
When men reach middle age, their
prostate gland begins to grow. In many men, a condition known as benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may occur. In some men, it doesn't ever become a
problem, but for many men this condition causes much discomfort and needs to be
treated. The prostate is a small gland located between the bladder and the
rectum. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the
body, and leads out to the two seminal vesicles. The gland itself is covered
with a fibrous membrane, which keeps it from growing outward. A healthy prostate
is about the size of a walnut. Pressure from a
growing prostate gland can begin to put pressure onto the urethra and cause problems
with urination. The bladder
might not be able to empty properly, which can lead to frequent urination or
incontinence. A man may also get recurring urinary tract infections, and will
find himself running to the bathroom much more often.
One
plant that can help your prostate is the saw
palmetto.
The
saw palmetto fan palm (Serenoa repens) is a plant grows in the coastal areas of
the southern United States as well as southern California. An estimated million
acres of wild saw palmetto palms grow in Florida. Most of this is grown
commercially. This small palm normally
grows to about 3-6 feet. It is very slow growing, and some plants may be as old
as 500 to 700 years old. Saw palmetto is the extract that comes from its dark
purple berries. Native Americans long ago ate the saw palmetto berries,
believing they served as a tonic that nourished the body and helped promote
weight gain. They also used the herb to treat problems of the urinary tract,
such as painful or frequent urination.
Saw
palmetto is commonly used by natural health practitioners help with a variety
of ailments, such as inflammation of the testes, urinary tract inflammations,
coughs, and even respiratory congestion. It is sometimes also taken to
strengthen the thyroid gland, balance metabolism, stimulate appetite, and aid overall
digestion. Saw palmetto is one of the most commonly taken dietary supplements
among Americans between the ages of 50 and 76, according to the American
Dietetic Association.
Numerous
recent clinical trials have confirmed the effectiveness of saw palmetto in
treating BPH. Many of these trials have shown saw palmetto works better than even
the most commonly used prescription drugs. Saw palmetto has shown to be
effective in almost 90% of patients after only six weeks of use.
Saw
palmetto is currently being evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) for the treatment of BPH. It would become the first herbal product to be
licensed by the agency as a treatment for a specific condition.
BPH
may also lead to serious kidney conditions if undiagnosed and left untreated.
Some estimate that 50-60% of all men will develop BPH during their lives. There
may be as many as six million men who have BPH that is severe enough to require
some kind of therapy, but only half of them seek treatment from their doctors.
Once the
bladder is permanently damaged, treatment may be ineffective. When BPH is diagnosed
and treated during the early stages, there is less risk of developing more
serious complications.
Symptoms of
BPH may include: A weak or hesitant urine stream, incontinence, increased
frequency of urination, particularly at night, the feeling that your bladder
has not completely emptied.
The size of your
prostate does not always determine the severity of the symptoms. Many men with significantly
enlarged glands have little obstruction and minor symptoms. Others, whose
glands are less enlarged, have more severe blockage and more serious symptoms.
You may not be
aware of any enlargement of your prostate until you suddenly find yourself
unable to urinate at all. This condition, known as acute urinary retention, can be brought on by over-the-counter allergy
or cold medicines. Such decongestant medications contain what are known as
sympathomimetics. One potential side effect of this drug is that it can prevent
the bladder opening from relaxing and allowing urine to pass. When there is
already partial obstruction, acute urinary retention also can be triggered by
alcohol, cold temperatures, or long periods of immobility.
Many doctors
now also recommend zinc as
another beneficial prostate supplement since it has now been proven in some
studies to shrink your prostate. You should also take advantage of the benefit
of lycopene, which is a
substance found in tomatoes and other processed tomato foods. It is a rich
antioxidant and is thought to prevent prostate cancer and can help in the
treatment and prevention of heart disease. Beta sisterol is also beneficial in its use for prostate
health promotion and has the added benefit of treating hair loss.
Prostate problems are a common part of growing older for many men. You can, however, take a very comprehensive formula that includes Saw Palmetto, Zinc, Lycopene, Beta-Sitosterol, Pygeum Africanum and Stinging Nettle, a total of over 30+ ingredients; a very comprehensive formula; Prostate Health Essentials (click here to view). Prostate Health Essentials contains 30+ natural ingredients shown to support prostate health.