About BPH

It’s always important to see your healthcare provider immediately for any prostate problems. “Fortunately, the symptoms that most often appear in men over age 50 turn out to be a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH,” explains James F. Balch, MD, a board-certified urologist and coauthor of Prescription for Natural Cures. “The emphasis is on the word benign: Hyperplasia simply means an overgrowth of cells."

The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut and the shape of a doughnut, positioned just beneath the bladder. It produces some of the fluid portion of semen, the watery medium that transports sperm to allow fertilization of the female egg.

It is estimated that more than half of all men over age 60 have an enlarged prostate, and BPH is by far the most common prostate problem. Since the prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine empties from the bladder, enlargement of this gland may cause difficult, frequent, sudden, or painful urination. BPH symptoms (weak urine stream, dribbling, and awakening at night with an urge to urinate) don’t usually indicate anything serious. But its symptoms certainly challenge men’s patience and keep many of them awake at night. The reason why men normally develop BPH is still unknown, although changes in male sex hormones are considered contributing factors.

Ease Symptoms Naturally

“Mild to moderate BPH responds very nicely to herbal and nutritional remedies,” says Dr. Balch. Some botanical medicines can relieve symptoms and ease discomfort—and may help avoid or delay the need for the more drastic conventional treatments. Saw palmetto and lycopene are safe to take along with pharmaceutical drugs that a doctor may prescribe to relieve symptoms.

Among botanical medicines, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is the most widely researched for relief of symptoms of BPH. This herb contains natural ingredients that help reduce inflammation of the prostate. A new study confirms the body of research on saw palmetto—men taking this beneficial herb had significant improvements in urinary symptoms, urinary flow rate, and quality of life.

Men with BPH also need zinc, which can relieve symptoms and help shrink an enlarged prostate. Since very high doses of zinc are known to interfere with the immune system and with selenium activity, don’t take more than 150 mg per day without the advice of your healthcare provider.

In addition to zinc, be sure to take selenium. Investigations at the University of Arizona College of Medicine reveal that daily selenium supplements cut the rate of prostate cancer by more than 60 percent. One study showed that men who had the highest intakes of this mineral slashed their prostate cancer rates by up to two-thirds the rate of men with the lowest intakes of selenium. Selenium may be toxic at high levels, so don’t exceed 200 micrograms daily from all sources.

Added Protection

The addition of healthy fats like flaxseed and fish oils to the diet is also wise. These essential fatty acids help to suppress a specific acid that promotes inflammation, and they guard against prostate cell growth. Eating a diet low in saturated fat and high in fiber and getting regular exercise can slow prostate cancer cell growth up to 30 percent, according to a study by researchers at UCLA.

Several epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of foods high in the antioxidant lycopene (cooked tomatoes, pizza sauce, and tomato juice) is associated with lower rates of prostate cancer. When you cook up tomato sauce, be sure to use olive oil, which is also protective and aids absorption.

A recent animal study finds that lycopene combined with vitamin E suppressed growth of prostate tumors by 73 percent and extended survival time by 40 percent