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Let’s talk about one of our favorite topics: the prostate! 

Positioned below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, the prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that functions to produce seminal fluid (think of a fluid that helps nourish and transport sperm cells). Fellas (ladies, too), we have to take care of this unsung hero! So how do we do that? We have to consider our diet and lifestyle choices that may impact prostate health.

Two main prostate problems men should be aware of are benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. BPH is essentially an enlargement of the prostate. Recall, the prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, so an increase in prostate size may block urine flow, which is why men with BPH may experience pain or difficulty urinating. These urinary symptoms may be an indicator of an enlarged prostate and require the attention of a physician. Examples of common drugs used to treat BPH and its symptoms are tamsulosin and finasteride. Prostate cancer can present with the same urinary troubles or no symptoms at all! That is why it is so important to remain active in monitoring your health and take action for men’s health. Treatment extends beyond medication and typically consists of radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. We have covered this topic extensively in our podcasts, but we cannot deliver a message as moving as our guest Kim Burns Cummings. Check out her father’s story in our podcasts section.

A stigma surrounding men’s health is that in order to check your prostate’s health, it requires a doctor to snap on those gloves (we all can hear that “snap” right now) and perform a digital exam. A more preferable route is a blood sample taken via a finger-prick. This blood sample can be used to detect for levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA levels tend to be individualized but elevated trends may indicate prostate problems. Yearly PSA exams are now being recommended to men as young as 35 years old. They are relatively cheap and can be done from the comfort of your home by companies such as imaware.

Since we love to discuss preventative measures for ultimate prostate health, here are some of our favorite sources of nutrition for optimal prostate health!

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