Monday, September 14, 2009

Prostate Supplements to Aid in Prostate Nutrition

By James E. Bailey

The prostate is a male gland which sits close to the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. A woman's vagina is highly acidic, so the prostate stores and secretes a base fluid that will neutralize the acid and keep the sperm alive longer as they make their journey. It would be very nearly impossible to achieve pregnancy without a properly functioning prostate.

The prostate is susceptible to disease and infection since it primarily functions as a gland. Therefore, men are told to have prostate exams regularly and take prostate supplements to benefit their health and to give them necessary prostate nutrition.

Health supplements are everywhere you look these days, some of which are very beneficial, while others are close to being snake oil. Prostate supplements are no different than the rest. Men are looking for ways to protect the health of the prostates because there has been a marked increase in prostate cancer diagnoses. It is very important that men take the time to read labels and be sure they are getting the supplements they need.

The two main ingredients that a good prostate supplement should contain are lycopene and saw palmetto. Lycopene is an anti-oxidant - a natural carotenoid that is found in tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that lycopene in the diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Found in the southeastern United States, saw palmetto is an herb. American dwarf palm or cabbage palm are common names for it. Its fruit was used for medicinal purposes by the Seminole tribe of Florida. Although the extent of its advantages haven't been thoroughly studied, some reports have shown that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit an enlarged prostate. Reports have also stated that saw palmetto can stop the conversion of testosterone into the sub-hormone responsible to increase the population of cancerous cells in the prostate.

While there are no "anti-cancer" supplements that will prevent a man from EVER developing prostate cancer, there is still reason to research proper health care for the prostate. Regular exams and blood testing can result in early detection of prostate cancer, which in itself can be a supplement.

Take not of the fact that many supplements out of the array available on the market do not contain enough of the recommended vitamins and herbs that are known to benefit overall well-being. The only way to make sure you're doing everything possible to ensure good prostate health is to discuss it with your doctor.

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