Let's talk about the prostate

We don't usually talk about prostate health, and I am so sorry about that.

We usually wait until something bad happens or until someone gets older, but as a provider, I will do better. Because we now know that prostate health is something to work on as early as your 20s.

What Does the Prostate Do?

But what is even the point of a prostate?

The prostate's main function is to produce a fluid that makes up semen, along with other fluids and sperm from the testicles.

For all my fellas who want to have children and even if you don't, you need to make sure your prostate is on point. Unfortunately, one of the most common conditions I'm seeing that affects the prostate is BPH, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The Reality of BPH

It usually affects older men, so we think, but there are so many younger men dealing with it too.

And who's to say that problem doesn't start when you're younger?

I mean, who would know if we aren't checking for it until our men turn 40 to 45 years old?

But either way, there are too many men being affected by this condition for us not to pay attention to it.

It's the fourth most common diagnosis in older men and potentially, 90% of men will have an enlarged prostate by 80 years old.

In a world full of 90%, be the 10.

A Preventative Approach

I've been looking deeper into this condition over the past couple of weeks because it's something I want to teach my son about in the near future so we can prevent it. You know, before you get it...

and even though science acts like it doesn't know where BPH comes from, you don't have to wait until they get answers. It's not something you have to live with.

Because I am going to tell you how you can lower your risk with naturopathy.

Understanding BPH: A Naturopathic Perspective

So if we are looking at BPH from a naturopathic and functional medicine perspective, it is possibly due to:

Hormonal changes like an imbalance of DHT and estrogen
Increased cellular growth factors
Genetics, having diabetes, metabolic syndrome, being obese, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress

Do you want to know what most of these risk factors are due to?

Chronic stress and inadequate stress management
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular exercise
A diet high in processed, fatty, and inflammatory foods
Exposure to toxins through smoking and recreational substances
Excessive alcohol consumption
Disrupted sleep patterns, especially during critical recovery hours (10 PM - 3 AM)

Lifestyle Factors Affecting Prostate Health

Let's dig deeper. The simple lifestyle choices that you are making may be increasing the risk of prostate inflammation, cancer, and swelling. This includes:

1. Stress may increase DHT and estrogen levels, stimulate prostate cell growth, and increase inflammation.

2. Lack of exercise because it may contribute to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes — all risk factors for prostate enlargement. Sedentariness also reduces circulation, potentially allowing toxins to accumulate in tissues and promote inflammation.

3. Poor diet (fatty, greasy, processed foods) may lead to obesity, increase inflammation, lack antioxidants, and disrupt hormonal balance, affecting prostate health.

4. Inhaling toxins (from weed and tobacco) introduce harmful substances, increase oxidative stress, contributes to chronic inflammation, and potentially disrupts hormonal balance.

and

5. Poor sleep habits (not recovering during important hours) disrupt hormonal balance, increase stress and inflammation, and impair cellular repair and regeneration.

And how many of those are outside of your control?

None of them.

All of these can be changed.

So now that you know this, you can't turn back...

Natural Solutions for Prostate Health

So whether you do or don't have prostate issues, you can start better lifestyle choices to lower your risk for prostate issues.

Also, if you are a man, old or young, you can utilize herbs and nutrients to protect your prostate.

Herbs to help you reduce prostate inflammation and the symptoms of weak stream, too much peeing at night, and going too often are saw palmetto, pygeum, and stinging nettle root.

Foods that you can eat to protect your prostate from inflammation are berries, watermelon, pumpkin seeds, and algae oil.

To protect the prostate, you can also make sure you are getting enough zinc, vitamin D, and selenium-rich foods, but if not, consider a supplement that contains all of those.

Listen, now that you know this... I don't want to hear about you in the doctor's office with that issue.