How to Improve Prostate Gland Health and Function
8 minute read
The prostate is an often misunderstood part of the body that can seriously impact your health. Prostate issues are unfortunately all too common among adult men in America. It’s a problem that many are embarrassed to talk about, but it affects men from all different walks of life.
It’s important to understand how you can keep your prostate in good order, so you don’t expose yourself to the potentially negative health effects that can be caused by an unhealthy prostate, including prostate cancer. Here is what you need to know to boost prostate health and keep your system in good running order.
How Keep Your Prostate Healthy
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system that is situated below the bladder. One job of the prostate is to produce prostatic fluid, which combines with sperm cells from the testicles and other fluids to form semen.
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Another function the prostate serves is to regulate hormone metabolism. Specifically, the prostate helps break down testosterone into a usable form.
Here are the numerous vitamins, minerals, and more that can help improve your prostate health.
Krill Oil
A powerful inflammation fighter, krill oil is a great resource if you’re looking to help maintain your prostate health. You can find krill oil naturally in krill, of course, but it is most commonly taken in pill form as a powerful krill oil supplement.
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And krill oil has been linked to more health benefits beyond prostate health. It’s also been shown to be a powerful supporter of healthy heart function.
Vitamin D
This vitamin is essential to many health functions, and getting vitamin D can be as easy as spending a few minutes in the sun each day. Vitamin D helps support your immune system, which makes it a key factor in keeping your prostate health in check.
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It can also promote good heart health and cognitive function, plus vitamin D is a crucial component when it comes to maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Vitamin E
Antioxidants are useful for a variety of reasons, and vitamin E is an antioxidant you should be sure to include in your diet. Antioxidants primarily help protect your body against “free radicals,” disease-causing particles that can affect your overall health, not just your prostate.
And vitamin E can also help boost your immunity and even improve the appearance of skin.
Regular Exercise
Getting a good workout as often as possible is obviously good for your health, even if you aren’t concerned with prostate issues. But if you are looking to keep your prostate health in good working order, exercising is even more important.
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Studies have shown that good exercise is linked to a reduced risk of prostate issues. Some of the reasons for this could be that exercising can help regulate your hormones, boost your immune system, and prevent unwanted weight gain, all of which can contribute to negative prostate health.
Green Tea
This herbal drink has been used in a variety of cultures for centuries because of its incredible healing properties. Green tea is loaded with compounds known as polyphenols.
These powerful compounds have been linked to all sorts of positive health benefits, including a reduction of inflammation, which could explain why green tea is such a good prostate health booster.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These compounds are found in olive oil, avocados, and other foods high in “good fat.” Omega-3s have seen a growing interest lately, as the Mediterranean Diet has become more popular.
Krill oil is also loaded with omega-3s, which have been linked to a reduced risk in prostate issues. Perhaps the main reason they’re so good for your prostate is because of their ability to fight inflammation, a common theme with many of the items on this list.
Tomatoes
Loaded with antioxidants, including an especially powerful antioxidant known as lycopene, tomatoes are a proven prostate health booster.
Lycopene and the other antioxidants found in tomatoes have been linked to a reduction in risk for a number of health issues, including prostate problems, immune dysfunction, and various cardiovascular diseases.
Zinc
Inflammation and immunity are two common threads we’ve seen in this list of prostate health helpers, and zinc falls into the immunity category.
Zinc is a powerful mineral capable of supercharging your immune system, which can protect your body from all sorts of disease-causing particles, including those that affect your prostate. To give yourself the most protection possible, make sure you’re loading up on an adequate amount of zinc.
Essential Oils
Many essential oils are known for their abilities to reduce pain and inflammation, plus some even have antibacterial properties. Essential oils are more popular than ever; they can be consumed orally or dripped into a diffuser and inhaled as vapor.
Rosemary oil is one of the most popular, and its antioxidant properties make it ideal for men who want to keep their prostate health in check.
Avoid Meat and Dairy
In contrast to omega-3s, red meat and dairy have been known to actually increase the amount of inflammation in your body. This is obviously bad news for prostate health, as inflammation can flare up and cause a wide range of unpleasant issues.
Dairy has also been shown to disrupt hormone regulation, which can affect your food cravings, weight gain, and other areas. In moderation, these foods can be okay, but if you overload on meat and dairy, your prostate may feel the effects down the road.
The Bottom Line
Now you know some basic facts about the prostate, as well as a few ways you can keep your prostate healthy. Because it resides near the reproductive organs, the prostate is sometimes a taboo topic that doesn’t get discussed as often as it should.
If you’re over the age of 40, make sure you’re having your doctor examine your prostate every year or so. That way, you can catch any negative health effects before they get more serious.
In the meantime, just follow the tips you learned today to keep yourself on the path to a healthy prostate.
