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What foods are good for an

enlarged prostate?
The prostate gland is a small, walnut-shaped gland that
sits behind the bladder in men. During sexual activity,
the prostate gland helps produce semen, the nutrient-
rich fluid that carries the sperm during ejaculation.

As some men get older, the prostate gland can become enlarged, a condition known as
benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

In this article, learn what foods to eat to ease the symptoms of BPH.
Diet and an enlarged prostate

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are recommended as part of an enlarged


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prostate diet.
The prostate gland is controlled by powerful hormones known as the sex hormones,
including testosterone.

In the prostate gland, testosterone is converted to another hormone called


dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT cause the cells in the prostate to
enlarge.

Certain foods and beverages are known to have an impact on prostate health because
of their effects on testosterone and other hormones.

Research has found that a diet primarily consisting of meat or dairy products can
increase the risk of prostate enlargement and cancer. This is especially true if a person
does not incorporate enough vegetables into their diet.

Foods to eat
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is thought to protect the prostate.

Specific foods known to benefit the prostate include:

 Salmon: Salmon is rich in healthy fats that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which


help prevent and reduce inflammation within the body. Other cold-water fish,
such as sardines and trout, are also rich in these types of fats.
 Tomatoes: Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that may
benefit prostate gland cells. Cooking tomatoes, such as in tomato sauce or soup,
helps to release the lycopene and make it more readily available to the body.
 Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are excellent
sources of antioxidants, which help to remove free radicals from the body. Free
radicals are the byproducts of reactions that occur within the body and can
cause damage and disease over time.
 Broccoli: Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, including bok choy,
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, contain a chemical known as
sulforaphane. This is thought to target cancer cells and promote a healthy
prostate.
 Nuts: Nuts are rich in zinc, a trace mineral. Zinc is found in high
concentrations in the prostate and is thought to help balance testosterone and
DHT. Besides nuts, shellfish and legumes are also high in zinc. Mixed nuts are
available for purchase in grocery stores and online.
 Citrus: Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are all high in vitamin C,
which may help to protect the prostate gland.
 Onions and garlic: One study found that men with BPH tended to eat less
garlic and onions that men without BPH. More research is needed to confirm
these results, but onions and garlic are healthful additions to most diets.

Also, some studies on plant extract therapies, such as an extract from a type of palm
tree known as saw palmetto, have been shown to have a positive impact on the
prostate size and urinary flow. More research is needed, however.

Foods to avoid
Share on Pinterest Caffeine should be avoided as part of a diet for an enlarged prostate.

A healthful diet for an enlarged prostate is more than just eating good foods. It also
means avoiding other types of foods that are not good for the prostate.

Some foods to avoid include:

 Red meat: Research suggests that going red meat-free may help improve


prostate health. In fact, daily meat consumption is believed to triple the risk of
prostate enlargement.
 Dairy: Similarly to meat, regular consumption of dairy has been linked to an
increased risk of BPH. Cutting out or reducing butter, cheese, and milk may
help reduce BPH symptoms.
 Caffeine: Caffeine may act as a diuretic, which means that it increases how
much, how often, and how urgently a person has to urinate. Cutting back
on coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate may improve urinary symptoms of BPH.
 Alcohol: Alcohol can also stimulate urine production. Men with BPH may find
that their symptoms are improved by giving up alcohol.
 Sodium: A high salt intake may increase the urinary tract symptoms associated
with BPH. Following a low-sodium diet by not adding salt to meals and
avoiding processed foods may be helpful for some men.

Managing an enlarged prostate


Dietary changes can be quite effective in managing some of the symptoms of BPH,
but other basic lifestyle changes can help as well.

Some strategies that may ease BPH symptoms include:

 managing stress
 quitting smoking
 avoiding fluids in the evening to reduce nighttime urination
 emptying the bladder completely when urinating
 doing pelvic floor exercises
 avoiding medications that can worsen symptoms, such as antihistamines,
diuretics, and decongestants if possible
 trying bladder training exercises
 limiting fluid intake to 2 liters of liquids each day
If these lifestyle changes are not effective, medication or surgery may be
recommended by a doctor.

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Enlarged prostate symptoms


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The symptoms of an enlarged prostate may include difficulty urinating and pain after
erest

ejaculation.

An enlarged prostate or BPH is fairly common. Over 14 million men in the United
States experienced BPH symptoms in 2010.

Symptoms of BPH include:

 increased urinary frequency and urgency


 difficulty starting urination
 weak urine stream or dribble at the end of urination
 interrupted urination
 frequent urination at night
 incontinence
 pain after ejaculation
 painful urination
 urinary retention or inability to urinate
These symptoms occur when an enlarged prostate gland blocks the urethra, the tube
that runs between the bladder and outside of the body. This blockage can make it
difficult or even impossible to pass urine.

Treating BPH depends on the severity of the symptoms. Sometimes, only basic
lifestyle changes are needed.

However, there are also medications or surgical procedures that can be effective in
reducing the size of the prostate or the symptoms associated with BPH.

Takeaway
Treating BPH can range from making simple lifestyle and dietary changes at home to
medication and surgery. Reducing red meat consumption and eating plenty of fruits
and vegetables can help manage symptoms.

It is important to stay in communication with a doctor about symptoms, particularly if


the doctor suggested a “watch and wait” approach.

If the suggested lifestyle changes are not effective in reducing the symptoms, more
aggressive treatment may be needed.

What are the effects of an enlarged


prostate on sex?
Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, MD

Learn about how benign prostatic hyperplasia can affect sexual function. We look at
the effects and treatment options, including surgery, here

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Prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland, is a common urinary tract problem.
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Flomax is a drug that is often used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is an
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While more research needs to be done in the area of diet and prostate cancer,
there is evidence to suggest that certain foods may help reduce your risk for
the disease. It’s a good idea to check in with your doctor before making
changes to your diet, especially if you’re receiving treatment for prostate
cancer, as certain foods may interact with different drugs and therapies. For
example, some supplements that are high in antioxidants (e.g., pomegranate
extract) may counteract the effects of radiation therapy. Therefore, you should
avoid supplements with high levels of antioxidants during radiation treatment.
That said, most of the items on this list are whole foods. Eating them is part of
a healthy lifestyle and, at very least, may help you feel your best.

 
Blood sugar control is at the center of any diabetes treatment plan. High blood sugar,
or hyperglycemia, is a major concern, and can affect people with both type 1 and type 2
diabetes . There are two main kinds:

 Fasting hyperglycemia. This is blood sugar that's higher than 130 mg/dL (milligrams
per deciliter) after not eating or drinking for at least 8 hours.
 Postprandial or after-meal hyperglycemia. This is blood sugar that's higher than 180
mg/dL 2 hours after you eat. People without diabetes rarely have blood sugar levels over
140 mg/dL after a meal, unless it’s really large.
Frequent or ongoing high blood sugar can cause damage to your nerves, blood vessels, and
organs. It can also lead to other serious conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are prone to a
build-up of acids in the blood called ketoacidosis.
If you have type 2 diabetes or if you’re at risk for it, extremely high blood sugar can lead to a
potentially deadly condition in which your body can’t process sugar. It's called hyperglycemic
hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). You’ll pee more often at first, and then less often
later on, but your urine may become dark and you could get severely dehydrated.
It's important to treat symptoms of high blood sugar right away to help prevent complications.

Causes
Your blood sugar may rise if you:

 Skip or forget your insulin or oral glucose-lowering medicine


 Eat too many grams of carbohydrates for the amount of insulin you took, or eat too many
carbs in general
 Have an infection
 Are ill
 Are under stress
 Become inactive or exercise less than usual
 Take part in strenuous physical activity, especially when your blood sugar levels are high
and insulin levels are low

Symptoms
Early signs include:

 Increased thirst
 Headaches
 Trouble concentrating
 Blurred vision
 Frequent peeing
 Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
 Weight loss
 Blood sugar more than 180 mg/dL

Ongoing high blood sugar may cause:

 Vaginal and skin infections
 Slow-healing cuts and sores
 Worse vision
 Nerve damage causing painful cold or insensitive feet, loss of hair on the lower
extremities, or erectile dysfunction
 Stomach and intestinal problems such as chronic constipation or diarrhea
 Damage to your eyes, blood vessels, or kidneys

How Is It Treated?
If you have diabetes and notice any of the early signs of high blood sugar, test your blood sugar
and call the doctor. He may ask you for the results of several readings. He could recommend the
following changes:
Drink more water. H20 helps remove excess sugar from your blood through urine, and it helps
you avoid dehydration.
Exercise more. Working out can help lower your blood sugar. But under certain conditions, it
can make blood sugar go even higher. Ask your doctor what kind of exercise is right for you.
Caution: If you have type 1 diabetes and your blood sugar is high, you need to check your urine
for ketones. When you have ketones, do NOT exercise. If you have type 2 diabetes and your
blood sugar is high, you must also be sure that you have no ketones in your urine and that you
are well-hydrated. Then your doctor might give you the OK to exercise with caution as long as
you feel up to it.
Change your eating habits. You may need to meet with a dietitian to change the amount and
types of foods you eat.
Switch medications. Your doctor may change the amount, timing, or type of
diabetes medications you take. Don’t make changes without talking to him first.
If you have type 1 diabetes and your blood sugar is more than 250 mg/ dL, your doctor may want
you to test your urine or blood for ketones.
Call your doctor if your blood sugar is running higher than your treatment goals.

How to Prevent It
If you work to keep your blood sugar under control -- follow your meal plan, exercise program,
and medicine schedule -- you shouldn’t have to worry about hyperglycemia. You can also:

 Know your diet -- count the total amounts of carbs in each meal and snack.

 Test your blood sugar regularly.

 Tell your doctor if you have repeated abnormal blood sugar readings.
 Wear medical identification to let people know you have diabetes in case of an
emergency.

WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Nayana Ambardekar, MD on May 11, 2019

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