Prostate health is extremely important and should be taken seriously, particularly in midlife and beyond. What many men may not be aware of is that the lymphatics play a key role in the health of their prostate. As a doctor of naturopathic medicine I focus on addressing the root cause of illness and diseases, so I’ve put together a few tips on how to reduce prostate inflammation naturally, and improve the health of your prostate by motivating the lymphatic system.
What is a Prostate and PSA?
The prostate is a small gland that secretes fluid which nourishes and protects the sperm. (1) It is important to receive a periodic examination to help prevent certain diseases such as cancer or prostatitis from cropping up. PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein that the prostate cells create.(2) Although most PSA is found in the semen, a small percentage may also be found in the blood. Having PSA levels checked helps determine where you are on the spectrum. The higher the levels, the higher the risk of developing a disease such as cancer. How high or low PSA levels are, helps determine whether further testing is necessary. So it’s crucial to get your prostate and PSA levels checked every 2-3 years. Here are some tips that you can use in your daily life to help keep PSA levels optimal.
3 Easy Ways to Lower PSA Levels Naturally
1. Move Your Lower Abdominal Lymphatics For Prostate Health
The prostate gland is part of the lymphatic system which is a combination of vessels, organs, and tissue that work together to move a fluid throughout your body and into your bloodstream. (3) By stimulating your lymphatic flow, you may be able to greatly improve the health of your prostate. If there is congestion in the lymphatics, it may result in an enlarged prostate which correlates to higher PSA levels. Here are some tips on how you can stimulate your lymphatic flow.
- Loosen your belt. Make sure there are no marks around your midsection from your pants or belt. If you are experiencing these marks, you are cutting off the circulation to your lymphatics.
- Exercise
- Add Ginger to your Diet-Tea, in smoothies, capsules
- Homeopathic Lymph Stim-Promotes Lymphatic movements
- Dry Skin Brushing– Click for my guide on how to properly apply this technique
Try these easy and natural steps to start activating your lymphatic system.
2. Increase Exercise to Lower PSA Levels
Another great way to potentially lower PSA levels is to incorporate daily exercise into your life. In particular, any exercises that encourage leg movement are a great choice for this purpose. A stationary or regular bicycle is a wonderful way to move your legs, prompting movement of the lymphatics. If you don’t have access to a bike, you could simply walk at a fast pace. If you are using a treadmill, try to maintain the speed anywhere between 5.5-6.0, if walking outdoors, just try to maintain your walk at a brisk pace where you can still hold a conversation but you are breathing deeply. Swimming is a great alternative if you have issues with knees, hips or any other joint pain. Swimming is easier on the joints, while maintaining all the heart health and lymphatic stimulation benefits of other aerobic exercise.
3. Herbs to Reduce Congestion and Inflammation of the Lymphatics for a Healthy Prostate
Herbs are a great way to naturally reduce inflammation and detox the prostate. A common herb that can help reduce inflammation is ginger root, which offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (4) This natural herb can be consumed in a variety of foods and drinks, but ginger tea is one of the most warming and comforting. Simply wash your ginger root, thinly slice it, and toss into a pot of boiling water. Let it simmer for ten minutes, strain, and enjoy! Another beneficial herb is saw palmetto, which helps reduce inflammation, thereby promoting prostate health.
Stress & A Healthy Prostate
Stress management is crucial for enhancing the functionality and health of the prostate, as stress may cause inflammation throughout the body. A major culprit of an unhealthy prostate is stress and hormones. A lot of men do not realize that they go through a mid-life process similar to menopause in women, called andropause. If you are dealing with chronic stress, it can cause a hormone imbalance.
Cortisol, the main stress hormone, causes lymphatic congestion and decreases men’s levels of DHEA (a compound used to build testosterone). Lowered testosterone directly impacts prostate health. It can cause low libido which, in turn, connects to the lack of cleansing that happens in the prostate. To promote prostate health, sexual activity is recommended. This doesn’t mean that men who are celibate or otherwise sexually inactive have a higher risk troublesome PSA levels or prostate cancer. But it does play a role, so it’s important to utilize a wide variety of tactics like the others mentioned here.
These tips are some great ways to care for your prostate gland every day, and possibly avoid more serious conditions down the road. If you’re interested in going further with improving your prostate health, click here to purchase my Prostate Fix protocol.
Want to learn more? Sign up for my monthly newsletter here.
