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BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH)
Written by Slawomir Gromadzki, MPH
Benign enlargement of the prostate gland called also benign prostatic hyperplasia or hypertrophy (BPH) is a very common problem especially among older men. Fortunately, it isn’t caused by cancer and it doesn’t even increase the risk of developing prostate cancer but it should be treated as it causes many unpleasant symptoms. It is estimated that 50 percent of men by 50 years of age, 60 percent by age 60, and 80 percent by age 70 have clinically significant BPH.
SYMPTOMS
Since the prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and because at the same time it surrounds urethra its enlargement imposes pressure on both the bladder and the urethra. As a result men who suffer from BPH experience many unpleasant symptoms such as painful and frequent urination (also at night), weak flow of urine, etc.
CAUSES
Scientists and medical professionals tend to say it’s not known why the prostate gets bigger as we get older. When a man asks a physician what causes the enlargement he is usually told that it is just a natural process associated with ageing.
Fortunately there are some sincere physicians and scientists who feel obliged to find and reveal the truth about possible causes of the benign enlargement of the prostate gland. One of them is Prof. Parsons who on the basis his own research wrote the following statement:
“Although age, genetics, and sex steroid hormones play prominent roles in the cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms, recent epidemiological studies suggest that modifiable lifestyle factors also contribute substantially to the pathogenesis of these conditions. Lifestyle and metabolic factors include obesity, diabetes, and meat and fat consumption. Factors associated with decreased risks include physical activity and vegetable consumption.” Please compare the above scientific statement and other clear data included in this article with the following information I copied from the NHS website:
Strangely NHS keeps quiet about possible dietary and lifestyle risks linked to BPH!
Another physician who somehow seems to know what NHS and other medical professionals don’t know, is Dr John McDougall. After researching numerous scientific data dealing with possible causes and risk factors associated with BPH he expressed his opinion in an article which appeared on his webpage in October 2010:
“Decades of overstimulation of the prostate, excess of growth hormones (IGF-1) and male hormones, leads to overgrowth of cells of the prostate gland. The over-consumption of dietary protein causes IGF-1 levels to rise. Beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese, and milk increase IGF-1 levels. Even vegetarians need to be careful because isolated soy proteins, like those found in fake soy meats and cheeses, have a powerful effect on raising IGF-1 levels. A low-fat, high-fiber diet decreases prostate-growth-stimulating male hormones. Furthermore, a healthy low-fat, unrefined plant-based diet and daily aerobic exercise reverses all hormone imbalances and excesses, preventing the development of BPH. A recent study comparing two populations of Chinese men (Han and Mongolian) found BPH to be almost twice as common in the Mongolians, who consumed more meat and dairy, than in the Hans. An article in the April 2002 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a causal association between BPH and the intake of more calories, total protein, animal protein, and vegetable fat. A study from Greece showed that consumption of butter and margarine increases the risk of BPH and that fruit intake reduces this risk.”
Well, it looks like the key cause of BPH is not the ageing process but again unhealthy refined and high in animal foods diet and bad lifestyle! And since we know what are the key cause we can easily figure out how to prevent and treat the problem!
According to the above statement the “decades of overstimulation of the prostate” also contributes to BPH. This overstimulation is caused by excessive sexual practices.
Studies demonstrated that both BPH and also prostate cancer are associated with zinc deficiency. And the key causes of zinc deficiency is refined and deprived of zinc diet and frequent masturbation or other excessive sexual practices that lead to overstimulation of prostate gland and testicles as well as to zinc deficiency. Zinc is an integral part of the male hormonal system, and a key ingredient of the semen as it plays a major role in the production of sperm. For this reason chronic masturbation and other excessive sexual practices lead to a huge zinc deficiency.
EXCESS OESTROGEN AS ONE OF THE KEY CAUSES OF BPH
High estradiol levels in men can result in increased proliferation of the prostate gland (enlarged prostate) which leads to difficulties in urination. “BPH is a multifactorial disease and not all men respond well to currently available treatments, suggesting factors other than androgens are involved. Testosterone, the primary circulating androgen in men, can also be metabolized into the potent estrogen, estradiol-17β. The prostate is an estrogen target tissue and estrogens directly and indirectly affect growth and differentiation of prostate. Estrogens have been shown to promote or inhibit prostate proliferation signifying potential roles in BPH. Recent research has demonstrated that estrogen receptor signaling pathways may be important in the development and maintenance of BPH.” (>)
There are many causes of excess oestrogen in men including stress (too much cortisol stimulates oestrogen levels in men), on the other hand low cortisol (adrenal fatigue) in men by contributing to testicular insufficiency may increase estradiol production. Other causes involve caffeine and alcohol consumption, drinking unfiltered properly tap water (often contaminated with oestradiol), foods and water contaminated with certain chemicals from plastic containers that increase oestrogen, medication (such as warfarin, beta-blockers, calcium channel-blockers, amiodarone, quinidine, spironolactone or thiazide diuretics), xenoestrogens frequently enter the body through animal foods such as meat and dairy products that come from “hormonally-enhanced” animals, tight underwear (increases the temperature of the testes reducing testosterone production and increasing estradiol production), overweight and obesity, estradiol transferred through the skin from partner who is on topical estrogen therapy), etc. In addition, testosterone itself in men gets converted to estrogen via aromatase activity or DHT via 5-alpha-reductase activity. Testosterone levels decrease and the relative increase in estrogen to testosterone gives the effect of excess estrogen.
A very interesting title of an article published in the Canadian Press on November 14, 2011, suggests that estradiol – powerful female synthetic sex hormone present in tap water may greatly increase the risk of BPH and prostate cancer in men: “Estrogen In Drinking Water & Prostate Cancer Deaths Linked In New Study.” The article states that “According to a study by Dr David Margel and his team from Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, estrogen in birth-control pills is excreted in the urine and gets into water, and scientific evidence suggests that low levels may cause cancer, including prostate cancer.” Also, Dr John Lee seems to agree with the role of estrogen in increasing the risk of prostate cancer. In his book Hormone Balance for Men, he stated that apart from dihydrotestosterone (DHT), it is estrogen dominance that leads to both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. He disagrees with the common idea according to which testosterone contributes to prostate cancer. He explains that men tend to develop prostate problems when estrogen levels are rising and testosterone levels are dropping. Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by testicles and the prostate gland needs testosterone to function properly. It was very common to believe that higher blood testosterone levels increase the risk of prostate cancer. But, in 2008 a group of researchers carefully analysed 18 separate studies and found no link between prostate cancer risk and higher levels of testosterone. After careful analysis of hundreds of studies, Dr Morgentaler was surprised when he discovered that there was no convincing evidence that high testosterone levels increased the risk of prostate cancer. As a matter of fact, the very opposite was true. He found out that the more severely testosterone deficient men were the greater was the risk of developing prostate cancer! The androgen hypothesis was commonly accepted before the role of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was understood. The PSA is a protein biomarker detected in the blood and tissue biopsies which indicates an increased probability that cancer is present in the prostate. Besides, if high testosterone does contribute to prostate cancer growth, it should be more common among younger men whose testosterone levels are much higher. But the cancer is prevalent among older men with low testosterone. On the other hand, some suggest that even if Dr Morgentaler’s conclusion is right it is not a good idea to boost testosterone levels in men who are already diagnosed as prostate cancer cells have a much higher number of receptors than healthy cells and they use testosterone it to increase the growth rate.
TREATMENT
Try to reduce the estrogen levels using the following recommendations:
– Avoid bisphenols present in canned foods and water stored in plastic bottles.
– Avoid environmental sources of estrogens (xenoestrogens) found pesticides, shaving creams, fabric softeners, tap water (drink only distilled water), air fresheners, laundry soaps, etc.
– Avoid tap water (contaminated with estradiol, chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, etc.) and drink only distilled water >.
– Avoid or significantly reducing consumption of animal foods (dairy, eggs and especially meat products) as animals are often treated with estrogens to increase weight.
– Build muscle tissue (without steroids) as increasing muscle tissue and exercise boost testosterone which opposes the effects of estrogen.
– Avoid antibiotics (metronidazole ketoconazole) and drugs such as Valium, Xanax, Tagamet, Zantac, Lanoxin, Norvasc, or any drugs that increase levels of estrogen or decrease levels of testosterone.
– Burn belly fat. It is important because testosterone is converted to estrogen in belly fat. This is the reason why men develop boobs along with increasing belly fat.
Read OESTROGEN HIGH >
KEY SUPPLEMENTS AND HERBAL REMEDIES
In addition try to use as many of the following remedies as possible:
– Eat one tablespoon of ground gold flaxseed three times a day with meals.
– Clean greens powder (Pukka) – 3 x a day 1 heaped teaspoon 30 min before meals or Chlorella (Pukka) – 2 x a day 10 tab. 30 min before breakfast and before lunch. Use them both alternately one after another.
– One of the best formulas I know to deal with prostate enlargement is the Prostavital Capsules by HealthAid >. It includes many key ingredients (Saw Palmetto, Nettle, Pumpkin seed oil, Zinc, Pygeum Africanum bark, Selenium, Vit E, Lycopene, Vit C, Vit B6, etc.) which proved to be very beneficial in this condition.
For such a little gland, the prostate seems to cause a lot of concern. Health problems associated with prostate, including especially enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, and prostatitis, are extremely common. Many men from the age of 30 and over can develop prostate problems involving inflammation, urinary problems, erectile dysfunction, and pain. It is therefore very important to support proper function of this gland with a well-designed nutritional supplement.
Prostavital capsules contain a unique combination of broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, micro elements, antioxidants, and herbal extract that have been skilfully combined to support male health, including especially prostate function, but also normal urinary flow, reproductive and sexual function, heart health, immunity, and general well-being.
– Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, testosterone levels in the blood, strong immunity and brain function. Prostate cannot function properly without zinc as it contains more zinc than any other organ in the body. Many man suffering from different prostate problems reported improvement and even reduction of the size of enlarged prostate after taking zinc supplements.
– Saw palmetto is a type of berry rich in plant sterols, essential fatty acids, and flavonoids. Research suggests that these active ingredients can help to shrink the inner lining of the prostate by reducing the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which effect may in turn lower the pressure on tubes that carry urine.
– Pygeum Africanum bark has been used by people since ancient times to treat bladder problems. Modern research has repeatedly demonstrated protective action of this herb against proliferation of abnormal prostate cells. It has been also known to be beneficial for men with enlarged prostate and urinary problems.
– Stinging Nettle extract soothes the urinary tract and helps reduce obstruction of urinary flow. It has also been shown in European studies to support prostate function. In a 2005 six-month trial including over 600 patients, 80% of those on stinging nettle reported improved lower urinary tract symptoms.
– Lycopene is the most important protective carotenoid and antioxidant naturally found in red tomatoes. Research has shown that it helps protect the prostate from damaging free radicals and promotes healthy prostate function.
– Pumpkin seed oil has been long used in a folk medicine for prostate health. Research shows it may help reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, relax bladder and improve urinary flow.
– Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis and immune system function. Its deficiency has been associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer.
– Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants that reduce the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. They also promote strong immune system.
– Vitamin B6 makes urination easier and helps prevent swelling. Studies from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggest that prostate cancer patients who take Vitamin B6 supplements have higher survival rates. In a study of the dietary habits of 525 men with prostate cancer, taken over the course of 20 years, the men with the highest intake of about 3 mg/day of Vitamin B6 – had the best survival results.
– Magnesium not only promotes normal sleep and healthy nervous system and brain function, but is also used to relax muscles including bladder. Therefore, magnesium deficiency, which is very common today, leads to excessive contractions or spasms of the bladder making it overactive and often imitating symptoms of enlarged prostate. Dr Joseph Favier discovered that by giving magnesium to patients with BPH he was significantly reducing their nocturnal urinations and urine retention. In one study researchers also noted that in patients who managed to increase magnesium levels PSA levels dropped significantly.
– Amino acids L-Alanine and L-Glutamic Acid are needed for maintaining normal prostate function. One study found that supplementation with L-Alanine, L-Glutamic Acid and L-Glycine, reduced symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, including reduced urgency and night-time urination.
– Chromium by helping maintain normal blood sugar levels is also important for prostate health as research suggests a higher risk of prostate disorders associated with high blood sugar levels.
– Zinc: 20 – 30 mg after breakfast (if Prostavital is taken there is no need for additional zinc as it contains it). Just as the thyroid requires iodine and the bones must be provided with organic calcium, the prostate cannot function properly without zinc. As a matter of fact prostate contains more zinc than any other organ in the body. Taking into consideration the fact that soil today is depleted not only of magnesium, selenium or chromium but also zinc and remembering that most of the people consume refined products which are deprived of zinc you definitely need to take zinc in the form of a supplement (picolinate, citrate or gluconate). If your diet is unrefined and healthy you may need only 5 to 10 mg a day but otherwise take 30 to 50 mg a day only after breakfast or another meals. Many man suffering from different prostate problems reported improvement and even reduction of the size of enlarged prostate after taking zinc supplements. Make sure you include the zinc-rich foods in your diet: pumpkin seeds, nuts, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, molasses, brewer’s yeast, garlic, onions, or pulses.
Prostate Enlargement Reduced With Magnesium Chloride
A French Doctor by the name of Dr Joseph Favier discovered that by giving magnesium chloride tablets to men with enlarged prostate (BPH) their nocturnal urinations was significantly reduced and that after urination the urine retention problems were minimised. One patient who had complete urine retention and who was scheduled for operation was given four tablets (2000mg) of magnesium chloride. As a result he was able to urinate, the operation was cancelled and he was sent home. After that experience the patient had no more trouble as long as he continued to take magnesium chloride supplement.
The best form of magnesium chloride supplementation is oil (liquid or spray). To make oil magnesium chloride is dissolved in hot distilled water until saturation point is reached (water will absorb no more magnesium chloride).
The best method of introducing magnesium chloride into the body is not by swallowing it but by spraying the oil under the tongue or applying it to soft areas of the skin, such as underarms, thighs, or belly. Magnesium chloride is much better absorbed from under the tongue or through the skin because it gets directly into the blood stream avoiding digestive tract. When magnesium chloride is swallowed it has to go through the stomach and liver before it is absorbed into the blood which carries it to the cells all over the body.
Nagari (Nigari) flakes – used in Japan to make tofu from soya milk – is magnesium chloride.
Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom salts) is not the same thing, nor does it work the same way.
– Qian Lie Tong Pian. It is a well known Chinese herbal remedy used to treat prostatitis and inflammations of the prostate gland. It includes the following ingredients: Radix Astragali, Semen Plantaginis, Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis. In Poland I recommended this formula to many customers with very good results. It is very helpful in reducing symptoms of prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), frequent urination, etc. It improves blood circulation, decreases inflammation, supports the urinary system and helps maintain a healthy prostate. Dosage: 6 tablets 3 times per day for 30-45 days treatment course, chronic cases may require a longer course of treatment. After every month of treatment it is good to have one week break. After 3 months one whole month beak. Manufacturer: Guangzhou ZhongYi Pharm Co.
– Standardized Saw palmetto berry (Serenoa repens) extract or Saw palmetto complex (includes also zinc and nettle) (present in Prostavital by HealthAid). There are numerous studies demonstrating effectiveness of this remedy.
– Bee Propolis, Nettle extract, Cat’s claw (5000 mg) and Pau d’Arco are very helpful in treating BPH.
– Vitamin D3 – 50,000 IU a day for the first 2 months and 30,000 IU a day after that for 6 months. Reduce to 10-20,000 IU during summer time. You must take Vitamin D3 because almost all people in the UK are deficient in Vitamin D! While using vitamin D3 supplements always remember to take also well absorbed magnesium (such as citrate) as vitamin D supplements lead to magnesium deficiency over time. If you can’t afford higher doses take at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day with meal. But since deficiency of this vitamin is so widespread (especially in the UK) it would be better to take 20,000 to 30,000 IU a day with meals with appropriate doses of magnesium. Children need lower doses of D3 of course. Another requirement for proper absorption of vitamin D is 200 mcg of Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Derived from Natural Natto) a day. Read more about vitamin D >
The most important way of obtaining vitamin D is of course through regular sun exposures during summer time between 10am and 2pm. Vitamin D has properties that defend against cell injury caused via free radicals and it affects detoxification pathways which are of importance in disc cell nutritional balance. Vitamin D also affects sensory neurons to modulate pain, influences neuron excitability and acts at the level of substantia gelatinosa and spinal ganglion in the process of sensory perception.
Since vitamin D supplements lead to magnesium deficiency, and because according to recent studies almost every in the UK person is now deficient not only in vitamin D but also magnesium, you must take 400 to 800mg of good quality magnesium every day.
– Magnesium citrate or another well absorbed magnesium such as mentioned above magnesium chloride oil or spray: 2 times a day 200-400 mg between meals. The more vitamin D3 is used the more magnesium must be taken as D3 leads to magnesium deficiency.
– Good quality multivitamin-mineral formula (high in B vitamins): 1 tablet after breakfast. Please do not buy cheap formulas as their potency is very low and they contain only short list of inorganic ingredients. It must be a good quality formula such as Healthy Mega (HealthAid), VM75 (Solgar) or Special Two (NOW Foods) which are an excellent multi-vitamin and mineral formulas fortified with alfalfa powder, rutin, citrus bioflavonoids, bromelain, herbs, digestive enzymes and many other super nutrients. If your diet is very healthy and you stay away from refined foods, sugar and stimulants then take only 1/2 tablet after breakfast.
– Since Vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folate) play very important role in dealing with any health problem I recommand getting B complex with a good quality multivitamin-mineral formula which is high in B vitamins. One of my favourite ones is Healthy Mega (HealthAid) as it is not only high in B vitamins and at the same time it contains zinc, selenium, herbs, digestive enzymes, micronutrients, and few super grasses. Compared with other popular formulas Healthy mega may contain even up to 60 times more vitamins per tablet!
Adults may take 1 tablet of Healthy Mega after breakfast, children 1/2 tablet (or less) crushed and mixed with juice after breakfast.
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
The most important part of the treatment is living according to the principles and recommendations I included in the HEALTH RECOVERY PLAN > and the EMPOWERMENT > as in this way you will deal with the causes of the prostate cancer.
– Eliminate animal-based foods and instead go on the plant-based unrefined 50 % raw diet (Hallelujah Diet is the most effective one). At the same time increase consumption of raw vegetable juices, vegetable smoothies and salads, fresh fruits, pulses, and soaked overnight in distilled water pumpkin seeds and other soaked seeds and nuts. By only lowering the intake of animal foods you won’t achieve the same results as being on totally plant-based diet but I believe you will still reduce the symptoms of BPH.
– Cold-pressed vegetable juices (beets, carrot, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, etc.) – 1 glass every hour or 3 glasses 3 x a day. Read about amazing anticancer properties and other benefits of vegetable juices >
– No sugar or products that include sugar, glucose, fructose, artificial sweeteners.
– No stimulants (chocolate, cocoa powder, coffee, tea, cola, alcohol, smoking, etc.)
OTHER IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
– Try to drink all your distilled water and vegetable juices by 6 pm to reduce the frequency of urination at night.
– To relax prostate gland and dilate the urethra sit in hot water for about 15 – 30 minutes before going to bed. Make very cold compress on forehead and neck during the bath and if you sweat drink water to avoid dehydration. End up the treatment with cold shower. This treatment should help you to reduce the need to visit toilet at night. Read about water treatments to avoid mistakes >
– Hot and cold applications on whole body in the form of hot and cold alternative showers every morning and evening! >
– A simple massage of the prostate in the morning and evening may be also very helpful in relieving symptoms and delaying or preventing surgery.
– You must always think positive and be free from fear as fear and anxiety. The only way to experience true peace and freedom from fear is through the gospel. Every day carefully read (or listen to) one chapter from the book Steps to Christ and Desire of Ages by Ellen White >.
– To understand how important role mental health plays in preventing and treating cancer try to read a chapter Mind Healing from the book Ministry of Healing by Ellen White.
Read also about PROSTATE CANCER
REFERENCES & SOURCES
– Parsons JK. (2011). “Lifestyle factors, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and lower urinary tract symptoms.” Curr Opin Urol. 2011 Jan;21(1):1-4. doi: 10.1097/MOU.0b013e32834100c9.
– Indian J Urol. 2011 Jan-Mar; 27(1): 14–18. doi: 10.4103/0970-1591.78405. Zinc status of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma. Pamela Christudoss, R. Selvakumar, Joseph J. Fleming, and Ganesh Gopalakrishnan.
– http://www.naturalnews.com/025265_zinc_Prostate_testosterone.html
– Veronique Nicolas, Jean Pierre Riffaud, Francoise Bellamy (1997) Antiproliferative Effect of Pygeum Africanum Extract on Rat Prostatic Fibroblasts. The Journal of Urology, June 1997Volume 157, Issue 6, Pages 2381–2387
– Papaioannou M et al. (2010) NBBS isolated from Pygeum africanum bark exhibits androgen antagonistic activity, inhibits AR nuclear translocation and prostate cancer cell growth. Invest New Drugs 2010 Dec; 28(6): 729-43
– Lopatkin N et al. (2007) Efficacy and safety of a combination of Sabal and Urtica extract in lower urinary tract symptoms… Int Urol Nephrol 2007; 39(4): 1137-46.
– Naomi E. Allen Ruth C. Travis Paul N. et al (2016) Selenium and Prostate Cancer: Analysis of Individual Participant Data From Fifteen Prospective Studies. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 108, Issue 11, 1 November 2016, djw153, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djw153
– Uroligia Internationalis, 2011, Inhibition of the experimental induction of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a possible role for fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook f.) seeds: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21709398
– Nutrition Research and Practice, 2009, Effects of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil in Korean men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20098586
– Mervyn Penny (2010) Prostate Enlargement Reduced With Magnesium: http://ezinearticles.com/?Prostate-Enlargement-Reduced-With-Magnesium&id=3694554
– Anita Pettersson (2011) Vitamin B6 increases survival in prostate cancer: http://usörebro.se/en/Treatments/Urology/Prostate-cancer/Vitamin-B6-increases-survival-in-prostate-cancer/
– Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Prostate-Enlargement-Reduced-With-Magnesium&id=3694554
© 2016 Slawomir Gromadzki – All Rights Reserved
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