking for vitamins for prostate health! Your physician will be able to determine if you are currently deficient in any of these nutrients. Additionally, if you’re currently suffering from any symptoms of prostate-related disease, they can help determine your risk of prostate cancer and the best course of action to relieve you of those symptoms. In the meantime, making note of any nutrient-rich foods listed above that you’d enjoy adding to your regular diet is a great first step! Don’t be afraid to do your own research when looking to improve your vitamin intake through your diet, and your physician can help you with the rest.