In episode 55 of his video series, Dr. Larson discusses:
Many men who are experiencing prostate issues search for alternatives to medications that can sometimes come with side effects. The prostate is a gland that is involved in both sexual and reproductive function in men. Like any other gland in the body, it is vulnerable to regulatory issues. One of the most common problems is enlargement of the prostate, which can also be called prostate hypertrophy or prostatic hyperplasia. Prostatitis is an enlargement of the prostate that is caused by infection, which requires the use of antibiotics, but there are many reasons for the prostate to become enlarged.
Those who are looking for alternative options can find some relief with natural therapies which have been shown to decrease inflammation of the prostate. They work by helping to support healthy prostate function. Common natural alternatives to medication help to balance hormonal levels and to regulate them to decrease inflammation. Testosterone has to be metabolized in the body; if there are metabolization problems, it can lead to prostate enlargement. In the body, testosterone gets converted into DHT or dihydrotestosterone.
Some DHT is healthy and normal, but an excessive amount can create an imbalance that can cause the prostate to swell and cause dysregulation. Another way that hormone metabolism problems can happen is if testosterone is converted into too much estrogen via an enzyme called aromatase. Although commonly thought of as a female hormone, men do need some estrogen. But, too much can cause an imbalance leading to prostate problems. So, keeping both DHT and estrogen in balance is essential for prostate regulation.
There are four key botanical ingredients commonly found in prostate supplements; they are saw palmetto, pygeum, pumpkin seed oil, and nettles. Pure Encapsulations’ “Saw Palmetto Plus” contains an excellent quality of them. It is important to choose a supplement that has a high standard of active ingredients of these four botanicals if you intend to use them for medicinal purposes. Stinging nettles and saw palmetto both work by influencing or modulating those enzymes that work to convert testosterone into DHT through the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, they also help influence the conversion of testosterone into estrogen via the aromatase enzyme, by striking a normal balance and modulating the conversion.
Studies show that taking these two products can help to increase urine output. The reason that urine output is an excellent measure of reduction in prostate swelling is that when the prostate is enlarged, the urethra which runs through it, gets clamped down, and it causes a decrease in urine flow. So, if urine output increases that is a good indication that the edema has decreased.
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, which are an anti-inflammatory agents that help to decrease inflammation in the prostate. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in zinc, an important mineral that is found in abundance in the prostate. Zinc works as an antioxidant, which decreases oxidation to help your prostate function better. Pygeum is a botanical agent that helps to balance a hormone called prolactin. Prolactin can influence the production of prostaglandins.
There are both inflammatory prostaglandins and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Pygeum helps to balance the prostaglandins to reduce edema of the prostate. If you are going to use botanicals or other natural agents to help the function of your prostate, make sure to read the label and understand what the active ingredients do. You will also want to ensure that there are enough of the active ingredients necessary to increase your prostate’s health and function.
Recommended prostate support Product
