We hear about Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Ben Stiller, and John Kerry's diagnosis of prostate cancer. But despite the fact that benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), aka an enlarged prostate, affects around 50% of men age 51 to 60 and up to 90% of those over age 80, a Google search doesn't turn up a single famous personality willing to talk about having the non-cancerous condition!
Starting at age 25, a man's prostate gland begins a second cycle of growth -- and if it becomes too large, it causes BPH, which constricts the urethra, irritating the bladder and causing urinary retention.
The good news: Regular exercise can help prevent symptomatic BPH by changing gene expression and reducing inflammation. Consistent quality sleep also appears to reduce the risk. And you can reduce BPH symptoms by eating a low-fat diet and a large variety of vegetables and citrus fruits daily, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Plus, if you have mild BPH, taking pumpkin seed extract, saw palmetto, lycopene, stinging nettle, and green tea may reduce symptoms, according to a study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. For more info, check out the iHerb.com blog: "7 Natural Supplements for Prostate Health."
And now there's a breakthrough medical treatment that uses prostate artery embolism to slowly shrink the prostate -- with little risk of incontinence or impotence, which may result from traditional surgery. So, if you're experiencing BPH, talk to your doctor about physical activity, nutrition and medical treatments that may help manage symptoms and protect urinary and sexual function.
