How's Your Prostate Today?

Its Men’s Health Awareness Month this month, and in the spirit of that, we wanted to talk about different aspects of men's health throughout the month.

Hopefully we can dispel a few myths, share with you some information that will help you to live a healthier lifestyle, and remind you that no matter who you are, looking after your health is paramount.

In amongst the stress of day-to-day life, men have become renowned for ignoring the warning signals as far as their health goes. As a result, things that could be resolved easily have the potential to become much bigger issues. Those issues have a knock-on physical and emotional effect not just for the individual themselves but also their family and friends.

Men’s Health Awareness was started for that very reason – its main purpose being to raise awareness of health issues in not only men, but also in boys and teenagers as they begin to grow and understand their bodies.  The work they do has become extremely important in the introduction of new policies that encourage services focussed on men’s health and help to dispel the stigma and fear attached to conditions that only affect men.

So today fellas, its all about your prostate!

For those of you who don’t really know too much about it, here is the science bit……….

Your prostate is a small gland found only in men that sits below the bladder, helps to regulate urine flow and produce semen. Its about the size of a walnut and tends to enlarge with age, although this is not a prerequisite for prostate cancer.

Every year in the UK, around 50,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer although currently, there isn’t a screening programme for this. Unlike cervical screening which has a formal programme in place, the responsibility of requesting a PSA test lies with the individual.

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is free and can be requested at any point from the age of 50 with the GP. Most men have a PSA level that sits below 3ng/ml but even if the test comes back showing higher levels, around 75% of men will not have cancer. Levels can be raised because of several different conditions including UTI’s, an enlarged prostate or prostatis.

So fella’s the million dollar question is this…… What can you do to keep your prostate healthy, happy and living its best life?

As much as I hate to tell you this – it is reducing some of the naughty stuff that you all love to do, although in amongst that, there is some naughty stuff that you should absolutely be doing to help it out so that will make up for what you need to reduce. I promise!

1. First and Foremost – Eat Fresh

We know this one is a must not just for the old prostate but for our complete physical and mental health.

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and kale are highly recommended. There is ongoing research that suggests phytochemicals within these vegetables can target and kill cancer cells whilst leaving normal prostate cells healthy.

Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are essential fats found exclusively in your diet as well. There is a belief that higher consumption of Omega 3 foods can help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Although more research is being done, the addition of cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout to your diet has been proven to have hugely beneficial effects. Amongst other things, they are known to help lower blood pressure, slow the development of plaque in the arteries, reduce the chance of heart attack or stroke and prevent cancer.

Drink more green tea. Its that simple! There has been mountains of research done on green tea and its impact on the body and for thousands of years, people have been using it for the health benefits. Containing powerful antioxidants and complex compounds, research suggests that it can reduce the risk of cancer by influencing tumour growth, cell death and hormone signalling. Alongside that, it’s believed that green tea is linked with a 64% lower chance of experiencing cognitive impairment through middle age into old age. It’s a no brainer!

Lycopene rich foods are also highly recommended. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to play a role in not just preventing cancer but also heart disease and macular degeneration, (age related deterioration of the central part of retina that can result in visual impairment). For the ladies reading this – Lycopene is also very good for your skin elasticity.

Foods such as cooked tomatoes, papaya, guava, watermelon, mango, sweet red pepper and red cabbage are high in lycopene and out of everything else on our list, definitely the tastiest.

2. Plenty of Vitamin D. (I know - This is easier said than done)

I could be wrong but based on the last couple of months, this may well have been the wettest summer we have had in a while! Nonetheless, getting out in the dry weather and soaking up what vitamin D there is to soak up is vital. Like most of these tips, this one doesn’t just benefit your prostate. It also has a huge impact on mental health, helping to regulate mood and decrease the risk of depression whilst supporting immune health, reducing the likelihood of severe illness, and potentially reducing the risk of MS.

So, put your coat on and get out of the house. Even if its spitting on, an hour in the fresh air with the wind blowing in your face can be exactly what you need and here’s the best bit….. It won’t cost you anything!

3. Take A Seat!

When you gotta go fella’s, you gotta go but research has proven that sitting down while you urinate can be beneficial to your prostate. It helps to reduce the amount of urine left in the tank and increase the urinary flow rate which can help to flush harmful bacteria from your system. Not much more to say on that one!

4. Getting Jiggy with It

I promised you a couple of fun ones and I am absolutely delivering with the next two tips.

First one - have more sex!

A healthy sex life is absolutely fantastic for your prostate. Regular intercourse not only improves prostate health but also reduces stress levels which helps with a myriad of physical and mental health issues and will help to boost intimacy between you and your partner.

Gents, it’s a win-win!

5. Use Prostate Massagers

Without going into too much detail because we are blushing behind our desks, prostate massagers are a brilliant way to not only keep your prostate in great shape but if introduced into your routine for tip 4, it can add a whole new dimension to your bedroom antics.

Prostate massagers work by stimulating the prostate internally. Amongst other things, they clear out ducts of harmful bacteria that can cause a myriad of issues, strengthen the pelvic floor, help improve erectile function by stimulating blood flow, reduce inflammation which can help improve urine flow and ease pressure and swelling by releasing fluids that can build up in the prostate.

Without a doubt, another win-win which will make up for number 6!

6. Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Stop Smoking

We all know the health risks associated with smoking and drinking so I won’t wax lyrical for too long about it!

Don’t get me wrong, we all love a glass of wine here at Normedica. At the end of a busy week, it can be a lovely way to wind down into the weekend but like with most things, if you’re going to drink, moderation needs to be the word of the day.

Both smoking and drinking are responsible not only for certain cancers, but also have a huge impact on cardiovascular and mental health. Alongside that, they are also a huge cause of strokes, brain damage and heart and liver disease.

We all know what we should be doing, but being kind to your prostate means reducing both things quite substantially.

In reality, a lot of what your prostate needs to be able to live its best life is common sense, and the beauty of looking after your prostate is that all these minor changes also mean that the rest of your body is being looked after as well.

There is no secret to a long life. It lies in moderation, healthy food and exercise and once you get to a certain age, regular checks to make sure your prostate is working the way it should. We have an amazing health system that is there for you. Don’t ignore anything that you are concerned about.

If you’re worried, get in touch with your GP and get your prostate checked. The earlier any problems are diagnosed, the more likely it is they can be resolved.