Wow, what a healthy… prostate you have!

The prostate is a gland unique to men. It is roughly the shape and size of a walnut & grows bigger as you get older. Situated below the bladder in front of your back passage, the prostate is the gland that is responsible for helping to make semen to mix with sperm from the testicles. The prostate contains muscle tissue that helps to force a man to ejaculate out of his penis during (or hopefully at the end) of sexual intercourse. The male sex hormone testosterone, which is produced in the testicles is responsible for the performance of the prostate, along with our sex drive, the ability to produce an erection and general muscle development.

Staggeringly, in the UK one man dies from prostate cancer every 45 minutes, equating to 11,500 men every year, according to Prostate Cancer UK. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Of course, prostate cancer doesn’t discriminate & most factors that increase your risk of developing prostate cancer you can’t change, such as age, family history and ethnicity. But we take a look at some of the things you can do that may help to maintain a healthy prostate.

Way back in 1932, Popeye began eating spinach to gain his super strength. Not once during the comic strip of the later cartoon did you ever see evidence of any prostate troubles. This might be a coincidence but the fact is that green leafy vegetables are packed with antioxidants and vitamins such as polyphenols that may promote cancer protective properties. Keep a lookout for healthy recipes that contain foods such as broccoli, spinach & kale where you can enjoy a tasty dish, complemented with the benefits of high levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, magnesium and much more.

Staying fit and active is one of the best ways you can promote good prostate health. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of obesity & improve all round cardiovascular health. Certain urology studies believe that men with a larger amount of fat around the abdominal region have an increased chance of prostate gland enlargement (also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy). Many men fear that this increases their risk of developing prostate cancer. This is not the case but it can cause difficulty when trying to urinate & prevent men from fully emptying their bladder. Staying fit and well can reduce this risk & also promotes healthy living.

Now before you go running off to your partner to shout about this one, we must first start by saying nothing is proven…yet! However, a few studies have shown that men who regularly ejaculate (at least 21 times a month) may have a slightly lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who did it less (up to 7 times a month). Although doctors believe that there is a connection, there is currently no proof that this is the case, as there are other variables to consider such as additional healthy habits and routines. Whether it is a benefit or not, i’m sure most men are willing to give it a go.

Now we’re not saying you need to strip off during the hottest part of the day without sun cream on, but a number of studies have suggested that Vitamin D can be protective for your prostate – it helps to regulate the growth of cells in our body. The sun is a great source of vitamin D and a sufficient amount also helps the body facilitate a normal immune system. But make sure you are looking after your body and always protect your skin when in the sun using a suitable sunscreen.

To learn more about the prostate gland we recommend speaking to your local GP or health professional or by visiting the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/