It is extremely important for male health. It is involved in the production of seminal fluid that nourishes and protects your sperm. Like your heart, kidneys and liver, the prostate has its own needs … She likes tomatoes, healthy exercise and regular checkups of her best friend – a urologist.
Small but important
Are you wondering what exactly a prostate is and what’s the noise? It is an odd muscle-glandular organ that is part of the male reproductive system. It is also called a prostate or prostate gland.
The prostate is located under the bladder. In a healthy adult male, it weighs only 11 g, and its shape resembles a walnut or chestnut. On its posterior side lies the rectum, and the urethra passes through its center. The location in the immediate vicinity of the urinary tract means that all lesions of the prostate gland may be associated with problems in urination.
Although the prostate gland is a relatively small gland, it is very important to male health. Its main function is to produce the semen fluid (sperm) that provides the sperm with the necessary nutrients and helps it reach a woman’s egg.
The risk increases with age
Like your entire body, the prostate gland changes over time. In men over 45 years of age it can grow to the size of a mandarin. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which in some men leads to bothersome symptoms, collectively referred to as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). They mainly include:
- increased frequency of urination, the so-called pollakiuria,
- the need to urinate at night
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder,
- burning or stinging during micturition,
- weak urine stream
- urinary incontinence
- sexual dysfunction.
These symptoms may also indicate another risk – prostate cancer, which is today the most commonly diagnosed male cancer and the third cause of cancer mortality in the male population. Although the risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age – it is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 65, in recent years an increase has been observed among younger people who are fully socially and professionally active.
Apart from age, the main risk factor for prostate cancer is the genetic burden in the family – the risk of developing prostate cancer increases 2 times if it occurred among the closest relatives of the first degree (brother, father). In cases of inherited disease, prostate cancer may develop 6-7 years earlier than average and be more aggressive. Experts also point out that our lifestyle can also affect the disease: a Western-type diet, i.e. rich in red meat, high-fat dairy products, processed grain products and simple sugars, as well as smoking, alcohol abuse, low physical activity , overweight and obesity.
Considering that prostate cancer usually develops relatively slowly, and its symptoms are non-specific and may initially resemble benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), it is extremely important that every man over 40 years of age undergo preventive examinations once a year. and reported for follow-up visits to the urologist. The PSA test, i.e. the test of the concentration of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in the blood, used for the initial screening assessment of the prostate gland, can now be performed free of charge under the “Prevention 40 PLUS” program introduced by the Ministry of Health.
Unfortunately, as indicated by the results of the National Health Test of Poles 2021 (NTZP2021), the last two years of the pandemic have translated into a significant decrease in the number of preventive examinations. The PSA survey in less than the last 12 months did only 36 percent. men aged 55-64 and 50 percent in the age group 65+. This is dramatically little – remember that cancer will not wait for the pandemic to end, and delayed diagnosis and treatment is associated with a sharp worsening of the patient’s prognosis.
He has modest needs …
However, preventive examinations and regular visits to a urologist are not all you can do for the health of your prostate. If you want to take care of your health comprehensively, think about a healthy diet, regular physical activity and reducing stimulants today.
Previous studies show that the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest diets in the world, serves not only our heart, but also the prostate. Therefore, your plate should include vegetables as often as possible, especially lycopene-rich tomatoes, whole grains, legumes and healthy fats – especially olive oil, nuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
Sea fish, seafood or white meat (chicken, turkey), which contains less fat and cholesterol, can be healthy alternatives to red meat and processed meats. You should also avoid high-fat dairy products, which some research shows may increase the risk of prostate cancer, sugar and highly processed foods leading to overweight and obesity. It is also worth limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, which is a negative factor associated with the development of prostate cancer and significantly worsens the results of treatment.
In addition to the diet for prostate health, physical activity is also important, as it allows us to maintain a healthy weight and strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, which partially control the flow and incontinence of urine. Additionally, regular exercise increases testosterone levels, which is important for men in their forties. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should exercise regularly. WHO recommends performing at least 150-300 minutes of at least moderate intensity endurance (aerobic) exercise or ≥ 75-150 minutes of high intensity exercise per week.