The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. Its size and shape are similar to a walnut. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, which is a tube in the penis that carries urine from the bladder. This means that prostate problems can affect urination and sexual function.
The prostate is prone to three conditions:
- Prostatitis: infection or inflammation of the prostate.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Age-related prostate hyperplasia that affects approximately three-quarters of men over 60 years of age.
- Prostate Cancer: In the United States, about one in seven men (mostly the elderly) will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Some risk factors, such as smoking can change, and others, such as an individual's age or family history, do not. What we can definitely change is the way of life to prevent and reduce the body's stressors that cause the dysfunction.
There is no sure way to prevent prostate dysfunction, but it is possible to reduce the risks by:
- Healthy weight
- Good hydration
- Physical exercise
- Nutritional food choices, such as a variety of fruits and vegetables
- Avoid or limit red and processed meats, high fats, sugars and highly processed foods
- Abstinence from smoking
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
A diet rich in specific vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and certain herbs - according to the individual biochemical needs of each man - can maintain prostate health and reduce the risk of dysfunction.
Μελέτες έχουν δείξει πως η διατροφή και το στρες παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην υγεία του προστάτη. Συγκεκριμένα έρευνα που δημοσιεύθηκε στο The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, έδειξε πως η υψηλή κατανάλωση γαλακτοκομικών προϊόντων, όπως το γάλα και το τυρί, σχετίζεται με αυξημένο κίνδυνο καρκίνου του προστάτη. Σε άλλη έρευνα του Indian Journal of Urology, φάνηκε πως οι άνδρες με καλοήθη υπερπλασία του προστάτη ή καρκίνο του προστάτη έχουν χαμηλότερα επίπεδα ψευδαργύρου στο σώμα τους, μερικές φορές έως και 83% χαμηλότερα από εκείνους με υγιή προστάτη. Υπό το πρίσμα τις διατροφής και του υγιούς βάρους επίσης ήταν εμφανές πως οι υπέρβαροι άνδρες έχουν μεγαλύτερο κίνδυνο να αναπτύξουν καρκίνο του προστάτη.
Stress can significantly affect men with benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis and worsen symptoms such as urgency to urinate, frequency of urination and pain. Some men unconsciously tighten their pelvic floor muscles when under stress. This chronic tightening can cause pelvic floor muscle problems and be one of the causes of chronic prostatitis. Studies from Harvard Medical School have found that men who have recently experienced stress have a harder time emptying their bladders than those who do not. The adrenaline and cortisol released during stress significantly affect benign prostatic hyperplasia.
A holistic approach that includes nutritional suggestions and the use of Quantum Medical Biofeedback to reduce and properly manage stress, helps prostate health. By reducing stress, adrenaline and cortisol are reduced which affect the condition of the prostate. This is why men need to manage their stress levels, release tension and take care of their emotional health. Finally, for men who have had their prostate removed, research on biofeedback shows that the method helps with urinary incontinence and muscle retraining.
