As men get older, their prostates get bigger. This causes discomfort, trouble urinating, leaking urine, interrupted sleep, and reduced sexual function. An enlarged prostate can press on the bladder and cause awkward urinary issues. Not pleasant. The main cause of enlarged prostate, or BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), is the overproduction of DHT, an especially powerful form of testosterone that causes prostate cells to multiply too aggressively. Emerging research also evidences that excessive estrogen may play a role in this overgrowth of the prostate gland.

Luckily, diet and supplementation can help your prostate. Any chemical you put in your body affects the tissues inside you, and natural chemicals in foods and herbs are no exception to this rule. Below is a list of natural remedies that help you take control of your prostate health.

8 Natural Remedies

1. Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is perhaps the most popular and sure remedy for enlarged prostates and is an extract of the fruit of a palm plant that grows in the southeastern United States.

The main action of this herb is the inhibition of 5α-reductase. Test tube studies have shown that saw palmetto can block the “active site of the enzyme” ^1,4. In human studies, saw palmetto has been shown to improve prostate symptoms and to lower prostate-aggravating inflammation ¹. In the prostates of laboratory rats, saw palmetto has inhibited the action of DHT ¹.

Additionally, there are three other benefits of saw palmetto. First, it is safe and well tolerated in humans ¹. Second, it may help improve sexual dysfunction, which can be exacerbated by the other treatment option: anti-DHT pharmaceutical drugs ². Third, researchers believe that this herb is bioavailable, meaning that it can be absorbed into the prostate where it will have therapeutic effects ¹.

In 2001, researchers seemed to confirm the effectiveness of saw palmetto supplementation in humans. Biopsies were taken of the prostates of men who had supplemented with saw palmetto for six months and “tissue DHT levels were reduced by 32%”³.

In 2001, researchers seemed to confirm the effectiveness of saw palmetto supplementation in humans. Biopsies were taken of the prostates of men who had supplemented with saw palmetto for six months and “tissue DHT levels were reduced by 32%” ³.

2. Green Tea

Along with the innumerable benefits of green tea, this feel-good plant may improve prostate function.

Green tea can inhibit 5α-reductase and block DHT receptors, inhibiting the action of this hormone ⁵. Both green and black tea improved an array of BPH symptoms in men ⁶. Extracts increased urinary flow, sexual function, inflammation, and emptying of the bladder ⁶.

Drinking organic green tea will be helpful for prostate health, and supplemental green tea extracts have been evidenced to help. But it’s important not to take high doses of these extracts, lest they become toxic. Moderation is key!

3. Plant Sterols

Plant sterols or phytosterols are cholesterol-like molecules that exist in small amounts in grains, veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds. They are well known for lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

In many clinical trials, supplemental dosing with phytosterols has, caused improvement in enlarged prostate symptoms.

A review of four clinical trials showed that plant sterols improved urinary flow in men with enlarged prostates ⁷. In another clinical trial, High concentrations of sugar are evidenced to fuel candida growth. For instance, numerous symptoms of enlarged prostate were improved ⁸.

There are many other studies showing improvements in symptoms. In hamsters fed phytosterols, prostate sizes decreased and researchers said that 5α-reductase was inhibited ⁹.

4. Broccoli

Everyone knows that broccoli is healthy. It’s high in vitamin C, helps your liver detoxify, and has numerous other health benefits.

There is evidence that broccoli has effects on the prostate and decreases excessive cell growth that leads to BPH ¹⁰. Broccoli has various cell-growth inhibiting effects ¹¹. For instance, a compound in broccoli encourages cell death in unnecessary prostate cells, making it less likely that too many prostate cells will build up and create an enlarged prostate ¹¹.

Broccoli can even regulate genetic signals that determine how large the prostate grows ¹².

5. Zinc

This metal is critical to health and the functioning of dozens of enzymes that are in charge of your cells’ metabolism.

Men with BPH have significantly reduced levels of zinc in their blood and in many bodily tissues ¹³. Researchers explain, “Zinc is an important constituent of prostatic fluid and is known to play an important role in the development and normal functioning of prostate” ¹³.

The mechanism by which zinc helps keep the prostate properly sized is that “[z]inc ions inhibit androgen metabolism in the prostate” ¹⁴. In other words, you might have too much DHT in your prostate if you don’t have enough zinc in your body.

6. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a carotenoid called lycopene that has impressive effects against BPH.

Researchers stated in one study that lycopene “inhibited progression of BPH” ¹⁵. Consumption of lycopene improved symptoms of BPH and reduced biomarkers of BPH ¹⁵.

7. Pygeum Africanum

The bark of the African cherry tree has been used by many to fight enlarged prostate symptoms. A large review of scientific data on this herb concluded that there were significant improvements in the symptoms of BPH ¹⁶.

An in vitro study has shown that pygeum africanum stops the proliferation of prostate cells, so it makes sense that it could improve symptoms of BPH (by possibly reducing prostate size) ¹⁷.

8. Flax Seed

Today, many grocery stores offer various flax-based products like flax milk, flax yogurt, flax muffins, etc. These seeds have the highest source of phytoestrogens in the food kingdom, And phytoestrogens may disrupt the production of DHT ¹⁸. Flax specifically is evidenced to reduce 5a-reductase levels ^20,21.

In animal studies, phytoestrogens have been shown to reduce prostate weight ¹⁹.

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