Superfoods for a Healthy Prostate

The prostate gland has a reputation as a health destroyer.  Hypertrophy of the prostate gland, which affects nearly every elderly male, strangles the urethra.  This troublesome condition makes urination difficult and increases the risk of bladder infections and kidney damage. However, there are many superfoods that may already be a part of your everyday diet that can help thwart the onset of prostate problems. 

Tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruit, papaya and red berries are all great sources of lycopene, a health-promoting plant pigment known for its cancer-battling ability.  It also promotes a strong immune system and helps support prostate health in men.  Though fresh are always an excellent option, the lycopene in cooked tomatoes is actually absorbed more readily by the body.  It’s also your ally in the battle against heart disease. 

Quercetin, a flavonoid that forms the backbone of many other flavonoids, may have positive effects in combating or helping to prevent many different types of cancer, including prostate. It also acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be helpful in relieving the pain of an inflamed prostate.

Foods rich in quercetin include apples, black & green tea, onions, raspberries, red wine, red grapes, citrus fruits, broccoli & other leafy green vegetables, and cherries. Quercetin can also be found in honey and sap, including the type from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.

It’s important to remember to get a healthy balance of foods to keep your prostate healthy, including antioxidants, vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of clear fluids to help flush the bladder.  Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods.  Keeping your weight in check will also help maintain a healthy prostate. 

Superfoods for Erectile Dysfunction

There are many underlying physical and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction. Reduced blood flows to the penis and nerve damage are two of the most common physical causes. Underlying conditions associated with erectile dysfunction include vascular disease, diabetes, drugs, hormone disorders, neurological disorders, pelvic trauma, surgery, radiation therapy, a venous leak or psychological conditions.  

A lack of zinc can interfere with the maturation of the reproductive organs, as well as interfere with reproductive functions and processes. It can contribute to impotence. Chronic diarrhea, poor appetite, and thus significant weight loss of the unhealthy and undesirable sort, hair loss, and the slow healing of wounds are all associated with zinc deficiencies. So, too, are open sores on the skin and in the mouth, strange tastes in the mouth, and inefficient or reduced mental functioning, especially cognitive processes.  So be sure to include lots of zinc-rich foods in your diet, including red meat, fortified cereals, oysters, almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, soy foods, and dairy products.

 Zinc is vital to many internal processes and supports immune function, reproduction, and the nervous system.

It’s also imperative to include other vitamins and minerals in your diet, as they may also help improve erectile dysfunction. Be sure to eat whole, fresh, unrefined, and unprocessed foods. Include fruits (lots of richly pigmented berries to support vascular integrity), vegetables, whole grains, soy, beans, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, and mackerel. Avoid sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk foods, and caffeine. If you’ve found in the past that you’re sensitive to certain kinds of foods, eliminate them from your diet, ass it could be a contributing factor to erectile dysfunction.  Also be sure to drink plenty of water.  A good rule of thumb is to drink 50% of your body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., if you weigh 150 lbs, drink 75 oz of water daily). Try to avoid alcohol and smoking, as they can have a negative impact on erectile function.

Erectile dysfunction may be chronic or recurring, or it may occur as a single isolated incident. In the past, it was assumed that impotence was primarily a psychological problem, but many therapists and physicians today believe the majority of all cases of impotence have some physical basis.