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Blokes have a weak spot (at least with their health). It’s the prostate gland. Poor health in this area can seriously interfere with your quality of life; but there are lots of nutritional tactics that can help keep your prostate gland in top shape.
The prostate gland is wrapped around your urethra, the tube that leads from your bladder to outside your body. Its role is to create semen additives, producing substances that will help keep sperm alive on their trip towards the egg to be fertilised. From the time you are born it gradually increases in size, rapidly enlarges in puberty, then remains stable in size for a few decades. You and your prostate might live together quite comfortably until about the age of 45, when hormone levels begin to decline. Then your prostate may enlarge more, up to four times. This is known as ‘benign prostatic hyperplasia’.
As the prostate enlarges, it can begin to block the urethra, slowing the passage of urine, and even pressing on the bladder. Here’s where the impact on a man’s quality of life is felt most acutely, as urinating becomes more frequent, but takes longer, and may still feel ‘incomplete’ afterwards.
You can have a positive impact on the health of your prostate gland by choosing foods that boost reproductive health.
Zinc is a particularly important mineral. Many men are delighted to learn that oysters are one of the richest sources of zinc. (Turns out that the old wives’ tale of oysters being good for your sex life was true). Another great source of zinc is red meat, particularly game meat like Kangaroo. Most blokes are delighted to comply with this nutritional ‘prescription’. More barbeques. More ‘surf n turf’ meals.
But there’s more to it. Your prostate needs other nutrients too, and they’re just as important.
Because the prostate is an endocrine gland, it will respond positively to phytoestrogen-rich, fibre-rich foods. Green leafy vegetables and legumes are beneficial in two ways. The phytoestrogens act as weak mimickers of hormones, blocking the action of excessive levels of circulating hormones. Fibre increases your blood levels of sex hormone binding globulin, another biochemical ‘mop’ for excess hormones from an enlarging prostate.
Antioxidant-rich foods help prevent cell mutation that can lead to prostate cancer. Tomato paste is a rich source of the antioxidant lycopene; herbs and spices like turmeric punch above their weight in their antioxidant power.
So roll out the barbeque, serve up the oysters; and enjoy them with a large plate of green leafy salad with some legumes sprinkled through. It’s good for your prostate, after all.
The prostate gland is wrapped around your urethra, the tube that leads from your bladder to outside your body. Its role is to create semen additives, producing substances that will help keep sperm alive on their trip towards the egg to be fertilised. From the time you are born it gradually increases in size, rapidly enlarges in puberty, then remains stable in size for a few decades. You and your prostate might live together quite comfortably until about the age of 45, when hormone levels begin to decline. Then your prostate may enlarge more, up to four times. This is known as ‘benign prostatic hyperplasia’.
As the prostate enlarges, it can begin to block the urethra, slowing the passage of urine, and even pressing on the bladder. Here’s where the impact on a man’s quality of life is felt most acutely, as urinating becomes more frequent, but takes longer, and may still feel ‘incomplete’ afterwards.
You can have a positive impact on the health of your prostate gland by choosing foods that boost reproductive health.
Zinc is a particularly important mineral. Many men are delighted to learn that oysters are one of the richest sources of zinc. (Turns out that the old wives’ tale of oysters being good for your sex life was true). Another great source of zinc is red meat, particularly game meat like Kangaroo. Most blokes are delighted to comply with this nutritional ‘prescription’. More barbeques. More ‘surf n turf’ meals.
But there’s more to it. Your prostate needs other nutrients too, and they’re just as important.
Because the prostate is an endocrine gland, it will respond positively to phytoestrogen-rich, fibre-rich foods. Green leafy vegetables and legumes are beneficial in two ways. The phytoestrogens act as weak mimickers of hormones, blocking the action of excessive levels of circulating hormones. Fibre increases your blood levels of sex hormone binding globulin, another biochemical ‘mop’ for excess hormones from an enlarging prostate.
Antioxidant-rich foods help prevent cell mutation that can lead to prostate cancer. Tomato paste is a rich source of the antioxidant lycopene; herbs and spices like turmeric punch above their weight in their antioxidant power.
So roll out the barbeque, serve up the oysters; and enjoy them with a large plate of green leafy salad with some legumes sprinkled through. It’s good for your prostate, after all.