Protection of the prostate is a serious consideration men must always think of. This is especially true for aging men. Even if the symptoms do not occur until one reaches 40s or older, taking precaution is very important. Preventing a problem from occurring is easier to do than curing it.

What is the prostate? The prostate is the gland found just below the urinary bladder, surrounding the urethra and with the apex connected to the penis. The main function of the prostate is to supply the necessary nutrients for the semen. It also comprises a considerable portion of the white fluid containing it. Thus, any abnormality in the prostate will affect a man?s urinating, as well as his ejaculation and erection.

The most common problems encountered with the prostate are: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH and the much-dreaded prostate cancer. Prostatitis includes infection or inflammation of the prostate. It may be caused by bacteria but is not transmitted through sexual contact. BPH, on the other hand, is the enlargement of the prostate. This becomes a problem because an enlarged prostate causes pressure on the urethra thereby making it hard for urine to pass through. Prostate cancer is caused by a tumor. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death among men.

Curing prostate disorders can be done through different methods. There are the radiation treatments, surgery and drug-intake. However, these can be too risky and may prove damaging to one?s health. Radiation for example, may kill cancer-infected cells but can kill healthy cells as well. Drugs like antibiotics on the other hand, only alleviate the pain and inflammation but do not provide a cure. This is the reason why most men prefer natural prostate formulas to avoid any further complications with their bodies.

Ingredients contained in natural prostate formulas are mainly obtained from plants. Since they are good for the body, they are considered safe for everyday intake. The popular ingredients include bet sitosterol, vitamins, zinc, selenium, pumpkin seed and lycopene. Other manufacturers even include unique plant extracts like nettle root, saw palmetto and pygeum.

Among the many components available, beta-sitosterol is considered to be the most valuable in the treatment of BPH. This component aids with the maintenance of the urine flow which in turn, reduces the risk for complications to occur in the bladder and the kidney. Soy products are the main source of beta-sitosterol.

The minerals zinc and selenium are important for securing a healthy condition of the prostate. The antioxidant lycopene meanwhile, targets the DNA to maintain its healthy functioning.

Inflammation of the prostate is targeted by saw palmetto. This component also prevents testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is damaging to the prostate if its amount is high. Nettle root acts on high levels of estrogen from damaging the prostate cells. Pygeum diminishes the impulse to urinate often.

It is of course best to start taking care of the prostate now even if symptoms indicating a problem are not yet evident. A healthy lifestyle would be a good start to prevent the occurrence of any disorder in the prostate.