One of the most common health problems experienced by men is benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. BPH is just a medical term that means a man's prostate gland has become bigger than it should be. Because the prostate gland wraps around a part of the urinary tract, when it becomes enlarged, it actually presses on the tube that carries urine, altering the ability to pass urine.

Facts

	A normal prostate is about the same size and shape as a walnut
	2/3 of the prostate is glandular tissue which produces fluid for semen
	1/3 of the prostate is muscle, which contracts during an orgasm to expel semen into the urethra
	The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis
	50% of men will develop an enlarged prostate by the time they are 50 years old
	Up to 90% of men aged 70 – 90 years old develop an enlarged prostate

Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

	Difficulty starting to urinate
	Difficulty maintaining urinary flow, or starting and stopping when trying to pass urine
	Needing to urinate urgently
	Needing to urinate more frequently
	Increase in the occurrence of urinary tract infections, which may cause irritation or burning when passing urine

These problems occur because the urethra is squashed as the prostate increases in size (BPH is a serious and troubling medical problem that requires proper management). It is important to mention that BPH is not prostate cancer, nor does it make you more likely to develop prostate cancer, however it is possible to have both.

Good News for Men with BPH

If you're sick and tired of needing to pass urine all the time, getting up in the night to pass urine and dribbling then nature has a gift for you. Recent research has found that a combination of herbs called Saw Palmetto, Nettle root and Small leafed Willow are very effective at managing BPH and reducing troublesome symptoms. A combination of these beneficial herbs can be taken to manage BPH and may be worth considering when there is a strong family history of BPH.

Giving Nature a Helping Hand

Zinc is like the prostate's best friend. Zinc is an essential nutrient for men's health, and having low zinc levels can create health problems. For men, it is particularly important to include zinc rich foods in your diet. These include:

Ginger, pumpkin seeds, pecans, split peas, whole grain wheat, whole grain rye, whole grain oats, lima beans, almonds, walnuts, sardines, turkey, chicken, buckwheat, hazel nuts, clams, tuna, haddock, green peas, oysters, shrimp, turnips, black pepper, paprika, mustard, thyme, chilli, cinnamon, poppy seeds

Other Prostate Friendly Foods

Lycopene from cooked tomatoes or tomato juice
Cold pressed flax seed oil or extra virgin olive oil
Almonds, brazil nuts and hazel nuts
Garlic and onion in every meal
Green tea instead of coffee
Seafood esp. oily fish such as sardines

Exercise for Prostate Health

Lie flat on your back, bring your knees in and put the soles of your feet together. Hold on to each shin with your hands and pull your heels towards your tummy. This will increases circulation to the prostate.

Don't let a manageable condition such as BPH interfere with your life. Call Emma today on 9555 8806 to organize an appointment for your zinc check up and to discuss achieving optimal health. Remember to pass this information on to all the men in your life.