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There are a number of prostate herbs and vitamins that may be a real help in promoting the health and functioning of the prostate and urinary tract in men. However, we would be remiss if we didn't mention that there are also minerals and other natural substances that may be very helpful in alleviating or warding off prostate problems. As such, they too need to be discussed.

However, before we delve into prostate herbs and vitamins, let's briefly note three conditions that can cause prostate problems.

1. Prostatitis, which is the inflammation of the prostate gland, is said to be common in men of all ages. Actually, prostatitis is a term that encompasses four forms: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, and prostadynia. Prostatitis is often caused by the following:

   * Infectious agents such as viruses, fungi, or mycoplasma.

   * A urinary tract infection and usually from the E. coli bacteria.

   * A partial blockage of the male urinary tract leading to the promulgation of bacteria.

   Symptoms include frequent, difficult urination, pain or burning when urinating, pain in lower back, and pain in the genital area and the pelvis. Indeed, many men have looked for help to combat these unpleasant symptoms via prostate herbs and vitamins and other natural nutrients.

2. BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is an enlargement of the prostate gland with no signs of cancer. BPH affects most men over age 50, commonly causing urinary problems such as incomplete emptying of the bladder, dribbling, difficulty starting urination, reduced force of the stream, and frequent urination of small amounts.
3. Prostate cancer. Scientists don't know exactly what causes prostate cancer. However, there are several risk factors that have been linked or theorized to the development, including men aged sixty five and older, African American men, high fat diets and obesity, high levels of testosterone, family history, recurring prostate infections, and exposure to cancer causing chemicals.

Now, without further adieu, let's begin by discussing prostate herbs and vitamins, and then we will discuss the power of minerals and other natural substances and how they too can be helpful to men.

Prostate help from the herbal kingdom include:

Get acquainted with this Native American remedy. Saw Palmetto is a dwarf palm tree that grows in coastal areas of the American southeast that is well renowned by many experts as an excellent herb for prostate health and can relieve many of the symptoms associated with BPH. However, it's important to note that saw palmetto does not actually shrink this gland. On the other hand, it does appear to prevent it from getting any larger. Nevertheless, this herb is highly valued and, as such, should definitely be on your list of helpful prostate herbs and vitamins considerations and information. In fact, in combination with other herbs saw palmetto is used to treat prostate cancer.

Befriend corn silk. What is corn silk? Corn silk is a collection of the stigmas the soft, silky yellowish strands running the length of an ear of corn found inside the husk. Believe it or not corn silk may be beneficial for prostate problems. The extracts of corn silks have been found to harbor soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the extracts of corn silk are also potent diuretics, giving rise to their use to heal problems of the urinary system such as prostatitis and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra).

Look for help from Africa. Pygeum africanum is an evergreen tree that is a Native to Africa. In traditional African medicine, a tea made from the powdered pygeum bark was used to treat urinary problems. Today, pygeum is most commonly known for its ability to relieve the symptoms of BPH and is commonly sold in combination with other herbs such as saw palmetto and nettle. In addition, it is used for prostatitis.

Combat nature's call with nettle root. Modern research has shown nettle root, an age-old European remedy for urinary problems, appear to spell relief from BPH symptoms. However, it works best in combination with the well renowned Saw Palmetto.

Now, let's move forward on our topic of this article, prostate herbs and vitamins and discuss vitamins.

Talk to a nutrition-oriented physician about Vitamin E. Current research shows that vitamin E appears to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Some experts recommend using the gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E.

Check out vitamin D. Vitamin D may also be a prostate cancer fighter. Vitamin D is known to inhibit prostate cancer in animals. As such, vitamin D appears to be important in preventing prostate cancer even though human research remains unclear. In addition, vitamin D is being studied as an agent for the treatment of prostate cancer. Therefore, make sure you're getting your recommended daily allowance of vitamin D in your diet.

*For men ages 19 to 50: 200 IU a day.

*For men ages 51 to 70: 400 IU a day.

*For men ages 71 and older: 600 IU a day.

Say hello to vitamin C. Vitamin C has been used to aid healing and to promote prostate health.

As we mentioned earlier, there are minerals and other natural substances that may be of help besides prostate herbs and vitamins.

Is your prostate getting enough zinc? According to the well renowned tome "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" written by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC who states:

"Deficiency has been linked to BPH, prostatitis, and even prostate cancer." (Page 597 Third Edition).

Zinc is used to promote prostate health and some experts do recommend zinc for BPH. In addition, zinc may even shrink an enlarged prostate.

Get aid from selenium. Selenium harbors antioxidant properties that are thought to work with vitamin E to provide extra protection from toxin damage linked to prostatitis. In addition, selenium is thought to slow prostate growth as well as help prevent prostate cancer.

Going beyond prostate minerals and prostate herbs and vitamins

Zap BPH with beta-sitosterol. Beta Sitosterol is used to help alleviate the symptoms of BPH. In addition, it may be the superstar among prostate health supplements. Why? Because Beta-sitosterol is significantly more potent than the well-renowned Saw Palmetto and the prized Pygeum herb in helping prevent BPH.

Quercetin to the rescue. This flavonoid harbors anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In recent years, quercetin has been reported to significantly improve the symptoms associated with two forms of prostatitis, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and prostadynia. In addition, quercetin may be beneficial in BPH, bacterial prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

Treat your prostate problems with flower pollen. Flower pollen extract is derived from primarily rye and may be helpful for improving the symptoms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and prostadynia. In addition, in preliminary trails rye pollen improved the symptoms of BPH.

Become best friend with the pigment lycopene. Lycopene is a member of the carotenoid family and is the pigment the gives some fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes their brilliant red color. Specifically, lycopene is a potent antioxidant that may be able to prevent prostate cancer. In addition, it is used to treat prostate cancer.

Precautions about prostate herbs and vitamins, including minerals and other nutrients

It's extremely important that you speak with a physician before taking any dietary or herbal supplements.

Cindy Amorin is the chief editor of Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre, an information-rich site that discusses nutritional, dietary, and herbal supplements and their potential therapeutic value.

For those of you interested in learning how to buy quality prostate supplements, meet us on the web at our prostate herbs web page.

For those of you interested in learning about men's urinary tract infections, meet us on the web at our urinary tract infections in men web page.