Although it is relatively common, especially as men age, one subject that continues to be a bit taboo among those dear members of society with an XY chromosome pattern is prostate problems.

But not talking about the problems won’t make them go away and only increases a man’s risk of serious disease or even death.

Here’s a sobering statistic:  Prostate cancer is the #1 most common cancer in males living in the US. 

In addition, once a man reaches age 40, he has an increasing risk of facing prostate problems, with 50 to 60 percent of men in their 60s, and 80 to 90 percent of men over 70 having some kind of issue.

So guys…let’s put all that discomfort and uneasiness aside and have a frank discussion about prostate health, and how you can stack the deck in your favor to keep yours as healthy and viable as possible. 

The top 3 prostate problems

The top 3 problems that can arise with the prostate are:

• Enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
• Infection (prostatitis)
• Prostate cancer

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) results when testosterone in a man’s body converts to a highly active form and stimulates the prostate to grow larger. 

While the key word here is “benign” meaning that BPH is not cancerous and in most cases not dangerous, it can be a nuisance because as the prostate gets bigger, it pushes on the urethra and can result in an increased frequency of urination and/or waking up at night having to go.

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that can cause a wide variety of symptoms including:

• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Sense of urgency to urinate
• Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back
• Pain or discomfort in the penis or testicles
• Pain during orgasm
• Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, nausea, vomiting)

Although a small percentage of prostatitis cases (about 5 percent or less) are due to bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics, the cause of the vast majority of cases is unknown.

And last but not least, there’s prostate cancer.  Although any form of cancer is concerning, prostate cancer typically grows very slowly, so most men that develop it won’t die from it. 

You talkin’ to me?

Most men that have prostate issues are pretty well aware that something’s not right, but here is a quiz you can take to better assess where you might stand.

Answer the questions below using the following rating system:

0 = Never
1 = Mild; rarely
2 = Moderate; occasionally
3 = Severe; frequently

How often and how severely do you experience the following symptoms?

Your total score: ________________

Scoring interpretation:

1--2: Prostate problems are unlikely
3--5: Prostate problems are possible
6 or more: Prostate problems are likely

Do your part!

If you suspect that something may be going on with your prostate, by all means see a doctor.

Depending on what may be going on, tests you receive may include a digital rectal exam, ultrasound, urine test, or a PSA test.

But you have to DO YOUR PART too!

And that means doing all you can to help enhance the health of your prostate if you do have problems, or to help keep yours healthy for years and years to come!

Here are some helpful measures to consider:

1- Have a healthy diet

The rate of prostate cancer is higher among men who eat a typical Western-type diet—meaning lots of unhealthy fats and refined carbs, and very little fiber.

Foods like these also lack antioxidants and nutrients that are essential for strong prostate health.

Plus an unhealthy diet also creates acid wastes which breed inflammation—and can contribute to or worsen prostatitis. 

So it’s essential for the health of your prostate (and the rest of you too!) to have a diet of wholesome real foods that are rich in fiber and nutrients and limit your intake of unhealthy fats and refined carbs.  

2- Get enough Omega-3 essential fatty acids

Omega-3 fats are Nature’s anti-inflammatory, and a deficiency in them is a leading cause of all kinds of inflammatory issues (including prostate problems).  Unfortunately, the average person is low in these crucial fatty acids.

A large reason for this is our typical modern diet which is heavy on refined grains, vegetable oils and meats from corn-fed animals—all of which are loaded with inflammatory Omega-6 EFAs but are severely lacking anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fats.

So to help support prostate health (and keep inflammation low throughout your body) it's wise to replenish your Omega-3 supply with a top-quality fish oil supplement.

VitalMega-3 is a pure fish oil formula that delivers 1,200 mg of the EPA and DHA essential fatty acids you so desperately need in every daily 2-capsule serving, plus Vitamin E which has been shown to protect against prostate cancer.

3- Get enough Vitamin D

Research has shown that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer at an earlier age, and with a more aggressive progression.

Unfortunately, Vitamin D is a VERY common deficiency, especially this time of year when many people are indoors due to cold, snowy weather.

To make sure you have health-supporting levels of this crucial nutrient 365 days a year, our Optimum DK Formula with Fruitex-B is your ticket!  It provides a therapeutic 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D3, plus its nutrient partners Vitamins K1 and K2 and the mineral boron. 

4- Engage in regular exercise

Although it should not be a surprise at this point, in addition to the plethora of its other health benefits, regular exercise also significantly decreases your risk of prostate cancer.

5- Try saw palmetto

The herb saw palmetto has been shown to help improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. 

6- Do some Kegels

While Kegels are most often recommended for women to strengthen and support the uterus and vaginal area during pregnancy and after giving birth, men can do them too! 

Kegels can help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, thereby improving involuntary or abnormal urine loss for men with an enlarged prostate.

For men it’s easiest to do when urinating.  Once urine flow starts, contract the pelvic muscle, letting urine slow until it stops, wait 5-10 seconds, then release and let the urine flow resume.

Do all you can to help keep your prostate healthy well into your golden years!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia