Prostate Flashcards
Enlargement of the prostate without the presence of malignancy.
Affects approximately 40% of men over the age of 50 and 90% over the age of 90.
Signs / symptoms: Urinary frequency, urgency, hesitancy, nocturia, incomplete evacuation, terminal dribbling.
Prostate diagnostics: Digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, ultrasound, and biopsy.
PSA blood test: A raised PSA indicates possible prostate enlargement or inflammation. It is normally used as a screen for prostate cancer. Levels >4.0 ng / ml “require investigating”.
BPH: Aetiology
Whilst DHT is required for normal prostate function, higher levels can cause pathologic prostate growth in adult men.
High stress
A higher ratio of oestrogens to testosterone.
BPH: Natural Approach
CNM Naturopathic diet
Lower DHT
Optimising body weight and address stress
Remove alcohol, caffeine, sweetners, fizzy drinks
Lignans
Reducing excess oestrogens
Physical activity
BPH: Supplements
Selenium
Reishi
Vitamin D
Berberine
Lycopene
Saw Palmetto
Zinc
BPH: Selenium
Dose: 200-600 mcg/d
Glutathione Peroxidase
Lowers hyperplasia
BPH: Reishi
Dose: 3-9g/d
Inhibits 5a-reductase
BPH: Vitamin D
Decreases prostate cell proliferation
BPH: Berberine
50-250mg/day
Inhibits 5a-reductase
Prostate Cancer: Signs and Symptoms
Same as BPH with addition of haematuria, blood in the ejaculate, pain on ejaculation, back pain (possible spinal metastases).
Prostate Cancer: Risk factors
- Dietary processed meats, high refined sugar, low fibre, caffeine, high saturated and trans fats
- Abdominal obesity
- Poor methylation
- Increased 5a-reductase
- Dysbiosis
- Nutritional deficiencies/insuffiencies
Prostate Cancer: Lycopene
Induces apoptosis
Prostate Cancer: Supplements
Zinc
Selenium
Vitamin D
Reishi
Shiitake
Prostate Cancer: Zinc
Dose: 15-30mg/day
Anti carcinogenic ― stabilises DNA and RNA; inhibits prostate cancer cell line growth and invasion . Inhibits NF κB . ↓
Prostate Cancer: Selenium
Dose: 200 - 600mg/day
Increases glutathione peroxidase
Prostate cancer: Vitamin D
Antiproliferative
Prostate Cancer: Reishi
Dose: 3-9g/day
Suppress the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells
Prostate Cancer: Shiitake
Dose: 1.5-10g/d
Anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic
Prostatitis: Signs and symptoms
Inflammation of the prostate with or without infection.
Similar to BPH with the addition of frequent UTIs, dysuria, blood in the urine or semen, discharge from the urethra, pain on ejaculation; pain around male genitalia, anus,
lower abdomen and lower back; fever and malaise.
Prostatitis: Aetiology
Chronic low grade inflammation and low immune
function
Links with low testosterone
Genitourinary dysbiosis
STDs (chlamydia).
Prostatitis: Natural Approach
- CNM Naturopathic Diet
- Anti-Inflammation: EFAs, turmeric, ginger and vitamin C Zinc, selenium, lycopene, saw palmetto and
- stinging nettle for prostate support
- Quercetin 500-1000 mg x 2 daily) shown to reduce
- prostatic inflammation.
- Probiotics and prebiotics
BPH: Saw Palmetto
Lowers DHT, lowers 5-a reductase
Prostate: Lycopene
Reduces 5-a reductase
