The prostate gland is a single doughnut shaped gland about the size of a walnut that lies just below the bladder. It secretes a milky substance that makes up about 25% of semen. The prostate surrounds the upper part of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder. From puberty to the age of 30, the gland grows but then remains stable until the age of about 45, when further enlargement may occur.

Prostate problems can involve the following:

• enlarged prostate known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• prostatitis, caused by bacterial infection 
• prostate cancer

Warning signs of prostate problems include: 

• difficulty or pain when passing urine
• the need to pass urine more often
• broken sleep due to increased visits to the toilet
• waiting for long periods before the urine flows
• the feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully

If you experience any of these problems, you need to consult your GP for further tests. However, the following recommendations may help reduce BPH and there is some evidence that some of these interventions may help prevent prostate cancer.

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between high dietary fat and prostate cancer. A number of studies support a positive connection between milk or dairy consumption and a higher risk of prostate cancer. It is suggested that this may be due to high levels of saturated fats. Resultant oxidative stress to these fats and therefore increased free radical damage to DNA may, in the long term, lead to cancer. Research indicates that soy protein may inhibit prostate cancer, therefore, increasing this protein in the diet, in the form of soymilk and tofu is advisable. The same study also looked at rye and found that this also inhibited prostate cancer growth.

It is well known that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is important for good health. Studies now suggest that they may also be important for a healthy prostate. Choose darkly coloured fruits and vegetables. These are rich in carotenoids and flavonoids, which can protect against cancer. Include as many different varieties as possible. Vitamin and mineral supplement use is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer. Research indicates that the following may be of benefit:

• Vitamin A. Retinoids may play a role in the prevention of prostate cancer 
• Vitamin C. It is suggested that ascorbic acid is a potent anticancer agent for prostate cancer cells.
• Vitamin E. Studies suggest that long-term supplementation with alpha-tocopherol may substantially reduce prostate cancer incidence and mortality in male smokers.
• Selenium. This mineral, found mainly in whole grains, meat and fish is often deficient in our diets. Recent trials have found that reduced selenium intake may be related to prostate cancer.
• Zinc. The prostate contains the highest concentration of zinc of any organ in the human body. Levels are shown to decrease in cancer. Further to this, studies have shown that zinc may inhibit prostate cancer cell growth.

The connection between zinc and testosterone

Testosterone plays a key role in prostate growth. As a man ages, testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increases, which enhances tissue growth of the prostate. Zinc inhibits the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. DHT is increased in prostate enlargement and cancer.

Herbal support with saw palmetto

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract, which comes from the berries of a dwarf palm tree, has been used for many years to help with prostate problems. In a recent editorial in the Journal Urology, a large study showed that saw palmetto is safe and causes no changes to standard blood tests -including prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests. Doctors had feared that saw palmetto might alter PSA scores, making it harder to detect cancer. It was also found that saw palmetto is as effective as, and less likely, to cause impotence than Proscar - a prescription drug often used to treat BPH.

Saw palmetto has been found to actively shrink prostate tissue, although the mechanism of action is not fully understood. It has been suggested that the remedy might act by inducing cell death or blocking blood-vessel growth in prostate tissue.

Lycopene

A review of 72 studies found that lycopene, a naturally occurring substance found in tomatoes, is particularly effective in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.