Nutritional intervention for BPH includes a healthy low-fat, high-fiber
diet, weight loss if necessary, vitamin and mineral supplements and, in some
cases, essential fatty acids such as flaxseed oil, says Dr. Balch. Some
doctors also consider two herbs, saw palmetto and pygeum (a tree bark used
extensively in Europe for this problem), an essential part of treatment. One
product, Prostata, from Gero Vita International, combines all of these herbs
and nutrients, says Dr. Balch.

One doctor, Irving Bush, M.D., professor of urology at the University of
Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School, senior consultant at the Center for
Study of Genitourinary Diseases in West Dundee, Illinois, and former
chairman of the Food and Drug Administration panels on gastroenterology,
urology and dialysis, did a small study of the use of zinc in treating BPH.
The men in the study took 150 milligrams of zinc sulfate every day for two
months, followed by 50 to 100 milligrams a day as a maintenance dose. Dr.
Bush found that 14 of the 19 men experienced shrinkage of the prostate.
Dr. Bush continues to prescribe zinc to his patients with BPH. He uses
Vicon-C from Whitby Pharmaceuticals, a product that offers 80 milligrams of
zinc sulfate per capsule, along with vitamin C, several B vitamins and
magnesium. (This amount of zinc is well above the Daily Value of 15
milligrams.) He recommends two capsules a day, after meals, and says it may
take about six months to begin to see results. "It's not going to work for
everyone, since gastrointestinal absorption and the presence of binding
proteins are different in everyone," he admits. "But I think it's worth a
try."
On the other hand, too much zinc is just plain toxic, Dr. Balch says. "My
opinion is that if you go above 80 to 100 milligrams a day, you're skating
on thin ice," he says. And other experts suggest not taking more than 15
milligrams daily without medical supervision. Too much zinc can cause anemia
and immunity problems.
Lose that gut. Men with 43-inch waists or greater are 50 percent more likely
than normal-weight men to report symptoms of prostate enlargement or to have
surgery for this condition, Harvard University researchers report. Losing
about 7 inches of waistline, about 35 pounds in most cases, could be a
method of treating and preventing prostate enlargement, they say.

The best way to shake this stubborn fat? Eliminate alcohol and cut way back
on sugar and dietary fat. At the same time, burn calories by walking,
biking, swimming or running.
Trim the fat. A lean diet may be the best way yet to slash your risk of
prostate cancer, experts say. Avoid saturated and hydrogenated fats (hard at
room temperature) and stick to monounsaturated fats (olive oil or canola
oil) for cooking.

Flush it. Drinking plenty of fluids--two to three quarts of water every
day--helps prevent the bladder infections, cystitis and kidney problems
sometimes associated with an enlarged prostate, doctors say.

Fiber up. A high-fiber diet helps reduce your risk of prostate cancer by
slightly lowering your body's levels of reproductive hormones. In population
studies, men who eat the most fiber, from beans, whole grains, fruits and
vegetables, are least likely to develop prostate cancer.
Prescriptions for Healing

Some doctors recommend a veritable smorgasbord of nutrients to treat benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Solid scientific evidence that these nutrients
help is sadly lacking, but some doctors say that they see a difference in
men who take them. Here's what is often recommended.

Nutrient Daily Amount

Beta-carotene 15,000 international units

Magnesium 400 milligrams

Selenium 50-200 micrograms

Vitamin A 10,000 international units

Vitamin B6 2 milligrams

Vitamin C 1,000-5,000 milligrams

Vitamin E 600 international units

Zinc 160 milligrams (Vicon-C), taken as 2 divided doses