Functional Support for Prostate Health

By Anne Salazar, RH (AHG) Clinical Herbalist

Health challenges in men can generally be tied to some key factors such as chronic stress, inadequate sleep, metabolic syndrome (diabetes, insulin resistance), lack of proper exercise, and exposure to exogenous hormones and toxins (aka endocrine disruptors). This applies to heart health as well as prostate health; they have some similar underlying issues. In this article, I will be focusing mostly on prostate challenges. 

You can read a comprehensive article on heart health and men’s health in other blogs.

Hormone Disruptors and Overall Health

  The issue of endocrine disruptors cannot be overlooked (1). It affects every aspect of our health. It is applicable to many illnesses and imbalances and can certainly negatively affect prostate health. This is a modern issue, and has quickly become a key factor in many chronic disease states. First and foremost it is key to avoid all toxic disruptors. This article will give you more detailed information on these toxins and how to avoid them.

Nutrients that Help Guard Against Hormone Disruptors

  • Sulforaphane- a potent, sulfur-rich compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, broccoli sprouts, kale, and cabbage, known for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cook these veggies for the proper results!

  • DIM- a natural compound derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol; found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and kale. It is widely used as a supplement to help balance hormone metabolism (2). 

  • Calcium D-Glucarate is a natural compound used as a dietary supplement to support liver detoxification and hormone balance, particularly by supporting the clearance of excess estrogen 

  • Selenium, NAC, and Methylated B6 and 12 can also support the detoxification process.

> It’s also very important to note that a healthy microbiome is KEY to allowing the body to properly metabolize and excrete these disruptors properly. The proper signaling comes from the microbiota as the body works to excrete these offenders. Probiotics are important here.

Similarities Between Prostate and Cardiovascular Challenges

Treatment strategies for both include:

- Improve anabolic metabolism: essential for muscle growth, cell development, and recovery (see more on anabolic benefits and sources below).

- Calm the nervous system: adaptogenic herbs work well for this, as well as herbal nervines like chamomile, oats, passionflower, skullcap.

- Improve lipid profile; keeping cholesterol levels healthy helps to avoid cancer cell growth/proliferation (5).

- Quench free radicals: think antioxidants (3)!

- Regulate inflammation; fish oils (which also help with lipid/cholesterol balancing), Turmeric (6).

- Improve glucose and insulin signaling (metabolic health). 

  

Risk factors for both include: 

- Diabetes (4)

- Obesity

- Lack of sunlight (Vitamin D)

- Pesticides

- Smoking

- Inconsistent sleep hours

- Family history

Specific Help for Prostate

  Botanical medicine can be very helpful for BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) and prostate disease. Included in this list of herbs would be Saw Palmetto (7), Nettle root (8), Pumpkin Seed Oil (9) and Lycopene (10). A combination of these tend to work more efficiently than taking them singularly. We carry a very effective formula by Gaia called Prostate Formula. It’s very popular here!

  Supporting natural anabolic processes (as the body repairs itself, builds muscle mass, and synthesizes proteins following exercise or nutrient intake) allows for healthy hormonal balancing. This is where botanical adaptogens shine. A combination of anabolic herbs such as Eleuthero, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Schisandra, etc. are very supportive of this healthy, balancing process. 

  Please come in and talk to us about any questions you may have.  Keep in mind that a private consultation with a Clinical Herbalist can go a very long way in guiding you through personalized approaches.

You Might Also Enjoy:

Sleep and It’s Multiple Challenges

Follow and Nurture Your Heart

Natural Support for Men’s Health

References:

  1. Prins GS. Endocrine disruptors and prostate cancer risk. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2008 Sep;15(3):649-56. doi: 10.1677/ERC-08-0043. Epub 2008 Jun 4. PMID: 18524946; PMCID: PMC2822396. 

  2. Zhang WW, Feng Z, Narod SA. Multiple therapeutic and preventive effects of 3,3'-diindolylmethane on cancers including prostate cancer and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. J Biomed Res. 2014 Sep;28(5):339-48. doi: 10.7555/JBR.28.20140008. Epub 2014 Apr 20. PMID: 25332705; PMCID: PMC4197384. 

  3. Rago V, Di Agostino S. Novel Insights into the Role of the Antioxidants in Prostate Pathology. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Jan 27;12(2):289. doi: 10.3390/antiox12020289. PMID: 36829848; PMCID: PMC9951863.

  4. Elabbady A, Hashad MM, Kotb AF, Ghanem AE. Studying the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on prostate-related parameters: A prospective single institutional study. Prostate Int. 2016 Dec;4(4):156-159. doi: 10.1016/j.prnil.2016.07.005. Epub 2016 Aug 3. PMID: 27995116; PMCID: PMC5153428. 

  5. Siltari A, Syvälä H, Lou YR, Gao Y, Murtola TJ. Role of Lipids and Lipid Metabolism in Prostate Cancer Progression and the Tumor's Immune Environment. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Sep 1;14(17):4293. doi: 10.3390/cancers14174293. PMID: 36077824; PMCID: PMC9454444. 

  6. Liu Y, Wang Z, Gan Y, Chen X, Zhang B, Chen Z, Liu P, Li B, Ru F, He Y. Curcumin attenuates prostatic hyperplasia caused by inflammation via up-regulation of bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor. Pharm Biol. 2021 Dec;59(1):1026-1035. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1953539. PMID: 34357837; PMCID: PMC8354175. 

  7. Kwon Y. Use of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2019 Apr 17;28(6):1599-1606. doi: 10.1007/s10068-019-00605-9. PMID: 31807332; PMCID: PMC6859144. 

  8. Ghorbanibirgani A, Khalili A, Zamani L. The efficacy of stinging nettle (urtica dioica) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized double-blind study in 100 patients. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2013 Jan;15(1):9-10. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.2386. Epub 2013 Jan 5. PMID: 23487561; PMCID: PMC3589769. 

  9. Zerafatjou N, Amirzargar M, Biglarkhani M, Shobeirian F, Zoghi G. Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo) versus tamsulosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia symptom relief: a single-blind randomized clinical trial. BMC Urol. 2021 Oct 19;21(1):147. doi: 10.1186/s12894-021-00910-8. PMID: 34666728; PMCID: PMC8527717. 

  10. Kapała A, Szlendak M, Motacka E. The Anti-Cancer Activity of Lycopene: A Systematic Review of Human and Animal Studies. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 3;14(23):5152. doi: 10.3390/nu14235152. PMID: 36501182; PMCID: PMC9741066.