Protecting your prostate 13-02-2006 Your level of energy and vitality is strongly associated with your sexual health. As you get older your sexual drive may diminish as may your level of vigour and overall well-being. More so than any other sexual organ, the prostate gland seems to be the overall controller of sexual health. The prostate is a small muscular gland which encircles the neck of the bladder just behind the scrotum. Its function is to provide lubrication, nutrition and protection for the sperm on their journey down the urinary tract. When the production of prostatic fluid diminishes so does desire and capability. The G-spot finds its home on the prostate and the practice of contracting the pubococcygeus is used to prevent the escape of semen thereby generating energy and increasing lifespan. Fifty per cent of men over the age of sixty face the consequence of prostatic enlargement necessitating frequent night time visits to the toilet, and remember that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australia. As you get older the male hormone testosterone is converted to a metabolic byproduct called dihydrotestosterone. This reaction is facilitated by an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. Dihydrotestosterone is proposed as one of the causes of prostate enlargement. Now for the good news. There are natural and healthy ways to control the activity of 5 alpha reductase. - A diet high in saturated fat such as meat, milk and butter, excessive alcohol consumption and stress increase 5 alpha reductase. - Soy products, pumpkin seeds and the lignans found in flaxseed oil reduce the activity of 5 alpha reductase. - Zinc found in oysters, sunflower seeds and whole grains significantly inhibits 5 alpha reductase. - Gamma-linolenic acid that is derived from evening primrose oil appears to be a powerful 5 alpha reductase inhibitor. - The herb saw palmetto contains a substance called B-sitosterol which reduces the activity of 5 alpha reductase. The beauty of using this approach is that it is without side effects. Male Vitality | New theories | Preventing heart disease | The healthy diet | Wonder nutrients for the cardiovascular system | Opening your heart | Protecting your prostate | Losing your hair? | Antioxidants | Male Vitality Summary