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Supplements for Prostate Health: How Effective Are They?

Prostate disorders have become quite common among 21st century men. The number of diagnosed cases has escalated alarmingly, particularly in Western countries. With the increasing number of reported cases, researchers and scientists have developed various sets of treatment protocols to help manage conditions affecting the prostate gland. However, maintaining a healthy prostate is still the best way to avoid having to undergo strenuous treatment tactics to manage these problems. In the past few years, supplements for prostate health have been made available to help men minimize their chances of developing any of these disorders.

Supplements for prostate health are not cures, they are habits and nutrients that can help improve a man's prostate health and thereby narrow his chances of acquiring prostate-related disorders such as prostatitis, enlarged prostate and even cancer. According to studies, nutrition is the most important factor both in the development and management of prostate gland diseases. Proper diet and a healthy lifestyle are believed to be key elements in maintaining a healthy prostate.

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It is located under the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. The position of the prostate allows it to affect the processes of urination and ejaculation. To maintain the health of the prostate gland, experts have claimed that excessive intake of animal-derived foods such as red meat and dairy products should be avoided. This claim is primarily based on statistics which showed that Western men have a higher percentage of prostate diseases compared with Asian men. Westerners are more inclined to have red meat in their diet, while Asians are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits.

Another factor that contributes to prostate health is lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant agent that can be found in tomatoes, guavas, watermelon and pink grapefruit. When it comes to minerals, zinc has been hailed as the most effective in helping lower a man's chances of developing prostate disorders. Zinc can be found in shellfish, yeast and pumpkin seeds. Since men tend to lose zinc when they ejaculate, their need for this particular mineral is higher than that of women. A daily intake of 50 to 100 milligrams of zinc has been recommended by health experts to ensure a proper level of supply in the body.

Soy products are another of those groups of foods recommended to men, particularly those aged 45 and above. Some scientists have speculated that Japanese men have lower incidence of prostate cancer compared with American men because they have higher intakes of soy foods. Tofu, tempeh, miso and soy milk are common in most Japanese men's dietary programs. Aside from their long-proven nutritional functions, soy products also contain two substances that seem to help fight cancer. These are genistein and isoflavinoids. These chemicals have been found to be particularly effective against hormone-dependent cancers like prostate cancer.

Most supplements for prostate health are found in ordinary natural foods that people can easily get their hands on. Even though these supplements cannot cure cancer, they can help in developing the defenses of men against prostate disorders.