Looking After Your Prostate: Start Now and Feel the Benefits Later ...

For many men, the idea of prostate health lurks in the back of their conscious- it?s important, it?s something that will become increasingly important the older one gets, but it?s not something to think about now???is it? Well, actually studies are showing that taking steps to look after your prostate throughout your life can drastically reduce the risk of prostate problems, including cancer, at a later age.

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a male gland, found just below the bladder. It plays an incredibly important role in the production of semen, producing a fluid that protects the sperm as it passes out of the body. The fluid that the prostate produces makes up to 30% of the total semen production.

However, many men experience problems with their prostate at around the age of 50 or over; this is often because the prostate starts to enlarge in later life, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, that two thirds of men will suffer from. As the gland grows larger, it starts to press on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. This can produce the sensation of needing to urinate, or often make urinating harder or painful.

At about the same age, the chance of prostate cancer increases sharply.In fact, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that men can suffer from. Since the early signs of the cancer are often symptom-less, it is easy for it to go undetected. By protecting the health of your prostate, you can really make huge steps towards lessening these serious problems, or even avoiding them altogether! The earlier in life you start, the more effectively you can protect yourself against future ailments.

How Can I Protect My Prostate?

	Exercise regularly! Studies show that men who are overweight are more commonly diagnosed with prostate cancer. By doing regular exercise, you can keep your weight under control, which will lessen your risk factor, and increase your over-all health and wellbeing.
	Don?t Smoke! Evidence shows that men who have smoked regularly throughout their life are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer!
	Eat Plenty of Fruit and Vegetables! Particularly those which are dark leafy vegetables. These are known as cruciferous vegetables, and include broccoli and brussel sprouts; They are high in vitamin C, soluble fibre and selenium, which has links to lowering the risk of developing cancer.
	Get some Lycopene in your life! Lycopene is an antioxidant, found in colored vegetables like tomatoes- it is lycopene that gives tomatoes its red colouring. There has been interesting research conducted that shows the effect lycopene has on improving the health of the prostate. The prostate produces a protein called Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), the levels of which can be tested by checking the blood; in men with prostate problems including cancer, the levels of PSA in the blood are often elevated. However, trials have seemed to show that lycopene can lower the levels of PSA, suggesting that it improves the health of the prostate. Whilst lycopene is found naturally in many vegetables, it can also be taken in supplement form, for higher dosages and convenience. (http://www.prostacet.com/)
	Include more Vitamin D in your Diet! Research shows that vitamin D can decrease the chance of developing prostate cancer.
	Drink Less Alcohol! Alcohol is known to raise the risk of many kinds of cancer, as well as causing heart disease and liver damage. If you are careful with what you drink, you can protect your over-all health, as well as your prostate.
	Get Checked Regularly! Since early-stage prostate cancer in symptomless, it is very wise to get checked to make sure that any disease does not go undetected for too long. From the age of 50, yearly check-ups with your GP are advisable, who will be able to detect any irregularities, and keep a check on your prostate health in general. Of course, if prostate cancer runs in your family, it is recommended to start having checks at an earlier age- be sure to talk to your doctor for advice on testing.

What the Newspapers Say:

BBC News: (Click article for full size)

Los Angeles Times: (Click article for full size)

Times of India: (Click article for full size)

What the Medical Studies Show:

1. This study that shows the benefit of lycopene on prostate health: (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15949687)

2. The history and evidence to show the benefit of lycopene at being an effective anti-carcinogen: (http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/
   DietandNutrition/lycopene)

3. This study shows how your diet affects your risk of cancer, and how diets high in lycopene can lower that risk: (http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Preventing_prostate_cancer_and_diet.htm)

What People on the Web Say:

Lycopene Was the Best Thing for My Cancer

After two years of research I found the best thing for cancer was lycopene. Within six months, my PSA went down and within two years, the hard lump on my prostate got soft. After six years, the doctors could not find any lump on my prostate.

? Jerry Haugen ?

My PSA Levels Went Down With Lycopene

My PSA count was 18 at the diagnosed stage. Now after three months of using lycopene, the count is down to 1.3

? Freddie Marie ?

Prostacet Solved My Prostate Problems

Thanks to the Prostacet, my prostate gland feels so much better and I?ve reduced my urination and prostate problems.

? Ben ?

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Source: http://www.gnet.org/looking-after-your-prostate-start-now-and-feel-the-benefits-later/

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