You can promote optimal prostate health and urinary tract function with a healthy routine that incorporates regular exercise, stress management, and nutritional support. In addition to this, discussing prostate health with your doctor is essential. Asking questions is fundamental to understanding prostate function, so you can take preventative measures that support optimal health and vitality.
The 8 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Health
There are many questions about the prostate, so I want to take a moment to answer the most frequently asked questions to help you along your health journey.
1. Why is the prostate important?
The prostate is essential to male reproductive health, producing most of the fluid that makes up semen. It is typically the size of a walnut but continues to grow as part of normal aging. This normal growth can put pressure on the nearby urethra, causing common age-related urinary symptoms. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to support healthy prostate growth and function.
2. When should men have prostate screenings?
The normal growth of the prostate can affect urinary function, but with a proactive approach, common age-related urinary symptoms can be reduced. All men between the ages of 50 and 69 should consider getting prostate exams done regularly. If you have a relative that experienced common prostate symptoms, then your doctor may recommend that regular screenings start as early as age 40.
3. Why do I frequently go to the bathroom in the middle of the night?
The anatomical position of the prostate is such that the normal growth of this organ can put pressure on the nearby bladder and urethra. With the right nutritional support and healthy habits, you can support healthy prostate size and hormone levels. This will help promote and maintain a healthy lower urinary tract with normal nighttime urination, urgency, and stream, all of which affect quality of life.
4. Does being inactive affect prostate health?
As part of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise can help support prostate and urinary tract health. Regular physical activity promotes antioxidant capacity in the body, which helps reduce typical oxidative stress to support healthy prostate cell growth and function. Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, and swimming, along with strengthening workouts like yoga, can help support prostate health. Kegel exercises that strengthen pelvic floor muscles are especially beneficial in supporting bladder and urinary tract function.
5. Can we live without our prostate?
Although the prostate is essential for reproduction, it is not essential to live. There are occasions when doctors may recommend prostate removal, but you can still live a healthy life without your prostate. In the event of prostate removal, discuss your post-surgical options, such as bladder and pelvic floor training to help maintain a normal urination schedule.
6. Can weight affect prostate health?
Maintaining a healthy weight supports proper blood circulation, which ensures the prostate gets the nutrients it needs. Healthy weight management also helps reduce typical oxidative stress to support every system in your body, including your prostate, urinary tract, and reproductive system.
7. What are the main factors that influence prostate health?
The prostate continues to grow as part of normal aging. In addition to age, family history plays a role. While you cannot control these factors, you can still take control of your prostate health and quality of life. Taking a proactive approach that includes lifestyle changes can support healthy prostate growth at any age.
8. How do I keep my prostate healthy?
You can maintain optimal prostate and urinary tract function with a healthy routine that incorporates balanced nutrition, regular exercise, proper sleep, stress management, proper hydration, and regular doctor visits and prostate screenings.
Taking Supplements for Prostate Health
In addition to regular exercise and a balanced diet, there are benefits to adding supplements to your prostate health routine. The right supplement can help fill dietary gaps to ensure your prostate gets the essential nutrients it needs.
I recommend 1MD Nutrition’s ProstateMD® to anyone looking to maintain optimal prostate and urinary tract health. This comprehensive formula includes:
♦ USPlus® saw palmetto, the only saw palmetto extract in the United States to receive verified certification from US Pharmacopeia (USP) and Consumer Labs, making it one of the highest-quality saw palmetto extracts for normal prostate function, bladder control, and urinary tract health
♦ Pumpkin seed oil, which is full of zinc to support healthy prostate function to reduce common age-related urinary issues
♦ Pygeum bark, which helps reduce occasional oxidative stress to support urinary tract health and normal urinary flow
♦ Stinging nettle, which promotes the production of nitric oxide, an important molecule that supports urinary muscle activity to help maintain a normal urination schedule
Final Thoughts
Knowledge is essential in the promotion of prostate health, and it is important to discuss prostate and urinary tract function with your doctor. By asking questions, you can get the information you need. Once armed with the facts, you can ensure that your daily routine includes the right nutrition, exercise, and habits for optimal prostate health.
Dr. Daniel Brison
Dr. Daniel Brison is a board certified urologist who completed medical school at the State University of New York, and residency at the prestigious Endourology fellowship program at UCLA.
