Do Supplements Help with Prostate Health? Which Work Best?

What is a Prostate Health Supplement?

Prostate health supplements are dietary supplements that support prostate health and function in men.

This line of supplements helps men maintain a healthy prostate and minimize the common symptoms that may make life uncomfortable, such as frequent urination.

Prostate supplements also help reduce the symptoms that come from an enlarged prostate such as painful ejaculations and pain during urination. They are not responsible for curing any prostate disease but they help in improving prostate health.

What Key Supplement Ingredients Should You Consider When Selecting a Prostate Health Supplement?

When you don't know which prostate health supplement to choose, look for the following ingredients in the variety of supplements you may come across.

Pygeum Africanum Powder

The first one is Pygeum Africanum powder which is a type of tree native to Africa. The bark of this tree is used to make a powder that is sometimes included in supplements for prostate health.

A research study published in the National Library of Medicine has found that the Pygeum Africanum powder may help reduce symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. According to this study, the powder works by decreasing inflammation and preventing certain hormones from causing the prostate cells to multiply too much and grow larger.

When Pygeum Africanum powder is included in a prostate health supplement like Prostate SP or FlowForce Max, it may improve urinary flow, reduce the need to urinate as frequently and provide overall relief from the discomfort of an enlarged prostate.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto has held great appeal to men as a phytotherapy for prostate enlargement for many years because it is derived from a natural source and has relatively few side effects. Says Peter J. Stahl,

M.D., director of male reproductive and sexual medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Saw palmetto is a small palm tree that grows in the southeastern United States. The berries or fruits from this tree are used to make an herbal extract. As men get older, their prostate gland can become enlarged, which is called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.

The extract of this is sometimes added to prostate health supplements because it may help reduce the symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate gland. The prostate gets larger when male hormones like testosterone get converted into another hormone called DHT. A study published by Pilar Pais et al., in the Dovepress Journal, saw that Saw palmetto seems to block or inhibit this conversion, keeping DHT levels lower. With less DHT, the prostate may not grow as much.

Another study published in the Food Science and Nutrition Journal by Ikuya Ishii et al found that saw palmetto can improve urinary flow and reduce nighttime bathroom trips in men with BPH.

Graviola

Graviola is a fruit tree that grows naturally in the warm climates of South and Central America, as well as some Caribbean islands. The fruit it produces is also called soursop or Brazilian paw paw. For centuries, indigenous peoples have used different parts of the graviola plant, including the leaves, bark, roots, and fruit, for medicinal purposes.

In a study published in the Science Reports Journal, by Gagan Deep et al., Graviola extracts may be able to slow down or prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Cat’s Claw

Cat's claw is a vine that grows in the Amazon rainforest. Its bark and roots are used to make supplements. According to a research study published in the National Library of Medicine cat's claw may help reduce inflammation in the prostate gland. An inflamed prostate can cause urinary problems, so a cat's claw could ease symptoms like frequent urination by decreasing swelling.

Nettle

Nettle is a plant that has tiny stinging hairs on its leaves and stems. The root of the nettle plant is used to make supplements. In a study published in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal by Alireza Ghorbanibirgani et al., nettle root is thought to help shrink an enlarged prostate.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi is a type of mushroom that has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine. A PLOS ONE study published showed that reishi mushroom may help fight cancer cells, including prostate cancer cells. It contains compounds that could stop cancer cells from growing and spreading.

Shiitake

Shiitake is a type of edible mushroom. The Wiley International Journal of Cancer published by Shu Zhang et al., that shiitake mushroom extracts are sometimes included in prostrate supplements because they may help reduce inflammation in the prostate gland. The compounds in shiitake are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects that could ease prostate swelling and discomfort. Additionally, shiitake may contain antioxidants that could protect prostate cells from damage.

Maitak

Maitake is also an edible mushroom that grows at the base of trees. A research study published in the Cancer Medicine Journal saw that indeed maitake helps fight prostate cancer cells. Additionally, maitake could reduce inflammation in the prostate gland, relieving issues like difficult urination.

Broccol

Broccoli is a green vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous family of plants. In prostate supplements, broccoli extracts or powders are sometimes included because they contain compounds called isothiocyanates. These compounds may help prevent prostate cancer cells from growing and multiplying. Additionally, a study published in the Current Developments in Nutrition states that broccoli is rich in antioxidants that could protect prostate cells from damage. By potentially inhibiting cancer cell growth and providing antioxidant protection, broccoli in prostate supplements aims to support overall prostate health.

Green Tea

Green tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. According to the Molecules study published by Yasuyoshi Miyata et al., green tea extracts contain antioxidants called polyphenols. These polyphenols may help prevent prostate cancer cells from growing and reduce inflammation in the prostate gland.

Raspberry Juice Powder

Raspberry juice powder is made by extracting and drying the juice from red raspberries. A study published in the Antioxidants Journal concluded that raspberries are high in antioxidants like vitamin C, quercetin, and ellagic acid. These antioxidants may help protect prostate cells from damage caused by free radicals. Raspberry juice powder could also have anti-inflammatory effects that reduce swelling in the prostate gland.

Zinc

For men with low zinc levels, taking a zinc supplement may help restore optimal concentrations in the prostate gland. However, zinc supplements are unlikely to provide benefits for those with normal zinc levels. - Dr. Paul Nguyen, urologist at Harvard Medical School

Zinc is a mineral that is essential for many functions in the human body. As men age, zinc levels in the prostate can decrease. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine supplementing with zinc aims to restore optimal zinc levels in the prostate, which could reduce prostate enlargement and associated symptoms like frequent urination.

How Do Prostate Health Supplements Work to Improve Prostate Health?

These supplements work in different ways. One way prostate health supplements work is by reducing inflammation in the prostate gland. Ingredients like saw palmetto and stinging nettle are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help decrease swelling and relieve pressure on the urethra. Additionally, some compounds found in supplements, such as Pygeum bark extract inhibit the excessive growth of prostate cells, which can contribute to an enlarged prostate.

The Key Benefits of Using Prostate Health Supplement

Here are the key benefits of using prostate health supplements

Relief from enlarged prostate symptoms

A study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that some Ingredients such as Shiitake in prostate health supplements aim to alleviate the urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). These include frequent urination, weak urine stream, and difficulty starting urination.

Prostate cancer risk reduction

Many supplements contain antioxidants from sources like green tea. A study published in the Integrative Cancer Therapies Journal agrees that antioxidants have anti-cancer properties that could inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells, potentially reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Support for overall male reproductive health

A healthy prostate is essential for optimal male reproductive function and Zinc may be just the right ingredient for this. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine Journal, zinc may help maintain testosterone levels and support sexual health and fertility.

Inflammation reduction

Chronic inflammation in the prostate can contribute to discomfort and urinary issues. Fortunately, most prostate health supplements have anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric. A study published in the Biomolecules Journal found that curcumin found it may help reduce prostate inflammation.

Other Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Prostate Health Supplement

Here are some key factors to consider when buying a prostate health supplement:

• The ingredients composition in the formula -Different supplements contain different ingredients. Ensure that you check which ingredients are included in the supplement. Different ingredients are sometimes responsible for different results for the prostate glands.
• Dosage -Supplements have different servings for each ingredient they use. Consider checking out how much of an ingredient has been used in the particular supplement.
• Brand -Get substantial reviews on the potential supplement brands for prostate health. You can settle in with one
• Quantity and Size -Consider the amount of supplements you are to take every day. It can be the number of capsules, how many spoons of powder, and maybe how many drops to use.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Prostate Health Supplements