Prostate

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What Causes Benign Prostatic Hypertophy BPH?

 

By Dr. James Howenstine, MD.

 

This is invariably a disease of men over the age of 50. The symptoms produced by

an enlarging prostate gland are occasionally surprisingly few, even in very

large glands. Usually there is some decrease in the force of the urinary stream,

difficulty initiating urination, and incomplete bladder emptying. The man who is

not emptying his bladder completely will urinate and then be able to urinate a

considerable amount of urine again in 15 or 20 minutes. In the later stages,

urine dribbles out instead of flowing and finally straining to empty the bladder

fails to accomplish the passage of any urine (urinary retention which requires

catheter drainage of the bladder).

 

The current concept accepted by many physicians is that testosterone is related

to prostate gland enlargement (BPH). However, young males with soaring levels of

testosterone never develop prostate enlargement and elderly males with very low

levels of testosterone do get BPH.

 

An enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone to dihydro-testosterone, which

is far more active than testosterone in binding to sites in prostate cells that

stimulate cell growth. The herb saw palmetto and the drug Proscar both inhibit

5-alpha-reductase. A 1998 review of 18 clinical trials using saw palmetto found

that 75 % of men with BPH who took saw palmetto for two months reported an

improvement in their urinary symptoms. Saw palmetto is found in health food

stores.

 

A research study of 207 males with BPH who were given daily doses of

testosterone revealed that these patients developed shrinkage of the prostate

gland, decreased symptoms of bladder obstruction and falls in PSA and estradiol

levels. This suggests properly administered testosterone is good for the

prostate gland. British physician, Dr. Malcolm Carruthers, came to the same

conclusion after treating more than 1000 men lacking testosterone both by

testosterone implants and injections as reported in his 1996 book Maximizing

Manhood. He noted neither enlargement of the prostate or prostate cancer in

these males treated with testosterone.

 

All males in developed nations are victims of estrogen excess caused by

petrochemical exposure, estrogenic hormones given to promote growth of animals,

plastics, pesticides, and herbicides, all of which have estrogenic effects in

males and females. In males the enzyme aromatase converts testosterone to

estrogen. Males getting testosterone by injection may occasionally develop

increased estrogen levels because of this enzyme aromatase, whereas males taking

testosterone by implants and creams are less likely to develop this problem.

Enlargement of the prostate gland in elderly males is probably caused by

estrogen excess. Estrogen accumulates in the prostate gland of elderly males

beginning at age 50. This estrogen is associated with the degree of prostate

enlargement. The risk of benign prostaic hypertrophy is increased in males with

high estradiol (potent estrogen) levels and is accentuated in males with low

androgen (testosterone) levels. This suggests that measures directed toward

ameliorating the estrogen excess might be effective therapy (DIM, progesterone,

testosterone).

 

Elderly men have trouble metabolizing estrogen particularly if they are obese or

using alcohol regularly. Breast enlargement in these men is evidence of estrogen

excess.

 

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, bok

choy) contain diindolylmetnane DIM which helps reverse estrogen related

disorders. Three of more servings weekly of cruciferous vegetables can reduce

the risk of prostate cancer by nearly 50 percent. DIM has decreased nocturnal

urination in symptomatic elderly males

 

Correctly administered testosterone therapy does not cause prostate cancer.

However, a male who has an undiagnosed prostate cancer may have that cancer grow

at an accelerated rate under the influence of testosterone. For this reason

males with prostate cancer should not be given testosterone and males with

elevated PSA values need to be monitored closely with rectal exams and PSA tests

if a decision is made to try them on testosterone therapy. To find a physician

experienced in administering hormonal therapy call the American Academy of

Anti-Aging Medicine at 719-475-8775 or visit www.worldhealth.net.

 

About ten percent of men will need to have an enlarged prostate gland cored out

(TUR) or removed surgically by the time they reach 80.

 

Which Substances Can Relieve The Symptoms Of An Enlarging Prostate Gland?

 

Individuals with an enlarging prostate gland are often troubled by frequent

urination, weak urine stream, difficulty initiating urine flow, nocturnal

urination, and discomfort while voiding. All of the following therapies seem to

be helpful in relieving these symptoms:

 

Testosterone. Topical patches or injections of testosterone are capable of

reversing the enlargement of the prostate gland. Growth hormone and DHEA

dihydroepiandosterone are

 

capable of increasing the output of testosterone. Do not take more than one of

these three therapies at any given time.

 

Pygeum. This extract of pygeum africanum is effective in decreasing urinary

symptoms. The tree source for this extract is becoming scarce due to widespread

use of pygeum in Europe where it is often considered to be a medicine.

 

The herbal extract Urtica dioca (nettle) works well in conjunction with saw

palmetto to improve results. Nettle seems to work by preventing the binding of

testosterone metabolites to prostate cell membranes. It also inhibits the

binding of growth-stimulating estrogen to prostate cells.

 

Phytosterols are chemicals found in plants, oils, seeds, and legumes. A potent

phytosterol called beta-sitosterol acts to significantly reduce levels of

5-alpha reductase and aromatase in animal experiments.

 

Chrysin is a bioflavinoid extracted from the plant Passiflora correlus. This

nutrient reduces the action of aromatase in converting testosterone to estrogen.

Preserving the testosterone increases the anti-aging effects of testosterone in

males.

 

Progesterone. Topical natural progesterone is converted in males into

testosterone without any feminizing side effects.

 

Pumpkin seed oil. This oil, contains essential fatty acids, amino acids and

vitamins. Research in Stockholm reported improved urine flow, decreased retained

urine and less frequent urinating in 53 patients taking pumpkin seed oil and

substances from a dwarf palm plant.

 

Amino Acid Therapy. The combination of the essential amino-acids L-glutamic

acid, L-alanine, and glycine produced less nocturnal urinating, decreased

frequency of voiding, and less urgency to urinate in 45 males with BPH.

 

Zinc The prostate gland uses 10 times more zinc than any other organ. Zinc

decreases the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

 

The above ingredients are found in many combinations in a wide variety of

products to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy. There will never be any studies

comparing one of the available prostate products with another, as funding for

such studies is unlikely to occur. My suggestion is that you study the existing

products and try one for 2 to 3 months looking for a decrease in symptoms. If

you notice no change try a new therapy.

 

What Factors Contribute To The Development Of Prostate Cancer?

 

Lycopene

 

47,894 health care workers were carefully followed during a four- year study.

None had prostate cancer at the beginning of the study but 773 had developed

prostate cancer by the finish. Men who ate 10 servings a week of tomatoes or

tomato sauce on pizzas had 45 percent less cancer of the prostate than those

eating no tomatoes. Surprisingly, tomatoes on pizza seemed more beneficial than

raw tomato, suggesting that heating the tomato paste increases the anticancer

effect. This study confirms previous studies of Mediterranean people, which

showed that they had one of the lowest rates of prostate cancer. Afro-Americans

eat few tomatoes and they had the highest rate of prostate cancer.

 

Watermelon contains even more of the phytonutrient lycopene than do tomatoes. A

patient with an androgen-resistant (not responding to anti-testosterone

therapies) prostate cancer at Wake Forest School of Medicine was treated with

only 10 mg. daily of lycopene and 300 mg. of saw palmetto 3 times daily. In 2

months his bone metastases were improved and his PSA had fallen from 365 to 8.1

ng/ml. Saw palmetto does not lower PSA. This small amount of lycopene could be

obtained from daily consumption of 1½½ cups of watermelon or 3 tablespoons of

tomato sauce.

 

Health Hazards From the Use of Recombinant Growth Hormone in Cows to Increase

Milk Production

 

A genetically engineered growth hormone (rBGH or rBST) has been used to increase

milk production from cows in the United States since February 1995. The milk

obtained from cows getting injections of this growth hormone is not labeled.

This injected growth hormone increases the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in

milk by 80 percent. The IGF-1 is absorbed from milk and is identical to the

IGF-1 normally found in humans. Casein from milk and homogenization of milk keep

the IGF-1 from being broken down in the stomach so it is readily absorbed into

the blood. IGF-1 functions in the human body to accelerate cancer growth.

Research has shown a direct correlation between high levels of IGF-1 and rapid

growth of malignant cells in the pancreas, lining of the uterus (endometrium),

brain, thyroid, muscle, and osteosarcoma of bone.

 

There is a four-fold greater risk for developing prostate cancer in males who

have a high level of IGF-1 when compared to males with normal IGF-1 levels.

Another prospective study revealed that pre-menopausal women less than 51 years

old with the highest levels of IGF-1 in their blood had a seven-fold greater

risk of developing breast cancer. This information suggests that measuring IGF-1

levels in patients at risk for endocrine gland tumors could be valuable. Those

with high IGF-1 levels might be wise to curtail their intake of milk products.

At this time approximately 40 % of the American diet is made up of milk products

(milk, cheese, cream, butter, ice cream, yogurt).

 

Atrazine

 

Dr. Sherry Rogers has warned that " " atrazine (herbicide) has caused prostate

gland enlargement, low testosterone levels and depression by interfering with

serotonin synthesis " " . She is convinced that the massive use of herbicides has

contributed to the rising incidence of prostate cancer seen in the past 20

years. An atrazine manufacturing plant in Louisiana has an incidence of prostate

cancer in male employees 9 times that of the general public. This damaging

information about increased risk of prostate cancer for employees was withheld

for 11 years from the EPA by the manufacturer Syngenta.

 

Cruciferous Vegetables

 

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, bok

choy) contain diindolylmetnane DIM which helps reverse estrogen related

disorders. Three of more servings weekly of cruciferous vegetables can reduce

the risk of prostate cancer by nearly 50 percent. DIM has decreased nocturnal

urination in symptomatic elderly males.

 

Undiagnosed Prostate Cancer

 

Correctly administered testosterone therapy does not cause prostate cancer.

However, a male who has an undiagnosed prostate cancer may have that cancer grow

at an accelerated rate under the influence of testosterone. For this reason

males with prostate cancer should not be given testosterone and males with

elevated PSA values need to be monitored closely with rectal exams and PSA tests

if a decision is made to try them on testosterone therapy.

 

Measures To Prevent Prostate Cancer

 

All males should be careful that your supplementation program includes 200 mcg.

of selenium daily as selenium has been shown to decrease the incidence of

prostate cancer by 67 percent. Minimizing exposure to milk, herbicides,

pesticides, vehicle exhaust fumes, estrogens in meat and chickens (eat organic

food), plastics, propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate and petrochemicals is

advisable as excess estrogen clearly is a risk factor for endocrine malignancies

including cancer of the prostate gland. Obtaining lycopene from food and as a

supplement is also a sensible precaution.

 

Estrogen exposure in conjunction with dwindling amounts of testosterone seems to

be the primary cause for an enlarging prostate gland in elderly males. Efforts

to minimize contact with estrogenic substances (xenoestrogens) along with

therapy aimed at boosting the beneficial effects of testosterone (chyrisine,

natural progesterone, intramuscular or patches of testosterone, growth hormone,

DHEA, cruciferous vegetables) should permit reversal of the large prostate

gland. To find a physician experienced in administering hormonal therapy contact

the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine at 719-475-8775 or visit

www.worldhealth.net