Unaddressed problems can even prove fatal. However, taking care of yourself and your prostate can help reduce your risk of having problems as you age.

Your prostate, which is a gland, is located between the bladder and the penis. It is an important part of every mans health, and carries urine from the bladder and adds fluid to sperm before ejaculation.

The only form of cancer more common than prostate cancer is lung cancer. There are approximately 35,000 deaths each year from it alone in the United States.
The disease tends to be slow moving, and many men will not realize that they have it. Symptoms include nodules felt on the prostate during an exam, bone pain, and painful urination. A diagnosis can be made by blood test and a digital rectal exam, both which should be done annually.

Enlarged prostate is another problem that affects over half of the men over the age of 50.
While it is often painless, it can cause annoyances like increased nighttime urination, decrease of flow, difficulty urinating, burning when urinating, or blood in the urine.
You should see your doctor if you have painful urination with lower back pain, fever or pelvic pain; you feel the urge to go but cannot get started; your urine stream is weak; you urinate 2-3 times a night; or your bladder still feels full after urinating.

There are several things that you can do naturally to treat prostate cancer and enlarged prostate. Remember that only a doctor can tell the difference, and no major changes should be made in your routine without consulting your primary care physician.

Several herbs are thought to be helpful, including saw palmetto, pygeum, and stinging nettle. These can often be taken on their own or in conjunction with other therapies.

Some foods may also be helpful. Lycopene has been shown to be able to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by as much as 40 percent. You can find it in watermelon and tomatoes, though you need to eat at least ten servings of tomatoes each week to get the effect. Pumpkin seeds also help to take care of the prostate.

For minerals, zinc has been shown to shrink the prostate and is important for its function. High doses in vitamin C and vitamin E in its Gamma form are also thought to be helpful. Some studies also suggest that the amino acids glycine, alanine and glutamic acid may also be of some use.

Exercise is thought to be helpful, though bike riding may contribute to an enlarged prostate. If biking, get an oversized cushioned seat to use.

A sitz bath (hydrotherapy) can help with inflammation of the prostate. You should fill the tub with hot water to a point where it will cover your belly button, and then sit down and soak for at least 20 minutes. Afterwards, take a cold bath or shower. You should repeat for a month or until the symptoms are gone.

To help your prostate, you should also avoid alcohol, sugar, starchy foods, caffeine, tobacco, and hydrogenated fats.

Ginseng

Ginseng has long been touted as a wonderful herb for overall health but it also has many effects that can help reduce the stresses of aging. One of these is that it helps to keep you on an even keel, thus reducing the damaging effects of stress on the mind and body. It can also help to fight colds and reduce fatigue as well as sharpen the mind.

Ashwagandha

Used in traditional Indian medicine, this herb has natural antioxidants and is effective in treating infectious diseases. In addition to strengthening your immune system, it also can relieve anxiety and depression. It is also thought to help your brain by stimulating the growth of dendrites and axons.

Gingko Biloba

This herb used in traditional Chinese medicine is very popular today and is known to increase oxygen levels in the brain thus increasing memory and cognitive function. Studies have shown that it may be able to improve the memory of Alzheimers patients.

St. John’s Wort

St. Johns Wort has been used to treat depression for quite some time now but it can also help the body to repair itself and is a great herb to take if you have insomnia. When taken orally, it can actually help revitalize you on the outside as it helps to repair damage done by daily stress and oxidation to the skin.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is another herb that can be great for restoring youthfulness of the skin. It has been used for ages to help heal scars and burns and has natural restorative properties that can help rejuvenate the skin.

Milk Thistle

This herb has been used to treat the liver for thousands of years. The active compound, Silymarin can change the lover membrane so that toxic chemicals are repelled and can also help the liver regenerate its own cells. The live is what filters toxins out of the body, so the healthier it is the less effects of aging can drag us down.

There are a host of other herbs that can help with your overall body function as well as protect you from the ravages of aging. However, some of them can have adverse affects on any medications you might be taking so it is advised that you check with your doctor before adding any herbs to your daily regimen.