Prostate health problems are common in old men worldwide. The prostate gland grows with age. So, it is common for men over 50 years old to experience prostate issues. However, not all prostate problems are life-threatening, except prostate cancer.
Still, prostate issues such as ejaculation and painful urination can affect the quality of life. Therefore, people use prostate health supplements to help reduce the symptoms related to prostate issues. But do these supplements work? Continue reading…
Let’s first understand prostate health, its importance, and how prostate supplements can help support a healthy prostate.
Understanding Prostate Health
The prostate is a small gland that looks like a walnut and is found below the bladder. It’s a male reproductive organ whose major work is to produce semen. Also, the prostate plays a crucial role in the urinary system.
Despite its small size, it causes big health problems if not taken care of properly. Here are the 2 major prostate problems that can create serious problems - Prostate Cancer and Enlarged Prostate.
Prostate Cancer
It is one of the fourth top causes of male death worldwide. Prostate cancer includes ethnicity, geography, family history, and gene changes. Factors like smoking, diet, and sexually transmitted infections can occur as a result of developing prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer may be asymptomatic in the initial days. But commonly prostate problems have these symptoms:
- Painful urination and ejaculation
- Erectile dysfunction
- A frequent need to urinate
- Mid night urination
- Pain in the hips and lower back
Enlarged Prostate
It is also known as Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It leads to lower urinary tract symptoms. It generally occurs in older men. The reason is not clear, but it may happen due to a reduction in hormone testosterone as men get older. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) makes it difficult for men to pee and ejaculate. Why? Because the prostate enlargement presses on the urethra and interferes with urination and ejaculate release.
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Why Prostate Health Matters
Impact On Urinary Health:
As earlier mentioned prostate enlargement disrupts urination flow, causes frequent urination, weak urine stream, difficulty in starting and stopping urination, and the feeling of incomplete urination. All these symptoms result in discomfort and reduce the quality of daily life.
Influence On Sexual Health:
Prostate health impacts sexual health a lot. As you know the main work of the prostate gland is to produce seminal fluid which is necessary for sperm motility and fertility. This can lead to sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and painful ejaculation issues. Hence, to maintain sexual health and reproductive function, maintaining prostate health is crucial.
General Well-Being And Quality Of Life:
If you don't stay healthy and feel discomfort in your day-to-day life, your mental and emotional health will be affected as well. This can result in stress, depression, and anxiety. However, you can try two ways to support your healthy prostate.
- First is to take a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and reduce smoking & alcohol consumption.
- The second is to go for prostate health supplements as well.
However, there are different opinions about prostate supplements in the market. Many claim that they help reduce the symptoms related to prostate issues. Let’s understand whether they actually work or not.
Do Prostate Supplements Work?
Prostate supplements are not magic. They simply contain those vitamins can support a healthy prostate.
Vitamin D, B6, or B12 deficiencies are very common in older men. Prostate health supplements simply help to make up for these vitamin deficiencies. Some of the ingredients found in supplements are said to slow the growth of prostate cancer.
Here are some popular prostate supplements:
- Saw Palmetto: It reduces symptoms of BPH. Some studies say saw palmetto has the potential to reduce prostate issues while some research says it is safe but not effective.
- Zinc: It is essential for prostate function. Some NCBI studies found it effective but others showed some doubts.
- Vitamin E: A study on over 35000 healthy men, it is found that vitamin E may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Researchers wrote - "The 17% increase in prostate cancer incidence shows that even seemingly harmless vitamins can cause harm.”
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To Sum Up…
Maintaining prostate health is crucial for overall well-being, impacting urinary and sexual function, as well as general quality of life. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices form the foundation of a healthy prostate. Supplements, such as saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, pygeum, zinc, and vitamin D, can offer additional support, but it is vital to choose them wisely and consult healthcare professionals.
Regular health check-ups and early detection are key to maintaining a healthy prostate. Take charge of your prostate health today and make informed choices to support your well-being.