Sunday, September 6, 2009

Prostate Supplements to Aid in Prostate Nutrition

By James E. Bailey

The prostate is a male gland which sits close to the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. A woman's vagina is highly acidic, so the prostate stores and secretes a base fluid that will neutralize the acid and keep the sperm alive longer as they make their journey. It would be very nearly impossible to achieve pregnancy without a properly functioning prostate.

Since the prostate is primarily a gland, it is susceptible to infections and disease. So, men are often advised to have regular prostate exams and take prostate supplements to aid their health and to provide proper prostate nutrition.

The market is saturated with health supplements today - some are valid and others are nothing more than a vitamin additive. Supplements for the prostate are no exclusion. With the increase in the number of prostate cancer diagnoses each year, men are looking to improve the health of their prostates. However, they should read the labels clearly and be sure of the true supplements needed to ensure a healthy prostate.

The two main ingredients that a good prostate supplement should contain are lycopene and saw palmetto. Lycopene is an anti-oxidant - a natural carotenoid that is found in tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that lycopene in the diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Found in the southeastern United States, saw palmetto is an herb. American dwarf palm or cabbage palm are common names for it. Its fruit was used for medicinal purposes by the Seminole tribe of Florida. Although the extent of its advantages haven't been thoroughly studied, some reports have shown that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit an enlarged prostate. Reports have also stated that saw palmetto can stop the conversion of testosterone into the sub-hormone responsible to increase the population of cancerous cells in the prostate.

While there are no "anti-cancer" supplements that will prevent a man from EVER developing prostate cancer, there is still reason to research proper health care for the prostate. Regular exams and blood testing can result in early detection of prostate cancer, which in itself can be a supplement.

There will always be a myriad of supplements that claim to benefit your health, but many of them simply do not contain enough of the active herbal ingredients they need to really be effective. The only way that you're going to be sure you've done everything you can for your prostate is to continue consulting your physician.

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