The four changes men can make to help protect their prostate
Pharmacist and Master Herbalist Gerald Quigley discusses the prostate and why it needs the care and attention that it does, as shared on The House of Wellness Radio.
The male prostate gland grows because of the hormone dihydrotestosterone – the breakdown product of testosterone, caused by the action of prolactin. This gland can envelope the urethra – the tube through which urine passes out of the body.
In males, prolactin levels are increased by stress, and also by beer.
Zinc and vitamin B6 can reduce levels of prolactin.
Essential fatty acids, like omega-3 fish or krill oils, slow down the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, while a multivitamin may provide antioxidant protection against environmental toxins.
Take home messages for men
- Get some information about saw palmetto – this is the herb of choice for prostate health as it blocks the activity of dihydrotestosterone.
- Take a good men’s multivitamin.
- Increase your intake of fish, especially oily fish, or take an omega 3 supplement, like krill oil.
- Increase intake of zinc and Vitamin B6, either through natural sources like oysters, or through a supplement.
