Articles of Interest Prostate Problems by Cathy Oats   Prostate trouble — it comes with the territory of age. One out of two men will suffer from it, either the painful inflammation of prostatitis or the uncomfortable symptoms of benign enlargement of the prostate. The key word is "benign." What every man fears is the presence of a malignant growth: cancer … A justifiable fear, in fact, given that one man in five will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime.   Prostatitis It can strike a man at any age, even as young as 20. Symptoms include swelling and pain between the scrotum and rectum, frequent and burning urination, diminished urine flow, lower back pain, fatigue and sexual dysfunction. It can also cause infertility.   It is prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland, that will eventually make life miserable for up to 40 million American men. The pain can range from short-term acute flare-ups to long-term chronic pain so intense that drugs can’t control it. Sex can become so excruciatingly painful that it’s out of the question.   Urologists commonly view prostatitis as being due to an infective agent such as bacteria or chlamydia, although 95 percent of all cases are of unknown origin. And while antibiotics do cure some cases of prostatitis, countless numbers of others fail to respond to antibiotics, causing victims a lifetime of suffering. Researchers today suggest infective agents may not be the cause of the condition, but are instead acting opportunistically upon a depleted glandular environment. In addition, non-infective forms of prostatitis are also recognized and may be associated with autoimmune disorders. We do know that very low concentrations of zinc are associated with prostatitis. By depleting the prostate of proteolytic enzymes and zinc, prostatitis can follow increased amounts of sexual activity. Therefore, too much sex too quickly (say eight to 10 ejaculations in a two-day period), can overwork the prostate and make it easier for an infection to occur. There are also other lifestyle factors — certain medications and excesses of caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods — that also contribute to a lack of glandular nutrition, which ultimately adds to the depletion of the prostate and lowered immune function.   The grim news, guys, is that 50 percent of the world’s male population will suffer from prostatitis at some point in their lives. However, the good news is that the tie between beneficial nutrients and prostate health is getting stronger all the time. That’s why more and more urologists today acknowledge the connection between diet, nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation and the causes and treatments of some kinds of prostate conditions.   Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) The prostate gland is a small chestnut-sized organ that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the upper part of the urethra. It consists of an inner zone which produces secretions that help moisten the urethra, and an outer zone in which seminal secretions are produced. Approximately 30 percent of semen volume is dependent upon prostatic secretions. While these functions appear simplistic, there is much that can interfere with the gland’s performance. One common ailment is benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), also known simply as enlarged prostate. This disorder can become quite serious if left untreated. When the prostate gland attains a particular size, it usually partly — if not completely — blocks the outlet from the bladder. Incontinence ensues, which may in turn be followed by a thorough inability to pass urine.   The condition is a curious one, as it often tends to be progressive, yet not always. The prostate may swell quickly to critical size, or it may grow very slowly over many years. It may also stop enlarging at any point during its growth. In addition, there can be a vast difference between the size of an enlarged prostate and the symptoms it exhibits.   BPH has been categorized into three different stages, with the first characterized by urination difficulties. In this first stage, the urine stream becomes thinner, the urge to urinate increases and the ability to urinate decreases. Surprisingly, it is not uncommon for men to remain in this stage for the rest of their lives. In the second stage of BPH, urine retention increases, and the bladder is never emptied. In the third and final stage, the remaining urine in the bladder becomes so excessive that back pressure ensues, resulting in kidney damage and uremia. (Uremia is a condition in which excessive amounts of urea and other nitrogenous waste products build up in the blood. At this point, only surgery can alter the situation and redeem the patient.)   Symptoms of BPH typically include urinary frequency, a consistent urge to urinate, nightly unrest from the need to empty the bladder, hesitancy in urinating, intermittent urine flow, after-dribbling and, of course, an enlarged prostate gland. Another negative aspect of BPH often left unaddressed is its effect on sexual function. It is not uncommon for men who suffer from BPH to have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. In fact, 20 to 25 percent of all cases of impotence stem from BPH, as the enlarged prostate hinders penile erection.   There are a number of factors that can set off BPH, not the least of which is the normal aging process. As men age, their hormone levels change: some hormones increase with age, others decrease. Although actual hormone imbalances can start as young as the 30s, most significant changes do not occur until after age 50. This alteration of levels — with testosterone and free-testosterone levels (the sex hormones) declining, and other hormone levels (such as prolactin, oestradiol, sex hormone-building ligand, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone) rising — generates a prolific quantity of prostate cells which, in turn, causes the prostate gland to swell.   Men, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the need for careful attention to your prostate health, as by the age of 50, approximately 30 percent of all men will start to experience difficulties with urination relating to BPH. Left untreated, symptoms continue to worsen with age, increasing in incidence to about 50 percent of all males by the age of 60, and up to 80 percent past age 70.   Drawbacks of Mainstream Prostate Treatment There are two conventional treatments for BPH. One is surgical; the other pharmaceutical. The idea behind the surgical procedure is simple: If there is not a big enough hole for urine to pass through, create a bigger hole. The procedure is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This intrusive procedure has inherent problems, however. First, the action does not address the most fundamental question: Why is the prostate getting bigger? Second, it often makes matters worse, as erectile impotence is an important — if underrated — complication. This treatment should only be utilized if absolutely necessary.   In recent years, this relatively primitive bit of "anatomical carpentry" has taken second fiddle to a drug called Proscar. The first drug that the FDA has so far approved for treatment of BPH, it has many problems associated with it. First, it is not very effective — an article in the September 1994 issue of American Journal of Natural Medicine reports that fewer than 37 percent of men on Proscar experienced clinical improvement after taking the drug for a year. In addition, the drug must be taken for at least six months before any improvement can be expected. Second, it is so toxic that the FDA recommends that pregnant women not be exposed to semen of men who are on the drug, due to risk of birth defects. Third, it’s been known for quite some time to cause varying degrees of sexual dysfunction. Fourth, preventive measures such as diet and natural supplements work on BPH via the same mechanism as Proscar, but without side effects … and they work faster!   Choices & Action Surgery and synthetic drugs all have their place in the war against prostate disease: They are the "big guns" that have given many people hope and extended many lives. But before these radical treatments are needed, wouldn’t it make sense for men (and the women who love them) to investigate preventative strategies? The answer is clear and simple: Take an active stance to protect yourself. Focus on building the immune system. Detoxify your body. Streamline your diet, drink plenty of water. Cut back on caffeine products, spicy foods and foods high in fats and carboyhydrates. Watch your consumption of alcohol and don’t smoke. These factors can all serve as irritants — negating the effects of essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc. Supplementation of these nutrients is crucial for treating any prostate disorders as they are among the most prominent elements found in prostatic tissues.   These tissues are also necessary for the formation of seminal fluid. Take antioxidants! They are extremely important as certain cell tracts in the hormone-responsive areas of sexual apparatus are particularly sensitive to oxidative damage. Antioxidant vitamins, minerals, plant extracts and proteolytic enzymes create a synergistic effect of detoxification and immune enhancement. In particular, certain nutrients, like vitamin B6 and the important mineral zinc, appear to bring about a reduction in swelling of the prostate by inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, hormones that mediate the inflammatory process at the molecular level. For men of middle age or older suffering from a depressed sex drive due prostate problems, plant-based nutrients can help stimulate energy as they light the fire. The herb, damiana, has a long history in helping the body balance hormones. In chemical analysis, among the consituents are several alkaloids that directly stimulate the nerves and sex organs.   More Sexy Nutrients Boron, zinc, glycine and L-histidine are four additional nutrients essential for a healthy sex life. The first three all have been found to increase testosterone levels; L-histidine is important as it increases the release of histamine, a necessary requirement for achieving orgasm. Histamine release during sexual excitation is what causes the sex flush described by Masters and Johnson (blushing in face, neck, shoulders, chest, etc.)   For sexual performance, stamina can be increased by taking certain nutrients, including the B vitamins, the important vitamin C and the amino acid, phenylalanine — that are precursors of noradrenaline and acetylcholine. Increasing levels of these neurotransmitters helps stimulate sexual activity and is a fairly common reaction to these substances after the age of 40.   Bee pollen, as well, is a natural source of acetylcholine, and contains vitamin A, C, D and E. If this isn’t impressive enough, it is also rich in B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, inositol, 18 amino acids, numerous minerals, fatty acids, enzymes, and the hormone testosterone — which is needed by both men and women. Wow, those amazing little bees!   Overall good health is essential to maintaining healthy sexual function and general vitality. Don’t let it only be a pleasant memory for you. And beware of "over the counter" medications that can contribute to sexual problems and leave you limp where it counts!   In Closing Prevention is the best approach to maintaining the health of the male organs. Considering the far-reaching effect problems can have on the lives of sufferers in terms of discomfort, the side effects of standard treatments, and the enormous costs that are brought to bear — not to mention the quality of life — prevention of these disorders should be undertaken by all men, of all ages.   If you ever wonder why Ralph and I get so excited about what our products have done for his prostate … guess no more. We have taken an active stance to confront prostate disease before it begins. We get his annual check-ups, he gets a PSA test done regularly, we have focused on building Ralph’s immune system, detoxifying his body, and supplying him with the right nutrients.   He wants to be what my father said to us at the age of 92 (when he got married!): "I’m not as good as I once was … but I’m as good once as I ever was!" God bless! References available upon request. Main Article Index click here Our copyright and Privacy statements / Medical Disclaimer © 2002, Makena Werks, Int'l, All Rights Reserved.