Natural Ways For Prostate Enlargement

Introduction

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia? Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, is a common issue that affects many men as they get older. It can lead to annoying symptoms like needing to pee often, trouble starting or stopping urination, and feeling like your bladder isn’t completely empty. While there are medical treatments available, many men look for natural ways to manage these symptoms. In this article, we’ll share some proven natural methods to help ease the discomfort caused by BPH.¹

What fruits help with the prostate? 

Several fruits are great for supporting prostate health because they are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and other beneficial nutrients. Here are some fruits that can help:

• Tomatoes: These are rich in lycopene, a strong antioxidant that may help lower the risk of prostate problems and improve prostate health. Cooking tomatoes, like in sauces or soups, makes lycopene easier for the body to absorb.²
• Watermelon: Just like tomatoes, watermelon is full of lycopene. It also keeps you hydrated and provides vitamins that are good for overall prostate health.²
• Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries): These fruits are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that may help fight inflammation and oxidative stress in the prostate.²
• Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruits): High in vitamin C, citrus fruits help boost the immune system and may reduce inflammation in the prostate.²
• Broccoli: Broccoli and other vegetables like bok choy, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain a natural compound called sulforaphane. This compound is believed to support prostate health and may help protect cells from damage.²

Prostate Exercises

Regular exercise can significantly benefit men with BPH. Physical activity helps reduce inflammation and improves circulation, which may ease prostate symptoms. Consider:

• Aerobic Exercises: Activities like walking, jogging, or swimming may improve overall cardiovascular health and can reduce the severity of BPH symptoms.³
• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Also known as Kegel exercises, these strengthen the muscles that control urination, helping with urinary flow and bladder control.³
• Meditation: Regular practice can help calm the mind and reduce stress.³
• Deep Breathing: Simple deep-breathing exercises can be done anywhere to relieve tension.³
• Yoga: Certain poses improve blood flow to the pelvic region and relax the muscles around the prostate.³

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight can increase the risk of BPH (enlarged prostate) and make symptoms worse. Losing extra weight through a healthy diet and exercise can help reduce prostate size and improve urinary issues. Focus on gradual and long-lasting weight loss by staying active and eating a balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.³

Hydrate Wisely

Staying hydrated is important, but drinking too much fluid, especially before bed, can make you need to urinate more during the night. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can irritate your bladder and make you feel the urge to go more often. Choose water or herbal teas instead.⁴

What is a good juice for the prostate? Pomegranate juice is good for prostate health because it's packed with antioxidants and natural compounds that can help reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage. Some studies suggest it may also help slow the progression of prostate cancer.⁵

Herbal Supplements and Remedies

Some natural supplements may help manage BPH symptoms. Before trying any supplement, it's important to talk to a healthcare professional to make sure it’s safe and won't interfere with other medications. Here are some options that may help:

• Saw Palmetto: Made from the berries of the saw palmetto plant, it can help reduce urinary issues caused by BPH due to its anti-inflammatory properties.⁶
• Pygeum: Extracted from the African plum tree, pygeum may improve urine flow and reduce prostate inflammation.⁷
• Prunus domestica Bark Extract: This extract has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that may support prostate health and help reduce BPH symptoms.⁸
• Milk Thistle: Known for its active compound silymarin, milk thistle may protect prostate cells from damage and reduce inflammation.⁹

Does zinc help with BPH?

The prostate gland stores zinc, which helps prevent it from getting bigger and may even help reduce the size of an already enlarged prostate.¹⁰

Stay Regular with Check-Ups

Natural methods can help manage BPH, but it's important to keep track of your condition with regular doctor visits. Catching any changes in your prostate health early can help prevent problems and guide the best treatment plan.

Risk factors for an enlarged prostate include:

• Getting older
• Having diabetes
• Being overweight
• A family history of BPH
• Having heart disease¹¹

Are you worried about prostate enlargement and find yourself needing to pee frequently, struggling to start or stop urination, or feeling like your bladder never quite empties? Try a vegan food supplement by VitalAbc. It is made with natural ingredients like Prunus domestica bark extract and milk thistle. Formulated using proprietary technology for high bioavailability and maximum absorption.   

Scientific Studies

1.The study tested Prunus domestica bark extract (Sitoprin, CR002) in male rats with testosterone-induced BPH. The results showed that the extract was very effective in reducing prostate enlargement, performing similarly to the well-known Prunus africana extract.¹²

2. In this study, researchers wanted to explore how the bark of different Prunus tree species could protect against BPH. They tested five Indian plants from the Rosaceae family—Prunus amygdalus, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus cerasoides, Prunus domestica, and Prunus persica—against the well-known P. africana to compare their effectiveness as treatments for BPH.¹³

Final Thoughts

You can manage BPH naturally by making small changes to your diet, exercise routine, stress levels, and using specific herbal remedies. These simple lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. Always talk to a healthcare provider to create a plan that works for you. By taking action, you can support your prostate health and enjoy a healthy, active life.

References

1.NCI. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms [Internet]. Cancer.gov. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 17]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia

2.Galan N. What foods are good for an enlarged prostate? [Internet]. Medicalnewstoday.com. Medical News Today; 2018 [cited 2024 Dec 17]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321079#foods-to-avoid

3.GPI. Georgia Prostate Institute [Internet]. Georgia Prostate Institute. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 17]. Available from: https://www.gaprostate.com/patient-resources/prostate-exercises/

4.Medline Plus. Urinating more at night: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2016 [cited 2024 Dec 17]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003141.htm

5.Paller CJ, A Pantuck, Carducci MA. A review of pomegranate in prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases [Internet]. 2017 Apr 25 [cited 2024 Dec 17];20(3):265–70. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5555799/

6.Fagelman E, Lowe FC. Saw Palmetto Berry as a Treatment for BPH. Reviews in Urology [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 17];3(3):134. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1476047/

7.Wilt TJ, Areef Ishani. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane library [Internet]. 1998 Jan 26 [cited 2024 Dec 17]; Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7032619/#:~:text=Pygeum%20africanum%20is%20one%20of,caused%20by%20an%20enlarged%20prostate.

8.Jena AK, Vasisht K, Sharma N, Kaur R, Dhingra MS, Karan M. Amelioration of testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia by Prunus species. Journal of Ethnopharmacology [Internet]. 2016 May 25 [cited 2024 Dec 17];190:33–45. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S037887411630335X

9.Emadi SA, Mahboobeh Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, Soghra Mehri, Hosseinzadeh H. A review of therapeutic potentials of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) and its main constituent, silymarin, on cancer, and their related patents. DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) [Internet]. 2022 Oct 1 [cited 2024 Dec 17];25(10):1166–76. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9588316/

10.Sauer AK, Vela H, Vela G, Stark P, Barrera-Juarez E, Grabrucker AM. Zinc Deficiency in Men Over 50 and Its Implications in Prostate Disorders. Frontiers in Oncology [Internet]. 2020 Aug 6 [cited 2024 Dec 17];10. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7424038/

11.Huizen J. How to shrink the prostate naturally [Internet]. Medicalnewstoday.com. Medical News Today; 2018 [cited 2024 Dec 17]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321231#risks

12.Swaroop A, Bagchi M, Kumar P, Preuss HG, Bagchi D. Safety and efficacy of a novel Prunus domestica extract (Sitoprin, CR002) on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in male Wistar rats. Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods [Internet]. 2015 Aug 31 [cited 2024 Dec 17];25(9):653–64. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26337762/

13.Jena AK, Vasisht K, Sharma N, Kaur R, Dhingra MS, Karan M. Amelioration of testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia by Prunus species. Journal of Ethnopharmacology [Internet]. 2016 May 25 [cited 2024 Dec 17];190:33–45. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27235020/