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Metabolic syndrome’s link to enlarged prostate
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, is a telltale sign of aging in men. One out of every two men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH, and the numbers only rise as they get older. About 70 percent of men ages 60 to 69 and around 80 percent of men ages 70 and older experience BPH.
As common as BPH is, experts are still somewhat baffled as to precisely what causes the prostate to enlarge. There’s speculation, however, of a connection with a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT stimulates the proliferation of certain cells in the prostate, enlarging the gland. However, dihydrotestosterone levels are the same in men with and without BPH, so it’s still anyone’s guess why some men develop enlarged prostates and others don’t.
As investigators continue to explore possible causes of BPH, they may have hit upon a link between BPH and a pair of conditions becoming more prevalent in aging men….
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Inflammation + metabolic syndrome = enlarged prostate
A team of Polish researchers decided to examine how inflammation and metabolic health contribute to BPH. They analyzed blood samples from 219 men, including 144 with BPH and 75 without, and measured markers related to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Their results showed that men with BPH had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory molecules such as 12S-HETE and 5-HETE and lower levels of anti-inflammatory substances like lipoxin A4.
This imbalance was even more pronounced in men with both BPH and metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions including obesity, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.
In short, these findings suggest that inflammatory-related molecules in the blood may play a key role in BPH development, especially in men with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation may also exacerbate the severity of BPH and contribute to its development.
“Our research results suggest that pro-inflammatory mediators and suppressors of inflammation are involved in the development of BPH, but their exact contribution has yet to be investigated,” the authors write in the study paper.
“Furthermore, there is mounting evidence that links the onset of inflammation with the development of prostate diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer,” they add.
The study indicates that monitoring metabolic health could play a role in reducing the risk of prostate enlargement. However, further research is needed and may focus on whether anti-inflammatory treatments or lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight management and exercise could help slow the progression of BPH or reduce its symptoms.
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Natural solutions to BPH relief
Some men with BPH don’t have any symptoms. But for many, it can cause problems such as increased urinary frequency and urgency and an inability to completely empty the bladder.
In these cases, doctors often prescribe medications such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to help shrink the prostate. Unfortunately, those medications can cause their own problems, such as an elevated risk of diabetes.
If you’re experiencing BPH and are at risk for diabetes, you may want to seek natural alternatives to these drugs for relieving your urinary symptoms. One place to start is with your diet. Research shows that a diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, similar to the Mediterranean diet can improve prostate health and BPH.
Saw palmetto is a natural supplement that has proven effective in promoting prostate health, relieving the excessive need to urinate (particularly at night) and enhancing urinary flow.
Green and black tea have also been linked with improved urinary flow and reduced inflammation in men with lower urinary tract symptoms, such as those found in BPH. Just make sure you don’t drink it too close to bedtime as the caffeine could interfere with sleep.
Lastly, ensure you’re getting plenty of exercise, as that has been shown to lower your risk of BPH and prostate problems.
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Sources:
Inflammation and metabolic syndrome linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia — EurekAlert!
Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) — Yale Medicine
By Carolyn Gretton
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