Essential minerals and vitamins for prostate health.

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that is vital for the normal sexual and urinary functions of men. And,as such the prostate health is of great concern for men.

As men age, they can be bothered with prostate issues such as prostate enlargement or prostate cancer. These can give rise to several uncomfortable urinary and ejaculatory symptoms that seriously deteriorate quality of life.

Developing a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and adequate physical activity coupled with regular prostate examinations is a great way to ensure prostate health on a long term basis.

The truth is that there is no "magic pill" that ensures prostate health. Through regular doctor visits one can know of the possible nutrient deficiencies. And, adding nutrient rich foods to the diet to supplement such deficiencies can lower the risk of onset and progression of prostate related diseases. This is the guaranteed first step towards preventing prostate issues and thereby, protecting prostate health.

Several trace minerals have been identified to be critical for prostate health.

Zinc

Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in humans. It is essential for the majority of the physiological functions of the body. It also enhances the immune system of the body. But it can’t be stored in the body, thus regular dietary intake is required.

Zinc plays a unique role in the prostate gland. The prostate gland can accumulate 10 to 15 times more zinc than any other body tissues. This is crucial for the development and normal functioning of the prostate. Such high levels of zinc facilitates citrate accumulation in the prostate cell and its secretion into prostatic fluid,its major function. Zinc is also an important constituent of prostatic fluid as well.

Zinc has been found to be a powerful tumor suppressor in prostate cells. It induces programmed cell death, apoptosis causing prostatic cells to die when they are not needed or could cause damage. It also inhibits cell migration and invasion into other tissues, a characteristic that is common in malignant cells.

Several studies have reported that zinc is markedly decreased (~60–80%) in prostate cancer cells compared to normal cells.This decrease in zinc, along with the corresponding decrease in citrate levels, is the most consistent and persistent biochemical marker that differentiates prostate cancer cells from normal and benign prostate cells.

Likewise, zinc also has a protective role in BPH.

It has been shown in several studies that older adults aged 50 and above frequently have low zinc status. Hence,older adults vulnerable to the onset of BPH and prostate cancer need zinc supplementation.

Zinc supplementation appears to positively benefit their general health, immune system, and prostate gland.

A 2009 study showed that the risk of advanced prostate cancer decreased significantly with intake of supplemental zinc.

Optimal zinc supplementation falls between 30-85 mg a day.Foods such as oysters,

cashew nuts,pumpkin seeds,eggs,yogurt,chickpeas etc are rich in zinc and can be included in the diet.

Selenium

Selenium is another essential trace mineral needed for many body functions, including immunity and reproduction. Hence it is indispensable for prostate health.

Selenium combats oxidative stress and therefore, may play a role in many diseases including cancer.

Several population studies and clinical trials have been done to find out if selenium can prevent or treat prostate cancer.The results of these studies have been mixed.

A review of 15 studies found that blood selenium levels and levels of selenium measured in toenail clippings were linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

One study tracking men for up to 10 years found that those who had high levels of selenium in their blood had a lower risk of prostate cancer.

The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study including 4,459 men with localized prostate cancer that had not spread to other parts of the body found that taking selenium supplements after diagnosis may increase the risk of death from prostate cancer. The study investigators recommended caution for men with prostate cancer in taking selenium supplements.

SELECT,a large clinical trial begun by the National Cancer Institute in 2001 to test the efficacy of selenium and/or vitamin E in preventing prostate cancer when taken as dietary supplements with over 35,000 men, aged 50 years and older found that selenium supplements in men with low selenium levels at the start of the trial had no effect on prostate cancer risk. However, selenium supplements in men who had high levels of selenium at the start of the trial increased the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

Further,SELECT suggested that changes in certain genes which control the selenium metabolism can be the reason for this increased risk.The authors concluded that men should avoid selenium at doses that are higher than the recommended dietary intake.

A meta-analysis of 38 studies including 36,419 cases and 105,293 controls found selenium most probably has a protective role against development of prostate cancer and its progression to advanced stages. Therefore, selenium supplementation can be proposed for prevention of prostate cancer.

In short, selenium supplementation should be done only under doctor's guidance.Optimum selenium dosage for adult men is 40 to 70 micrograms (mcg) per day. Some of the natural sources of selenium are eggs, sunflower seeds,brown rice, brazil nuts, chicken,turkey etc.

Lycopene

Lycopene is a carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been associated with numerous biological activities.

It modulates several important processes such as apoptosis and inflammation.

As an antioxidant, lycopene protects cellular biomolecules such as lipoproteins, lipids, DNA, and proteins and as such prevents cancer.

Studies have suggested the role of lycopene in preventing prostate cancer.

The anti-inflammatory effects of lycopene due to its lipophilic nature, makes it a potent agent for the treatment of cancer.

In some tissue culture experiments, lycopene has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth by posing inhibition in the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis in the cancerous cells.

Red fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pink guavas, apricots, watermelons, and pink grapefruits are important sources of lycopene.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that take part in a numerous biological activities such as calcium and bone metabolism and cell differentiation into different immune cells.It,thereby helps to keep the immune system strong.

Vitamin D has anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. It supports immune health, muscle function and brain cell activity.

Vitamin D can bind to specific receptors in the prostate and bladder,and thus reduce inflammation and prostate growth.

Several studies have shown Vit D deficiency to be directly related to increased prostate volume and enlarged prostate of over 40 gm in BPH men and hence increased urinary symptoms.

New findings suggest that prostate tumors in particular can become highly aggressive when a man’s vitamin D levels are too low. A report in the journal Clinical Cancer Research showed that the lower the vitamin D level, the more aggressive the prostate cancer.

A 2017 study found lower vitamin D levels in people with prostate cancer. The study also found that prostate cancer was more severe in people with the lowest vitamin D levels and found a correlation between low vitamin D and higher levels of inflammation in people with prostate cancer.

Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown Vit D to induce apoptosis, prevent tumor cell invasiveness, and suppress tumor-induced angiogenesis.

This points to a potential role of vitamin D in preventing or slowing cancer growth.

Optimum dosage of vitamin D is 600 international units for men up to age 70, and 800 international units thereafter.

Natural sunlight is a highly accessible source of vitamin D. 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure during the brightest hours may offer sufficient vitamin D.

Some dietary sources of Vit D are cod liver oil, fishes like salmon, tuna, and sardines, orange juice, dairy products such as yogurt and milk, beef liver, egg yolks, and fortified cereals.

Calcium

Calcium is an essential mineral that helps to keep bones strong. Strong bones are important for supporting the prostate.

Good sources of calcium include milk,cheese,yogurt,

broccoli,kale, chinese cabbage,fortified cereals, juices, tofu,soy products etc.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, nuts, and seeds. They have been shown to reduce inflammation, which can be beneficial for prostate health.

Watch here: The Unexpected Link Between Prostate Problems And Your Kidneys

Vitamin C

Research indicates that vitamin C could reduce the chance of developing enlarged prostate symptoms.

Oxidative stress is thought to be a contributing factor in BPH so this may explain why nutrients such as vitamin C, which have rich antioxidant properties, may help to ease symptoms.

Natural sources of Vit C include citrus fruit,such as oranges and lemons,peppers,

strawberries,blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts,potatoes etc.

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to prostate health. What works for one man may not work for another. Also, overdose may cause more harm than benefit. So,it is important to talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

References

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