Let us first discuss in short about the prostate. The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system. It is about the size of a walnut — it weighs only about an ounce. It is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder — (the organ that stores urine). It surrounds the urethra the tube that carries urine from the bladder. It is partly muscular and partly glandular. It secretes a slightly alkaline fluid that forms a part of the seminal fluid, a fluid that carries sperms.
One in four men over 55 years of age will experience a form of prostate disease which includes Acute Prostatitis, chronic Prostatitis, Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy) and prostate cancer.
One can protect the prostate by adopting some health tips that are mentioned in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda says every person goes through three stages of life. In Ayurveda it is called as ‘kalas’, ie 1) childhood — Kaphastage, 2) Adulthood — Pittastage, and 3) Old age ie mature adulthood — Vatastage.
According to Ayurveda, prostate enlargement is a traditional health problem that can occur when a man is going from the pitta stage of life (ie adulthood), to the vata stage of life (old age), which takes place from 50 to 60 years of one’s life.
During old age, vatadosha is dominating, that is why it is called as vatastage. And because of this reason the dry and fluctuating qualities of vatadosha cause testosterone production to fluctuate and this in turn can cause enlargement of the prostate and other prostate problems. According to a recent research study after the age of 40, testosterone levels naturally decrease and the prostate glands become enlarged. This can obstruct the flow of urine and promote infections.
Because prostate enlargement is caused by an imbalance in the vatadosha, it is important to avoid vata aggravating foods. These include dry, cold, bitter, astringent and pungent foods. On the other hand try to take a vata pacifying diet, which includes sweet, sour and salty foods. Proteins are important for prostate health.
Above all zinc acts as prevention and as a treatment. In Ayurveda we recommend Jasadbhasm (processed zinc) because the prostate needs zinc. It stimulates testosterone to stop its enlargement. But the herbs that go way beyond zinc include Kanchanar, Guduchi, Punarnara, Swet Chandan, Haldi, Bala, etc. These herbs not only act on the prostate, they even improve the quality and quantity of Shukra Dhatu (semen), which regulates reproductive fluid, testosterone and sexual desires. It also helps to balance and purify the urinary tract, while boosting resistance of infections. The reason is most of these herbs grow in the remote rain forests and mountain sides of India — far from the chemical pollution.
Follow the following health tips to protect your prostate:
1) Drink lots of warm water to purify the system.
2) If you sit for long hours, take breaks and go for regular walks, because too much continuous sitting can also cause imbalances in the prostate.
3) Regular elimination is important — a fiber rich diet will help.
4) Season your meals with black pepper, cumin and coriander. Cumin improves absorption and assimilation, enhances digestion and eliminates impurities. Coriander is known for removing toxins from the body through the urine. Thus it helps to prevent prostate infection.
5) Use turmeric — it is well-known as anti-inflammatory, and it helps to relieve pain and modulate the immune system. On the other hand, it has a cholesterol-lowering effect.
6) Eat radishes and asparagus to purify the blood and urine.
7) Prostate enlargement is vata disorders. That is why starting the day with an Ayurvedic oil massage (abhyanga) is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to balance vatadosha.
8) And last but not the least is ketchup ie consumption of tomato sauce, salsa, pizza, tomato juice and ketchup which reduces the risk of prostate cancer according to a recent study.
So decorate your dinning table with tomato sauce and ketchups and when you visit a restaurant or hotel say ‘ketchup-please!!’
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