Tomatoes don't directly "shrink" an enlarged prostate (BPH), but their high lycopene content, especially in cooked forms, is linked to reduced prostate cancer risk and may help slow BPH progression by reducing inflammation and affecting cell growth, potentially improving urinary symptoms. Eating tomato products like sauces, paste, or juice regularly, ideally with healthy fats, is recommended to boost absorption and support overall prostate health, though it's part of a broader healthy diet, not a standalone cure.
Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy treats the source of BPH — your enlarged prostate. This short, in-office procedure uses the natural energy stored in a few drops of water to shrink the prostate. So urine can flow freely.
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In an uncontrolled trial, a tomato sauce intervention for 3 weeks reduced PSA in a subgroup of prostate cancer patients [8], while lycopene supplements or extracts seemed to be less effective in reducing PSA [9], [10], [11].
Healthcare professionals use external beam radiation to treat cancer that's only in the prostate. For a small prostate cancer, it might be the only treatment needed. Sometimes healthcare professionals recommend external beam radiation after surgery. The radiation can help kill any cancer cells that might remain.
Higher risk associated with certain foods.
There is no particular food or recipe that can directly kill prostate cancer cells. Some foods that may be helpful in prostate cancer recovery and relapse prevention include foods containing lycopene, beans, green tea, cruciferous vegetables and fruit like cranberries, strawberries, blueberries and pomegranates.
Foods that may help protect your prostate include: Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, kale, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. These vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They also contain phytochemicals.
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits are high in vitamin C, which may aid in protecting the prostate gland. Nuts: Nuts are rich in mineral zinc. There is a high concentration of zinc that is naturally found in the prostate gland.
Lycopene in tomatoes is claimed to improve male fertility.
Good news for couples trying to conceive: studies have found that tomato consumption may help address several factors behind male infertility. Tomatoes are a fruit easily found in many places.
Summary:Frequent ejaculation—more than 20 times per month—may lower the risk of prostate cancer and potentially reduce the risk of prostate enlargement, although it is not a guaranteed preventive measure. Prostate cancer can impact sexual health, primarily through treatment side effects, not the disease itself.
Cooking tomatoes in a little oil increases the absorption of lycopene compared to raw tomatoes or tomato juice, which is why we recommend consuming cooked tomato products at least two times per week.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
These medicines shrink the prostate. They do this by preventing hormone changes that cause the prostate to grow. Examples include finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart). They might take up to six months to work well and can cause sexual side effects.
That said, if you don't want to live with an enlarged prostate, various proven surgical and non-surgical methods can help reduce the prostate's size immediately or over time. In essence, if you have been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, it isn't all doom and gloom.
The 6 Best Treatments for BPH
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels.
These medicines slowly shrink the prostate so that it stops pressing on the urethra, making it easier to urinate. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors usually take at least six months to work fully, but they are effective at improving symptoms in the long term.
Make sure to focus on eating fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, apricots, berries, and pomegranate. These fruits offer plenty of antioxidants that will help to remove free radicals from the body, benefit prostate gland cells, and help to protect the body from cancer.
Men who consumed six or more cups per day had an 18% lower risk of prostate cancer compared with men who did not drink coffee (relative risk [RR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.68 to 0.98, Plinear trend = . 10).
Adding dried fruits such as prunes, apricots, figs, and dates can support prostate health. They provide nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber that help protect prostate cells, potentially reducing disease risk.
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Salmon, tuna, and other fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help with prostate health. A 2013 review discussed the potential role of omega-3s in prostate health [6]. Aim to include fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet at least twice a week.
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Gut Bacteria May Fuel Prostate Cancer Growth. How does advanced prostate cancer continue to grow, despite hormone therapy? A new study implicates bacteria in the gut that make testosterone, fueling the tumor. This groundbreaking insight may also offer a new approach to treatment.
Almost everyone — 99% — diagnosed before it spreads lives at least five years after diagnosis. In many cases, treatment can eliminate cancers that stay in the prostate. Survival rates aren't as good if the cancer spreads — 32% of people with metastatic prostate cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.