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Last month we had dedicated ourselves to breast cancer awareness but we definitely have not forgotten about our men. Prostate health is one area that becomes an issue for most men at some point in their life. We would like to share our view about prostate health in terms of TCM.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), or non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, is the most common prostate problem. After age sixty, more than 70% of men are afflicted with BPH and about 40% for men in their fifties. BPH symptoms can vary, but the most common signs are trouble urinating, frequent need to urinate, unable to void completely, decreased force of stream, dribbling urine, and needing to urinate more than twice a night.
Prostate Cancer
It is important for men over the age of forty to get regular checkups because prostate cancer may be present even with no, or minor, symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, "prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men". However, prostate cancer is also very treatable. In fact, the 5 year survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 100% when discovered early.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Approach to Prostate Care
TCM associates hyperplasia of the prostate with damp heat and kidney qi deficiency. After the age of 40, one's vital energy in the kidney system decreases, resulting in the disturbance of sex hormones. This process also decreases one's sexual energy, which affects the function of the prostate and the circulation in this region. [Read more: Qi deficiency: What is it and how do you manage it?]
How TCM can improve prostate health
Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture can help normalize PSA levels. We usually use custom herbal formulas to replenish the kidney essence for our clients. Kidney essence nurtures the prostate. As the prostate is revitalized, it is now capable of self-regulating toward normal functioning and maintaining a balance of growth and non-growth. This is the balancing properties of Chinese medicine. [Read more: 5 Things You Need To Know About Chinese Medicine] [Read more: TCM vs Western Medicine]
Diet for prostate health
It is interesting to note that Japanese men, native to their country, have the lowest rates of prostate cancer in the world. However, when they begin to eat like the average North American, their cancer numbers rise to equal those of their Western counterparts. [Read more: The Japanese Diet And Why It Is Good For Health]
One major difference between the Asian versus Western diet is the limited consumption of dairy products, red meat and the greater consumption of rice, warm meals, and soy products like tofu, miso, and tempeh. We also recommend including walnuts and black sesame in your meals to strengthen the Kidney energy.
For more information, do not hesitate to arrange for a consultation.