Prostate

The prostate gland is a walnut sized gland found only in men. It

is located at the base of the urethra
and plays a vital role in the male
reproductive system. It opens into
the urethra (the tube that carries
urine from the bladder to the penis)
and is placed just below the bladder
and vas deferens (a pair of ducts
through which sperm passes before
ejaculation).
Function
s
The prostate assists in manufacturing semen, which carries sperm
from the testicles through the penis. The function of the prostate is
to secrete a slightly alkaline fluid, milky or white in appearance that
usually constitutes 50-75% of the volume of the semen along with
spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid.
Semen is made alkaline with the secretions from other
contributing glands, including the seminal vesicle fluid. The alkalinity
of semen helps neutralise the acidity of the vaginal tract, prolonging
the lifespan of sperms. The prostatic fluid is expelled in the first
ejaculate fractions, together with most of the spermatozoa.
Problems
Prostate problems are very common in men more than 50 years of
age. They are:
Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)The most
common condition among elderly males is enlargement of the
prostate. The first symptom is dripping of urine. When the prostate
grows, it blocks the
urethra and makes
urination difficult and
painful. As the problem
grows, the patient
experiences continued
hesitancy and urgency
to visit the washroom. About a third men (more than 50 years of
age) show symptoms of prostate enlargement, including -Difficulty
in urinating
• Weak flow of the urine Strain while passing urine
• Frequent urination
• Frequent night visits to the bathroom to urinate
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a condition where the prostate gland becomes inflamed
(red and swollen). Inflammation often occurs as a response to
infection, but in most
cases, no evidence of
infection can be found.
Prostatitis is thought to
affect nearly 15% men
at some point in their
lives. Although it can
affect men of any age, it
is more common among
men of ages 30-50 years.
Symptoms of prostatitis include -
• pelvic pain
• testicular pain
• pain when urinating (this is less common and likely to occur
due to a urinary tract infection)
• pain while ejaculating pain in the perineum (the area between
the anus and back of the scrotum), which is often worse when
sitting, particularly on hard chairs and bicycle saddles
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is common among men more than 50 years of age,
especially those who eat fatty food, and/or have a father or brother
with prostate cancer.
The symptoms of prostate cancer are like those of prostate
enlargement, and include:
• needing to rush to the toilet, and
• feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied
Causes

Causes of prostrate problems includes -

• Family history
• Advancing age
• Race - American and Australian men are at a higher risk than
Asian men
• A urinary tract or bladder infection
• Injuries to the pelvis
• A past episode of prostatitis
• Dehydration
• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Catheterisation surgery (insertion of a tube into the urethra to
drain urine)
• Hereditary Stress
• Infection with HIV
Symptoms and warning signs
Following are some of the symptoms of a prostate disease -
• Weak or interrupted urine, slow start, feeling of incomplete
emptying of the bladderIrritation (frequent urgency of going to
the bathroom at night).
• Frequent urination
• A sudden need to urinate Difficulty in starting to urinate
• Urinary incontinence (inability to get to the bathroom in time)
Dribbling after urinating
• Straining to urinate or trying to force the urine out
• Pain while urinatingBlood in the urine
 Prostate Cleanse
Frequent ejaculation, whether during sexual intercourse,
masturbation or a dream, helps protect the prostate, except in
the highest category. Men who ejaculate often have a 33% lower
lifetime risk of prostate cancer, and this statistic grows stronger as
men grow older.
However, if a person suffers from prostate problems, he should
avoid sexual excess, irregularities in eating and drinking, long
periods of sitting and vigorous exercise. The following cleanses and
exercises improve the overall prostate health, especially in case of
prostate enlargement.
Corn silk
Corn silk is a time-tested remedy
to fight symptoms of prostate
enlargement. It acts as a natural
diuretic and helps relax the
urinary muscles and lining. This
leads to an improved flow of
urine.
Procedure
• Put the 500gms of fresh
or 50gms of dried corn silk in a litre of water. Bring it to a boil,
then simmer for another 10 minutes. Strain and drink three to
four glasses of this corn silk tea a day.
(For complete details see Kidney Cleanse)

Apple cider vinegar

Raw, unfiltered apple cider
vinegar has astringent properties
that help shrink swollen prostate
glands. It also aids weight loss
and helps prevent complications
of an enlarged prostate, such
as UTIs.
Procedure
• Mix one to two tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider
vinegar and a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water.
Drink it twice daily.
• Another option is to add a cup of apple cider vinegar to a
bathtub and soak in it for 10 to 15 minutes. Enjoy this soothing
bath a few times a week.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds also help
shrink an enlarged prostate.
The seeds contain diuretic
properties that help urine
flow. They are also high
in zinc. Men with enlarged
prostate usually have a
zinc deficiency. In addition,
the seeds have omega-3
fatty acids that aid prostate
functioning.
Procedure
Eat a handful of unsalted pumpkin seeds daily.
Kegel exercises
Kegel or pelvic-strengthening
exercises can help ease the
discomforts of an enlarged
prostate as they tighten specific
pel vic m uscle s t o cont r o l
urination.
Practice Kegel exercises
throughout the day regularly. You can do them after waking up in
the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening and before going to bed.
Target your pelvic muscles and avoid tightening the muscles in your
stomach, buttocks or thighs. If you face difficulty in locating the pelvic
muscles, get help from an expert.
• Empty your bladder and lie on the floor with your knees bent
 and apart. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles for five seconds,
then relax them for five seconds. Repeat 10 to 20 times, three
or four times everyday. Pelvic floor muscles help stop urine flow.
• Another option is to squeeze the muscles in your anus, then
relax your pelvic floor muscles. Do it 10 to 20 times, two to
three times a day.
Note: Men who suffer from chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain
syndrome must avoid doing Kegel exercises.
Prostate friendly foods
Strive to eat the following prostate-friendly food for three days and
continue to incorporate them into your regular diet.
Fruits and vegetables: Eat
grapes (especially red
grapes), green tomatoes, and
dark, leafy green vegetables.
These foods help prevent
development of an enlarged
prostate or prostate cancer.
Also add cauliflower to your
diet, another prostate-cancer inhibitor.
Vitamin C rich food: For good prostate health, include plenty of
oranges, lemons, grapefruits and strawberries in your diet. Potatoes,
red peppers, mangoes, broccoli, pineapple and cantaloupe are all
rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin D rich dairy products: Vitamin D may help lower your risk
of developing prostate cancer, so drink plenty of vitamin D enriched
milk. Include plenty of dairy food to your diet.
Folate rich foods: Folate may also contribute to prostate health, so
eat plenty of spinach, asparagus
and black-eyed peas.
Fish: Fish is high in cancer-
fighting omega-3 fatty acids
and great for the prostate,
particularly cold-water fish,
such as mackerel (Bangada)
and trout. The healthy fats found in fish, such as salmon (Rawas), swordfish (Tega Machali)
and tilapia (Jilapi) are good not only for your prostate, but also your heart.
Flaxseed oil: Flaxseed oil helps balance the
hormones in the prostate. Add
one tablespoon flaxseed to a glass
of orange juice or any other drink once a day.
Benefits
• Better urinary start, force and volume
• Normalised urine frequency
• Less interruption in sleep
• Rejuvenated sex life
• Shrink the prostate to a normal size

A Liver Cleanse improves prostate functioning.