High PSA reading
My husband is 62 and his PSA levels have increased, what does this mean?
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a type of endogenous protein (produced within the body). It is an antigen that causes inflammation and irritation of the prostate gland, resulting signs in and symptoms such as benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), disregulation of prostate cells, prostatitis, nocturia, painful urination, urinary urgency, poor bladder control or impotence.
PSA readings and what they mean
Medical practitioners often measure blood levels of PSA as a biomarker for the presence of prostate cancer and enlarged prostate. High PSA levels are not a definite sign that cancer is present, however it can be a pre-cancerous condition. This is because the high PSA levels can stimulate prostate inflammation, dysregulation, prostate enlargement and proliferation of cancerous cells
The following are the percentile ranges of PSA levels:
- 0 – 2.5 ng per ml = Low
- 2.6 – 10 ng per ml = Slightly to moderately elevated
- 10 – 19.9 ng per ml = Moderately elevated.
- 20 ng per ml = Significantly elevated.
If your reading is elevated please make an appointment with a doctor and also consider making an appointment with a complimentary health care professional who can help to provide your husband with ongoing support, diet and lifestyle advice which this condition requires. They can also work alongside your medical doctors in regards to testing, diagnosis and treatment.
Diet tips for prostate health
- Garlic may inhibit the production of PSA and reduce also reduce the inflammation and irritation
- Increase foods rich in Zinc such as oysters, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), red meat, nuts, sunflower seeds and grains
- Tomatoes (raw tomatoes, tomato paste, and tinned tomatoes) contain Lycopene, a nutrient specific for the prostate gland as an anti-oxidant and decrease the growth of the gland
Lifestyle factors for prostate health
- In Chinese Medicine philosophy it is important to support the health of the kidney when there is a problem with the prostate gland
Natural remedies for prostate health
- Zinc supplementation can decrease the negative effects of the inflammation of the prostate gland, help convert the male hormone testosterone and thereby reduce enlargement, is a powerful anti-oxidant for male reproductive health
- Herbs specific for the prostate gland are Epilobium, saw palmetto, and pygeum
- The herb Green Tea taken in tablet form and taken for at least 3 months may help to lower PSA levels. This herb is a potent anti-carcinogenic and anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and may also help to reduce cellular disregulation
- Increase antioxidant status by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables or take a supplement which contains Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Zinc, Selenium, Grape seed, Olive leaf, Green Tea, Pine Bark, Polygonum
For further information see the Ask a Naturopath.com webpage concerning prostatitis