Keep it Healthy with Beta-Sitosterol
Beta-Sitosterol is a natural compound that may be found in certain fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. It has a history of being beneficial for a number of health issues.
Some of these benefits may include anti-inflammatory properties, strengthening the immune system, lowering high cholesterol, helping a weak immune system, and especially for urinary issues due to symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and possibly even preventing hair loss.
As men age past 50, they have a greater risk of developing an enlarged prostate. Cells in the prostate glands can overgrow, causing swelling that may obstruct the urethra, which results in difficult urination. The result is a weak urinary stream, hesitancy, and other uncomfortable urinary symptoms such as increased frequency and urgency during the night.
Although men 31 to 40 have about an 8% chance of developing benign prostate hyperplasia, the risk soars to 40-50% in men 51 to 60 and to over 80% in men older than 80.
During the past several decades, Europeans have been benefitting from plant-based supplements to treat BPH and relieve urinary tract symptoms. Some of these plant-based supplements are beta-sitosterol, saw palmetto, pygeum, and nettle root extracts. Beta-sitosterol, saw palmetto, pygeum africanum and stinging nettle make for a potent combination in your quest for a healthy prostate.
American consumers can benefit from these supplements as well.
Beta-sitosterol may help relieve an enlarged prostate by inhibiting a certain enzyme, preventing testosterone from being converted into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), thereby decreasing the amount of DHT in the body. Because DHT is a factor in the enlargement of the prostate, the lower levels of DHT can lessen BPH. Moreover, beta-sitosterol inhibits another enzyme, aromatase, which helps with the production of estradiol. Estradiol levels invariably increase with age. This is considered to be another important factor in the development of BPH.
Many botanical herbs contain useful substances that positively affect your prostate’s health - bioflavonoids, phytonutrients, essential oils, minerals and, perhaps most importantly, beta-sitosterol. It has many qualities that make it very useful for improving the health of your prostate gland.
You can find beta-sitosterol in oils such as:
- Vegetable
- Canola
- Corn
- Soybean
- Olive
Or in many nuts, such as:
- Pistachios
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts(filberts)
- walnuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Pecans
- Peanuts
Avocados, lentils and some blends of margarine can also be a good source of beta-sitosterol. Beta-sitosterol can be one more tool to help you in your quest for better health.
Early symptoms of BPH may take many years to become bigger problems. In most cases, these symptoms may point to an enlarged prostate, but they may also be a sign that other, more serious conditions that require prompt attention. If you are experiencing these early symptoms, it is a good time to see your doctor.
Symptoms of an enlarged prostate may include:
- trouble starting to urinate, or urinating freely
- having to urinate frequently, particularly at night
- feeling that the bladder is not empty after urinating
- feeling a sudden urge to urinate
- having to stop and start repeatedly while urinating
- having to strain to urinate
Although modern medicine has many solutions for men with BPH, most are full of potential side effects. Prescriptions drugs for prostate issues can also lead to loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and a decrease in semen volume. In rare instances, it can even cause a man’s breasts to enlarge.
Prostate problems are a common part of growing older for many men. You can, however, take a very comprehensive formula that includes Saw Palmetto, Zinc, Lycopene, Beta-Sitosterol, Pygeum Africanum and Stinging Nettle, a total of over 30+ ingredients; a very comprehensive formula; Prostate Health Essentials (click here to view). Prostate Health Essentials contains 30+ natural ingredients shown to support prostate health.