Different effective ways to control PSA levels
The prostate is a small gland located amidst the bladder and the pennies which are situated in front of the rectum. The prostate is the area which secretes a fluid that nourishes and shields the sperm. The prostate may grow in size, gradually with age, which is natural, although an abnormal enlargement and hardening of the prostate may be troublesome. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and also the third leading cause of death in men. Most prostate cancers are first found during screening with “Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. It is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in the bloodstream. PSA is a chemical produced by the prostate tissues.
PSA from the prostate is generally released from the body with the semen but a small amount of it leaks into the bloodstream as well. The PSA test finds out the PSA levels in the blood, and then, these values are compared with the standard values of the PSA levels chart. If the values are not normal, there is a good chance that the prostate is not in the best of shape. The levels of PSA in the blood aren’t the final judge of abnormality or assured malfunction of the prostate.
Other factors such as family medical history, ethnicity or the possibility of a urinary tract infection are also considered. These factors may play a hand in the fluctuation of PSA readings. A normal PSA levels age chart shows the standard PSA levels in a human with respect to the age. Although there are different standards for people from different races and ethnicities, generally a ‘4.0 Ng/ml’ and lower are considered ‘normal.’ If the levels are higher, the doctor would recommend a prostate biopsy to determine whether there is any trace of cancer or not.
Older men generally have slightly higher levels of PSA than the younger lot. The PSA test cannot be deemed ‘conclusive’ of the diagnosis of prostate cancer. There have been cases, wherein the levels of PSA were found to be way lesser than the standard 4.0 Ng/ml and yet, the person had prostate cancer. Having said that, it is also certain that if the level of PSA is high; the probability of cancer is high as well.
Conducting the aforementioned ‘inconclusiveness’ associated with the PSA test, this test is generally followed up with biopsy and other tests, including the ‘Digital Rectal Examination’ (DRE), which involves physical testing of size and hardness of the prostate. A suspect DRE test is a lot more conclusive of the presence of cancer, as compared to a PSA test, irrespective of the level of PSA. Another notable drawback is that the test doesn’t exactly indicate the level of seriousness of the situation, i.e., if it is still an early stage or a potentially life or death situation.
In spite of the many drawbacks, it is a very important indication of prostate health. A lower PSA level normally indicates a healthy prostate. Apart from appropriate medication, it is very much possible to reduce the PSA levels with a proper food intake. Here are some of the foods that are extremely helpful in lowering the antigen levels:
- Fruits and vegetables
Brutally speaking, including more fruits and vegetables in your diet will go a long way in maintaining a healthy prostate. Substances like lycopene, zinc, L-lysine, etc., present in many fruits and vegetables inhibit DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), which is a major cause of prostate inflammation. - Tomato
Tomato is a fruit, rich in lycopene, which is often associated with prevention of prostate cancer. Cooking the tomatoes would help release the lycopene from the cells, thereby making it a lot easier for the body to absorb. - Pomegranate
It is a fruit rich in phytonutrients. Research has indicated that the pomegranate intake could slow the progression of prostate cancer. Furthermore, it has been said to curb the growth of cancer cells. - Broccoli
Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower contain sulfur-rich components and are said to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by about 50%. It reduces PSA production and restores normal tumor suppressor genes. - Green tea
Apparently, green tea contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidant compounds called polyphenols that have the power to inhibit the cancer cells and reduce the PSA levels. - Soy
Soybeans are a rich source of protein and other nutrients. Studies have suggested that soy intake is indirectly proportional to prostate cancer risk. It lowers the DHT content in the bloodstream.
Many other foods like nuts, spinach, turmeric, and avocado are also very helpful in maintaining a strong and healthy prostate. Keeping a healthy distance from red meat, dairy products, alcohol, and sugars is also very important as these could harm the prostate and even increase the level of PSA in the blood. If and when diagnosed early, prostate cancer can be easily treated; but precaution is still better than cure.
Eat healthily and live long. One can also create a normal PSA levels age chart for help and ease.
