Enlarged Prostate

             Although aging and hormonal changes are not as well-known in men as in women, changing hormone levels also affect men's health as they age.  Of particular interest is the role of the male hormone testosterone in prostate health.

     The prostate is a small, donut-shaped, chestnut, sized gland located. below the bladder. More importantly is that it surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine flows from the bladder.  If the prostate is enlarged (as hormonal imbalance may cause), it can push against the urethra, pinching it and causing it to narrow.  This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and this can result in a number of urinary problems, such as:

• an urgent feeling that you need to urinate;

• an increased frequency of urination, waking multiple times during the night to urinate;

• some difficulty when beginning to urinate;

• a urine stream that is weak and thin;

• difficulty stopping urinating, often followed by dribbles;

• a feeling that your bladder has not completely emptied; urinary retention; and

• if left untreated, BPH results in stagnant urinary residue, which can lead to infection and blockage of the bladder outlet, and prostatitis.  

  What to do: 

     Drink water:  Although the natural re-action to frequent and urgent urination is to cut back on fluid intake, this is a mistake.  You risk dehydration, and the likelihood of developing a bladder infection increases because your urine becomes stronger.  Drinking lots of fluid keeps the retained urine in the bladder fairly diluted and reduces the risk of bladder infection and dehydration.

     Change your diet: Caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic foods may irritate the prostate, and most doctors recommend either eliminating them or consuming very little of them.  Diets with emphasis on soy are helpful, as soy helps detoxify DHT

     Watch your weight: At least one study (American Journal of Epidemiology, December 1994) has shown that men with larger than a 43-inch (109 cm) waist are more than twice as likely to have enlarged prostates.

     Avoid decongestants and antihistamines: Many over the counter drugs carry warnings in fine print not to use them if you have an enlarged prostate or BPH.  These medications appear to cause the prostate to contract, which decreases urine flow.  There is also some evidence that these tend to make the prostatic secretion thicker and more prone to forming clogs.

     Exercise: Walking will often help relieve prostate problem symptoms.

     Stay in love: Making love can also help forestall prostate problems.

     Use supplements: Dietary supplements can help general prostate health.  Make sure you get sufficient amounts of zinc and B vitamins.  These nutrients regulate the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT

Try AIM's  Reassure.^TM     The rye pollen extracts in  AIM's  Reassure^TM  help to relieve BPH in three ways:

  1) They act as a smooth muscle relaxant.  Because muscle contraction plays a role in allowing the bladder to void, it may improve urine discharge.  Clinical studies have indicated that using pollen extracts results in less nighttime urinating and improved bladder emptying.

  2) They help to prevent DHT from binding to the prostatic receptor site.  Clinical studies have shown that pollen extracts reduce the size of the prostate in men with BPH.  Experiments have indicated that they do this by inhibiting the binding of DHT to the receptor site.  Reduced prostate size results in less pressure on the urethra and fewer urinary problems.

  3) They have anti-inflammatory action.  Clinical studies have shown that pollen extracts reduce prostate in flammation, which in turn reduces prostate size.

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