Don't let your prostate get stressed, it will only make you feel awkward and unhappy.

Author: Cui Yihui, registered dietitian

Reviewer: Wang Junbo, Associate Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Peking University Health Science Center

The prostate looks like an upside-down "small chestnut" living in a crowded "organ area", with its head pressed against the bladder, its toes against the urogenital diaphragm, the rectum "living" behind it, and the seminal vesicles on the side. Although the space occupied by this "small chestnut" is not large, it is a "key road" and is closely related to the two major functions of "urinary" and "reproductive", and can be regarded as a master of "cross-border" management.

Figure 1 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

The prostate gland "allows" the urethra to pass through its center, thereby "controlling" the urethra and controlling urination. Therefore, once the prostate gland has any "prolonged or short" problems, the first thing to be affected is the male's physiological activity of going to the toilet.

The prostate is an important channel for sperm discharge, and in order to help sperm complete its mission, it also "especially considerately" secretes prostatic fluid, which, as an important component of semen, helps men's reproductive function. Once the prostate has any "prolonged or short" problems, the man's "sexual happiness" index and the ability to reproduce will also be affected. In addition to being responsible for reproductive work, the prostate also has an endocrine function. It can quickly iterate testosterone (the "primary version" of androgen) into a more powerful "upgraded version" of androgen and transport it to the blood. This is an indispensable substance for men to maintain male characteristics and vitality.

Although the prostate is small, it is a "troublesome place" for men. If it is neglected or ignored, it will cause trouble from time to time and bring distress to its owner.

1. Benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy

As men age and their endocrine system changes, the head of the prostate gland will gradually "get fatter". Studies have shown that 50% of men over 50 and 80% of men over 80 will gradually have a "fat headed chestnut". Although prostate hyperplasia is not cancer (malignant hyperplasia) and does not increase the probability of cancer, it will cause countless troubles when going to the toilet. Frequent urination, increased number of nocturia, difficulty urinating, weak urine, and the embarrassment and helplessness of rushing to find a toilet when going out but not being able to urinate completely, who knows!

Figure 2 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

2. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is humorously called "prostate cold" by some urologists. This name implies that prostate inflammation is as common as a cold and can occur at any age. It is the most common urological disease in men under 50 years old. The symptoms of prostatitis will improve after treatment, but it is also easy to recur like a cold.

Excessive smoking, drinking, eating spicy food, sitting for a long time, catching a cold, fatigue, and sexual indulgence are all triggers of prostatitis. Once the prostate is inflamed, in addition to urination problems caused by the infection and swelling squeezing the urethra, it can also cause sexual dysfunction and radiating pain such as lower abdominal pain, groin pain, and even back pain. It is an unspeakable pain!

3. Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor in elderly men. Its incidence rate is second only to lung cancer in some Western countries and ranks second among male malignant tumors. In China, with the aging of the population, the improvement of living standards and the change of dietary structure, coupled with the improvement of medical detection level, the incidence of prostate cancer is also increasing year by year. In particular, the detection rate of latent prostate cancer in men over 75 years old can be as high as 25%, and it also has a certain family hereditary nature.

Fortunately, prostate cancer is a malignant tumor with a relatively high cure rate. If it can be detected early, the cure rate can reach more than 90%. Here, the author would like to remind all middle-aged and elderly male friends to take good care of the prostate and go to the hospital for regular physical examinations. The health crisis of the prostate is closely related to unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits.

1. Excessive smoking, drinking, and eating spicy foods can stimulate prostate congestion, swelling, and even cause inflammation.

2. Sitting for a long time or riding a bicycle for a long time will cause the blood circulation in the prostate area to slow down, leading to chronic congestion and congestion in the perineum and prostate area, which will not only affect the normal discharge of prostate secretions, but also induce aseptic prostatitis or aggravate bacterial prostatitis.

3. Frequent holding of urine can easily cause bacteria parasitic in the lower part of the male urethra to retrograde into the urethra, causing urethritis and pyelonephritis.

4. Too frequent sex can lead to excessive congestion of the prostate and induce prostatitis. Therefore, it is still necessary to be able to do "three mores", "three lesses" and "three noes" to effectively avoid the embarrassment of having a tight "prostate" at a young age.

Figure 3 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

When it comes to good nutrition for prostate maintenance, lycopene comes to mind immediately. Its strong antioxidant capacity can protect prostate cells from free radical attack and damage, and enhance the self-repair ability of prostate cells. Therefore, you may as well put tomato-related home-cooked dishes such as tomato cauliflower, tomato scrambled eggs, and tomato stewed noodles on the table frequently.