How to Keep Your Prostate Healthy

Prostate health is very important.  More and more men, even younger men are seeing declines in prostate health. Poor prostate health can ruin your sexual competence. Your age means nothing if you cannot get and maintain a healthy erection. Men must become proactive and not wait until there is a problem. Whether it's environmental, nutrition or otherwise, there are certain things that men can do to improve or maintain good prostate health. 

​Prostate supplements encourage ideal prostate health. It helps to maintain normal prostate size, helping to soothe away prostate inflammation.** Additionally, prostate supplements may:

• Promote free-flowing, easy urination.**
• Help reduce nighttime urinary urgency.**
• May support a healthy sex drive. **

What are Prostate Supplements?
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that helps to create semen. Due to the prostate's proximity to the bladder and urethra, it is also associated with the urinary system. In young men, the gland is approximately the size of a walnut, but, in older males, it can become enlarged, leading to prostate health concerns.**

In middle-aged and senior men, prostate health issues are typical, and tend to increase with age. These generally fall into two categories: Prostatitis, which is inflammation of the gland, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a general enlargement of the prostate tied to the aging process.

​While the former is less common and can involve a bacterial condition, the latter affects roughly 50% of all males in their 60s and approximately 90% in their 70s and older. BPH can create the urge to urinate frequently, especially during nighttime, leading to sleep disruptions. This prostate health condition may also affect sexual function and quality of life.**
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There are many natural prostate supplements that complement a healthy lifestyle. These prostate supplements optimize prostate health and comfort, support urinary system wellness, and assist with reproductive function. Prostate supplements often include antioxidants and other natural compounds that work to ease prostate inflammation, relax smooth muscle (such as the urethra), and fight free radicals and prostate-destructive enzymes. Some of the most popular natural prostate supplements are:**
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Zinc: 
Zinc has numerous wellness benefits, supporting normal growth and development. It supplies antioxidant activity, promoting healthy skin and hair in addition to:**
Optimizing vision and eye health.**
Supporting immune system health.**
Optimizing men’s reproductive health.**

A trace antioxidant mineral required by the body, zinc serves as a key component in many crucial biological functions, including immune function. Research shows that zinc also supports prostate health, with studies suggesting it regulates the inflammation associated with prostatitis.**

​Zinc may benefit men’s health because it plays a role in the synthesis of testosterone. Research has suggested that zinc supplementation may promote sperm motility, thereby optimizing men’s reproductive wellness.**

Zinc Supplements
Zinc is available through several food sources, including oysters and other seafood, red meat, dairy products, some beans, grains, and legumes. It is also commonly added to foods like fortified breakfast cereals. However, the human body can only absorb around 20% to 40% of the zinc that is ingested through foods.**

This dietary challenge has led to zinc supplements’ rise in popularity. It is available in several forms in nutritional supplements, with the most common and inexpensive being zinc sulfate. However, zinc sulfate can sometimes cause stomach upset and is not as readily absorbed as its picolinate, citrate, or other forms. Zinc is often paired with copper in supplement formulas. It is available in sprays, lozenges, tablets and capsules.**

​Zinc Directions for Use
Always consult your primary care physician before starting any supplement regimen. Recommended zinc dosage is 11 mg for men over 19 and 8 mg for women over 19. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to take between 11 mg and 13 mg daily. Expecting mothers, vegans and vegetarians should discuss their special zinc needs with their healthcare practitioners.**

• Pygmy: Sourced from the bark of an African tree, this plant has a long history of use in folk wellness practices. Valued for its beneficial effects on urinary tract and prostate health, pygeum has been shown to modulate the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme that has been linked with many prostate issues.**

 
Saw Palmetto: 
Saw Palmetto promotes prostate health, modulating inflammation of and influencing enzymes in the prostate. Additionally, saw palmetto may:
Support urinary tract health.**
Optimize urinary comfort.**
Optimize male reproductive function.**

A large American palm plant, saw palmetto yields purplish berries that have long been used in Native American wellness traditions. Featuring beneficial compounds such as fatty acids and bioflavonoids, saw palmetto is one of the most renowned prostate supplements, particularly in its ability to help manage BPH. Studies suggest that saw palmetto influences key enzymes while soothing away prostate inflammation.**

• Flower Pollen Extract: This botanically derived supplement helps maintain ideal urinary tract and prostate health. Research indicates flower pollen extract may be particularly effective in prostate supplements due to its ability to modulate inflammation in cases of prostatitis.**

 
Lycopene: 
Lycopene features potent antioxidant activity, helping to maintain youthful, healthy skin. It supports the immune system in addition to working to:**
Optimize prostate health.**
Support breast, colon and cervical health.**
Optimize cardiovascular wellness.**

Plentiful in tomatoes, this red carotenoid pigment is abundant in antioxidants and encourages prostate health. Scientific investigations have noted that lycopene may work against BPH. Along with its support of prostate health, the carotenoid assists in upholding cardiovascular and immune system wellness.**

• Pumpkin Seed Oil: Another staple botanical in prostate supplements with a history of wellness use by Native American tribes, pumpkin seed oil contains minerals, vitamins, flavonoids and antioxidants. Pumpkin seed oil supports prostate health, normal prostate size and comfortable urination.**

Prostate Supplements

​Prostate supplements encourage ideal prostate health. It helps to maintain normal prostate size, helping to soothe away prostate inflammation.** Additionally, prostate supplements may:

• Promote free-flowing, easy urination.**
• Help reduce nighttime urinary urgency.**
• May support a healthy sex drive. **

​Prostate supplements feature natural compounds that are primarily taken from botanical sources. Capsules, softgels and tablets are the most common forms of prostate supplements. Pygeum, saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil in particular are regularly found in combined prostate supplements.**

Prostate Supplements Directions for Use
Before taking prostate supplements or starting any supplemental regimen, consult with your health care provider. Recommended dosages of prostate supplements have not been established. Nutrient doses differ widely based on specific ingredients, with prostate health capsules, softgels and tablets often ranging from 30 mg to 1,200 mg.**