The prostate gland is a gland about the size of a walnut that surrounds that urethra. It is a part of the male reproductive system, and its primary function is to secrete a white or milky fluid that makes up 30% of semen. In addition, it contains muscles that aid in the expulsion of seminal fluid during ejaculation.
In some men, the prostate gland can become enlarged as a result of the abnormal division and multiplication of the cells. This condition is known as enlarged prostate or benign prostatic enlargement, and it causes the gland to grow larger in size.
If you have an enlarged prostate, your urethra and the surrounding organs are negatively impacted. You may encounter various discomforts, including:
- The need to urinate more frequently
- Have a weaker urine stream
- Difficulties completely emptying your bladder
- Urinary tract infections
To avoid these problems, you should find ways to naturally shrink your prostate back down to its normal size. Here are the things that you should do:
1. Eat the right kinds of foods
Your diet plays a big role in keeping your prostate healthy and happy. To get rid of the inflammation, you should introduce prostate-friendly foods to your diet. The following are examples of foods that are great for prostate health:
- Fish
Fish are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that can help fight off all sorts of infections and diseases that threaten your prostate and other vital organs. Furthermore, there was a study that found that fish contains a compound that has the ability to stop the spread of prostate cancer, and to keep your prostate in good condition.
- Oysters
Oysters are healthy seafood options that can boost your prostate health. They are overflowing with zinc, which is an essential nutrient that can greatly benefit your prostate. With higher levels of zinc in the body, your enlarged prostate can be shrunk, and your reproductive system can be taken good care of.
- Vegetables
Vegetables are superfoods that contain high concentrations of antioxidants that can protect your prostate from cancer and other dangers. They are rich in a variety of essential vitamin and minerals too that are effective in keeping not only your prostate and reproductive system in tip-top condition but also your heart, kidneys, lungs, brains, and other body parts.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an excellent source of natural substances that have cancer-killing properties. If you eat tomatoes daily, you can supply your body tons of potent elements that can create a protective shield around your prostate, and lower the risk of enlargement, cancer, and other problems.
- Walnuts
Walnuts are loaded with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cancer of the prostate. In addition, they are good food options for people having problems with their blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels, as well as those who are overweight or obese and trying to lose weight.
2. Start a regular exercise routine
Exercising on a regular basis can offer a lot of health benefits. It has been proven to be a great way to keep the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system in fantastic condition, allowing for the efficient circulation and flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body. It is also recommended for muscle and bone building, strength and stamina enhancement, and mental and immune function boost.
Your prostate can also benefit from regular exercise. Certain studies found that men who did regular moderate to vigorous workouts showed a decreased risk of enlarged prostate by as much as 25%, while those that remained sedentary or only did light workout routines showed nonsignificant changes.
For optimal prostate health, you should do resistance exercises and aerobic exercises. Some good examples are pushups, squat thrusts, chin-ups, lunges, sit-ups, running, brisk walking, and swimming. Nature and outdoor activities like hiking and cross-country skiing are also great for your prostate.
3. Manage your hormone levels
In men, hormones, particularly testosterone, naturally decline with age. Usually, this occurs after age 30 or 40, when there is a 1% decrease in testosterone production each year. Because testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, having low testosterone levels in the body can lead to an imbalance that can trigger some serious sexual health problems.
Once testosterone production in the body drops, men may experience reduced bone and muscle strength, increased body fat, reduced sex drive, low energy levels, and erectile problems. They may also develop poor prostate health, and experience inflammation or enlargement of the prostate.
To protect against these, you should do your best to keep your testosterone levels up. Go to a doctor to find the best treatment solutions for low testosterone. You may be prescribed testosterone supplements or boosters to increase your testosterone, or be advised to start living a healthy lifestyle by eating more testosterone-boosting foods like milk, eggs, shellfish, oysters, tuna, almond, spinach, salmon, and lemons.
4. Try some natural home remedies
There are numerous plants and herbs that contain essential nutrients that can aid in managing prostate health. Some examples are:
- Saw palmetto
This is a type of herb that has been used in the field of alternative medicine for several centuries now, and it is effective in providing relief for urinary issues, including problems that arise due to an enlarged prostate.
- Rye grass pollen extract
This is a mixture consists of three types of grass: rye, corn, and timothy. There was a study that found that men who took this natural supplement experienced improved nighttime symptoms of an enlarged prostate compared to those who took a placebo.
- Pygeum
This is an herbal medicine that comes from the African plum tree. It has been used as an alternative medication since the ancient times to treat various health problems. In Europe, it has been used often to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which include trouble starting urination, more frequent urination at night, and weak urine stream that stops and starts.
