The prostate is a muscular gland in men that is responsible for adding fluid to the ejaculate during an orgasm. This fluid helps spermatic mobility and balances the female vaginal fluid to assist in fertilization. The prostate is located below the bladder and just in front of the end of the colon and rectum. Because of its proximity to the colon, intestinal issues are easily transmittable to the gland and inflammation of the prostate can influence the rectum. It has been called the nerve and emotional center of a man’s sex life and sexuality. In eastern medicine paradigms of disease, the prostate holds on to our stresses related to sexual pleasures and feelings of inadequacy, so issues with any of these feelings cause problems in the prostate.
Diseases of the prostate include:
Enlargement (BPH)
Currently, around 50% of men will get BPH by the age of 60 and 90% by age 85
Symptoms include difficulty starting a stream, reduced urinary flow and frequent urination
Infection (prostatitis)
Symptoms include rectal pain, painful urination and frequent urination
Cancer
Studies show that up to 30% of all men will have prostate cancer by age 50, albeit undetected
Greater than 40% of all prostate cancers have metastasized before detection
Causes of prostate diseases come from physical, emotional and toxic effects of our lifestyle and exposure history
Physical
Family history and genetics
Decreased circulation of blood and lymph to and from the gland
Tightness in the surrounding muscles of the hip and pelvic girdle
Hormonal issues
Excess dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Increase in estrogen levels
Converted by adipose tissue from testosterone
Lifestyle
Emotional distress effecting the 2nd or Sacral Chakra
Poor diet lacking in key nutrients
Lack of fruits and vegetables
Excessive meat and animal fat ingestion
Smoking and alcohol consumption
Limited sexual activity
Tight underwear and pants
Exposure
Medications
Anticholinergics
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
Toxins
Pesticides
Caffeine
Food preservatives
Tobacco
Aluminum
Radiation from electric blankets
Magnetic fields from belt buckles
Diagnostic testing for an enlarged or cancerous prostate is important. Make sure you have a good relationship with your primary care doctor and that they offer these screening tools.
Digital rectal exam should be done yearly in men over 40
Finds abnormal enlargement, bogginess or tenderness of infection or inflammation or masses
Some primary care physicians not doing this in favor of the PSA test only
PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing should begin at age 40
Gradually rises with age so make sure it is in optimal range
Should be <0.6
20% of men with levels >2.5 may have cancer
Elevated with cancer and BPH
Relying on PSA alone will miss up to 15% of cancers
Level can be affected by medications and other conditions
Biopsy can confirm presence of cancer in the gland
Done through the rectum
Many samples taken and sent for analysis
Serum albumin levels are usually drawn with a comprehensive metabolic panel or liver panel and should be around 5 g/dl.
Arguably the most important protein in the body
Important for hydration and tissue pH
Binds toxins, drugs and waste products in tissues and blood
Transports major hormones such as cortisol, thyroid
Level less than 4 is a major indicator of disease including cancer
Western medicine has specific treatments for prostatic diseases. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but just an outline of what is available. Please consult your Urologist for your best options. But, see your Navigator so that he can help you decide on the course of treatment that works for YOU, as well as help you with supplemental therapies to maximize your results!
BPH
TURP is a roto-rooter treatment thru the urethra to open up the passage through the prostate to improve flow and reduce symptoms
Can cause infections, bleeding and other side effects
Medications
Have many side effects
May not be effective
Reduces conversion of testosterone to DHT
Cancer
Prostatectomy
Can be partial or radical
Has many side effects
Should be considered only after all other options weighed
Radiation
External beams
Internal seeds
Hot/cold therapy
Cryosurgery
Microwave Thermotherapy
Chemotherapy
Watchful waiting
May be good for some
Hormone therapy
Testosterone blockers for sensitive cancers
Functional and Integrative medical treatments are based on the idea that diseases flourish when the body is out of balance or the tissues have become susceptible to infection or cancer. This can happen when the “milieu” of the tissue is too acidic, there is reduced blood flow, reduced lymph drainage or a lack of nutrients for the body to heal itself (the goal of therapy here at Navigator).
Nutritional concepts
Increase water consumption
Pure, filtered water
More than 8 glasses a day
Flushes out toxins
Keeps tissues hydrated
Avoid during meals so not to dilute stomach acids
Decrease animal proteins
Meat
Milk products
Decrease fried foods
Increase vegetable proteins
Soy products
Non-fermented tofu, soy milk, edamame
Helps to reduce DHT
Light alcohol consumption
Hormonal Balancing
Achieve optimal testosterone levels
Talk to your Navigator about safe and bio-identical hormone replacement
Reduce elevated DHT levels that are associated with BPH and cancer
Reduce excess estrogen
Decrease conversion of testosterone by losing weight, changing your diet and possible herbal therapy
Supplements – this is an incomplete list just to get you started
Amino acids glycine, alanine and glutamic acid
Kelp has iodine and minerals
Saw palmetto shrinks prostate and lowers PSA levels by blocking testosterone to DHT
Stinging nettle is high in Vitamin C and nutrients
Chrysin
Milk thistle
Pygeum helps with urinary support and reduces prostate enlargement
Green tea extract reduces risk of cancer
Beta-Sitosterol – a phytosterol found in most plants and vegetables
Omega-3 fatty acids
Zinc is a major mineral in the prostate
Vitamins – a good multivitamin should contain most of these, but may need to be supplemented if you have prostate problems so that you have optimal therapy
Vitamin C 1-3 grams daily
Vitamin D3 1,000 to 3,000 IU daily
Vitamin E 400-800 IU daily of mixed types
Therapies are aimed at improving the health of the surrounding tissues including the colon, increasing blood and lymph circulation in the prostate gland, and exercising the gland and muscles within it!
Rectal massage and prostate massage
Releases muscle tension and improves blood flow and lymph drainage
Reducing cholesterol to normal levels
Accumulate in the prostate and associated with cancer
Colon cleansing
Fasting
Chelation therapies
Salt water ingestion enemas
Bentonite to remove plaque from the walls of the intestines and colon
Balancing tissue pH levels
Estimated that over 90% of Americans have acidic tissues that lead to disease and cancers
Emotional healing
Removes harmful stress within the prostate by opening up the healthy flow of energy thru the 2nd Chakra
Opens up constrictions with tension held due to sexual or emotional issues
Homeopathy
Supports the pancreas which has control over the function and health of the prostate
Sexual activity
Flushes the prostate
Strengthens the prostatic muscle tissue
Releases pent up energy
Creates healthy bonds between partners
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