Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Pygeum. Pygeum or African prune tree (Pygeum africanum) reduces prostate enlargement and blocks DHT from binding to prostate cells. In a large meta-analysis, pygeum provided a moderately large improvement in BPH symptoms and urine flow measurements. Patients with BPH who used pygeum were more than twice as likely to report improvement in overall symptoms. Nocturia was reduced an average of 19 percent, residual urine volume was reduced 24 percent, and peak urine flow was increased 23 percent (Wilt T et al 2002b).

Cernitin. The studies on this extract of bee pollen in men who have symptoms of prostate enlargement have had good results. Cernitin has been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cells in the laboratory (Habib FK et al 1990). In human studies, when combined with saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, and vitamin E, cernitin was able to help reduce symptoms. In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, 144 patients were enrolled from three centers around the United States. The patients were given either placebo or the combination product for 3 months. At the end of the study, there was a "highly significant" difference in the symptom index score between the men taking the natural product and the men taking placebo. The natural product also had no significant adverse effects (Preuss HG et al 2001). Earlier studies have shown that cernitin extract alone can reduce symptoms (Yasumoto R et al 1995).

Beta-sitosterol. Beta-sitosterol is a plant fat contained in several European prostate drugs; however, it is not routinely used in the United States. Multiple randomized studies have confirmed the efficacy of beta-sitosterol in alleviating the types of prostate discomfort that aging men so frequently encounter. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of 200 men who had benign prostate enlargement, half the group received 180 milligrams (mg) of beta-sitosterol daily, while the other half received placebo. After 6 months, the group taking beta-sitosterol had improvement in major symptom scales (Berges RR et al 1995). In a follow-up study that evaluated durability of response to beta-sitosterol, the beneficial effects of beta-sitosterol were maintained for an additional 18 months (Berges RR et al 2000).

Lycopene. Progression of BPH to prostate cancer is a significant concern for patients with BPH. Lycopene has been shown to lower the occurrence of prostate carcinoma (Cristoni A et al 2000), suggesting that lycopene may help prevent prostate cancer. Lycopene's mechanisms of action have been studied in patients who consumed tomato sauce before having a prostatectomy (Chen L et al 2001). Lycopene decreased serum PSA levels and oxidative DNA damage in prostate tissue. Programmed cell death (apoptosis) showed a tendency to increase in patients with BPH after they consumed tomato sauce (Kim HS et al 2003). Larger studies are required to prove the promising effect that tomato sauce may have on programmed cell death in patients with BPH.

Micronutrients and additional nutrients. Evidence indicates that micronutrients such as boron, selenium, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, phytoestrogens, and phytosterols may provide benefits in maintaining prostate health (Thomas JA 1999; Feustel A et al 1987). Additional studies have suggested that intake of omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) can inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT (Pham H et al 2002). Finally, newer research is showing that vitamin D might be able to arrest prostate growth through unknown mechanisms (Colli E et al 2006).

Lifestyle Changes

Specific lifestyle changes can reduce the symptoms associated with BPH. If you want to reduce symptoms associated with BPH:

• Eat ample amounts of fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables. The high mineral and vitamin content (especially of vitamins E and D) of these foods are essential for general health and metabolism but can also reflect positively on prostate cells.
• Reduce stress, both on and off the job.
• Exercise regularly.
• Keep your weight within normal limits.
• Keep track of the number of times you urinate during the night. See your physician as soon as you notice an increase in frequency.
• If your physician prescribes medication to treat your BPH, follow his or her directions precisely. Make sure your physician knows about all botanical extracts or nutritional supplements you are taking.

Product Availability

All the nutrients and supplements discussed in this section are available through the Life Extension Foundation Buyers Club, Inc. For ordering information, call anytime toll-free 1-800-544-4440, or visit us online at www.LifeExtension.com.

The blood tests discussed in this section are available through Life Extension National Diagnostics, Inc. For ordering information, call anytime toll-free 1-800-208-3444, or visit us online at www.LifeExtension.com