Prostate

Question 1

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Answer 1

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”.

Question 2

BPH: Aetiology

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

BPH: Natural Approach

Answer 3

CNM Naturopathic diet
Lower DHT
Optimising body weight and address stress
Remove alcohol, caffeine, sweetners, fizzy drinks
Lignans
Reducing excess oestrogens
Physical activity

Question 4

BPH: Supplements

Answer 4

Selenium
Reishi
Vitamin D
Berberine
Lycopene
Saw Palmetto
Zinc

Question 5

BPH: Selenium

Answer 5

Dose: 200-600 mcg/d

Glutathione Peroxidase
Lowers hyperplasia

Question 6

BPH: Reishi

Answer 6

Dose: 3-9g/d

Inhibits 5a-reductase

Question 7

BPH: Vitamin D

Answer 7

Decreases prostate cell proliferation

Question 8

BPH: Berberine

Answer 8

50-250mg/day

Inhibits 5a-reductase

Question 9

Prostate Cancer: Signs and Symptoms

Answer 9

Same as BPH with addition of haematuria, blood in the ejaculate, pain on ejaculation, back pain (possible spinal metastases).

Question 10

Prostate Cancer: Risk factors

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Prostate Cancer: Lycopene

Answer 11

Induces apoptosis

Question 12

Prostate Cancer: Supplements

Answer 12

Zinc
Selenium
Vitamin D
Reishi
Shiitake

Question 13

Prostate Cancer: Zinc

Answer 13

Dose: 15-30mg/day

Anti carcinogenic ― stabilises DNA and RNA; inhibits prostate cancer cell line growth and invasion . Inhibits NF κB . ↓

Question 14

Prostate Cancer: Selenium

Answer 14

Dose: 200 - 600mg/day

Increases glutathione peroxidase

Question 15

Prostate cancer: Vitamin D

Answer 15

Antiproliferative

Question 16

Prostate Cancer: Reishi

Answer 16

Dose: 3-9g/day

Suppress the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells

Question 17

Prostate Cancer: Shiitake

Answer 17

Dose: 1.5-10g/d

Anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic

Question 18

Prostatitis: Signs and symptoms

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Prostatitis: Aetiology

Answer 19

Chronic low grade inflammation and low immune
function
Links with low testosterone
Genitourinary dysbiosis
STDs (chlamydia).

Question 20

Prostatitis: Natural Approach

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

BPH: Saw Palmetto

Answer 21

Lowers DHT, lowers 5-a reductase

Question 22

Prostate: Lycopene

Answer 22

Reduces 5-a reductase