I’m sure we all know someone who’s been affected by prostate disease — whether it’s prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or the most feared, prostate cancer. It’s one of those conditions that seems to sneak up on men, especially after 50. The tricky part is that many of these conditions look and feel the same, which can make them hard to tell apart.

Common signs and symptoms can include:

• Slowed or delayed start when urinating
• Weak urine stream, straining to urinate, or dribbling afterwards
• Sudden and strong urges to urinate
• Feeling like you can’t completely empty your bladder
• Waking up two or more times a night to urinate
• Pain when urinating or blood in the urine (which can also be a sign of infection)
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Inability to urinate at all, or incontinence 

The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system that sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. In a healthy prostate, urine flows freely. But when the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze the urethra, slowing or blocking the flow. If the prostate shrinks again, urine flow usually returns to normal.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s always best to see a healthcare professional.

The good news is, certain nutrients and herbs may help maintain prostate health and relieve symptoms of enlargement. One popular formula among our customers contains Saw palmetto - a well-known herb for prostate support PLUS lycopene.

Lycopene is the natural pigment that gives tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit their rich red colour. But it’s more than just looking pretty on your plate. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant, helping fight free radicals that can damage cells and DNA. 

There’s a catch, though: lycopene isn’t easily absorbed because of its molecular structure. That’s why some supplements use Lactolycopene - a form combined with whey protein to help the body absorb it more effectively. In fact, just one capsule can provide the equivalent lycopene found in around 30 tomatoes!

Scientists have been exploring lycopene’s role in reducing prostate disease risk and slowing its progression. Some promising findings include:

• Men who eat more lycopene-rich foods — especially cooked tomato products like pasta sauce and tomato paste — may have a lower risk of developing lethal prostate cancer (1).
• Higher lycopene levels in the blood have been linked to a reduced chance of advanced prostate cancer (2).
• In lab studies, lycopene has been shown to reduce inflammation, protect DNA, and even slow the growth of prostate cancer cells by disrupting cancer cell signalling (3). 

While lycopene isn’t a magic cure, the evidence suggests it may help reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer and support overall prostate function (4).

If you’re considering supplements, a formula combining Saw palmetto with lycopene may give you extra prostate support. 

For more advice on prostate health or other wellness topics, visit us at Go Vita, Your Health Shop – 5 North St, Batemans Bay – or call 4472 9737. And don’t forget to tune in to Marianne and Go Vita’s Nutritionist Sofia on 2EC after 12.30pm every Wednesday.

References:

1.      Giovannucci E, et al. (2002). A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene, and prostate cancer risk. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(5), 391–398.

2.      Chen L, et al. (2015). Lycopene and risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 94(33), e1260.

3.      Mein JR, et al. (2008). Effects of lycopene on cell cycle and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Nutrition and Cancer, 60(3), 326–336.

4.      Rowles JL, et al. (2017). Lycopene and prostate cancer: A systematic review of epidemiological and intervention studies. International Journal of Cancer, 141(7), 1209–1221.