The prostate gland manufactures PSA (prostate-specific antigen).

Medical issues tend to be more common in middle-aged and elderly males.

The PSA Test is a medical examination where a sample of blood is taken from a patient and examined in order to determine the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) present.

It serves as a tool for identifying prostate cancer and other prostate-related issues at an early stage.

This article will explore the sources of elevated PSA levels in males and how you can naturally diminish them, decrease nighttime wakefulness, and take away the indications of BPH.

The Significance of Your PSA

A prostate exam involves taking a blood sample to screen for the presence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in males. It is accepted that a small level of PSA in the blood is normal, but an increase can signify a range of difficulties.

2.5 ng/mL is considered safe. Between 2.6 and 4 ng/mL is considered to be a safe range for most males; however, it is still a good idea to seek advice from a healthcare professional regarding any other potential risks. 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL is suspicious. However, this is not always the case. Men who have high Prostate-Specific Antigens (PSAs) are not always diagnosed with prostate cancer; however, in some cases, individuals with exceedingly low PSAs can be identified with the disease.

As you age, the prostate enlarges and produces a greater amount of PSA.

The American Urological Association does not endorse regular PSA testing for males who are younger than 54 (Carter et al., 2013).

If your PSA test turns out to be greater than usual for your age or keeps going up, it may be recommended to do an internal examination and do some imaging tests. In suspicious cases, a prostate biopsy may be recommended.

Nonetheless, examining a biopsy sample can have some adverse consequences, which we will analyze further.

What Causes PSA to Rise?

• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)- An infected prostate (prostatitis) occurs when the prostate becomes inflamed. Areas around the prostate also became swelled and inflamed during prostatitis, which can cause feelings of pain.
• Urinary tract infection- A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by bacteria. The bacteria (usually Escherichia coli) enters the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)– Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when the prostate expands to twice or even three times its regular size. The growing prostate gland presses against the urethra and restricts urinary flow, resulting in lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Prostate cancer- Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that can affect men; only skin cancer is more common. It is cancer of the prostate gland, which is located between the bladder and the penis. Elevated PSA levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
• Recent sexual activity- Studies show that frequent sexual activity or a recent ejaculation can cause a mild rise in PSA. This is why men are advised not to ejaculate for 48 hours before a PSA screening test. It makes a false-positive result.

A high PSA level does not necessarily mean that cancer is present. However, it is often the first thought men have.

If there is an issue with the prostate, a PSA score can detect it.

Nobody desires to be told that their PSA rating is particularly high. You should keep in mind that a large PSA count indicates the presence of an issue, not its origin.

How to Lower PSA Levels Naturally

Different approaches can be taken to lower your PSA measurements and help preclude any further prostate health complications.

Scroll down to find out how.

1. Keep active.

Any kind of physical activity is beneficial for the body. By engaging in aerobic exercise, males can shed pounds, a positive thing for reducing PSA ratings. Being overweight can cause the body to create hormones that can have a negative effect on prostate health.

Studies show that men with prostate cancer could have a greater chance of survival if they acquire three hours of physical activity that falls between moderate and intense per week.

It should be kept in mind that working out may lead to a brief increase of PSA levels and should be prevented before a PSA examination.

2. Stress.

Tension can trigger the secretion of hormones, which are associated with prostate difficulties. Engaging in yoga and meditation can be an effective way to work out and reduce tension simultaneously.

A study followed 93 men who had prostate cancer. A number of the males stuck to a largely plant-based diet and partook in physical activity on a consistent basis. They engaged in leisure activities like yoga for sixty minutes daily.

The results of their PSA test were much more satisfactory and were utilized for checking the development of prostate cancer.

3. Get more lycopene, lysine, and zinc in your diet.

DHA is worth paying attention to since it is a hormone that can affect the enlargement of the prostate. It has a particular effect, as it encourages the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which has a connection to the growth of unhealthy cells and the potential for cancer. You can reduce the level of DHT by selecting foods that contain certain vitamins, including lycopene, lysine, and zinc, which are known to have this effect. Studies have indicated that taking DIM can decrease estrogen levels, which affects the amount of dihydrotestosterone produced.

According to research conducted by the National Institutes, lycopene has the ability to reduce IGF-1 growth in prostate cells by lessening the effect of DHT on the generation of the hormone. You can increase your lycopene intake by consuming tomatoes (preferably cooked), carrots, mangoes, and watermelon. It is suggested to include great sources of lysine, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts, and zinc, such as cashews, spinach, kale, wheat germ, oysters, and white mushrooms in one’s diet.

4. Pump up on pomegranate.

In spite of the fact that it’s not easy to get into a pomegranate due its hard rind and weird pulp and seeds, it is also hard to decrease PSA levels with it. Pick the option of drinking pomegranate juice instead of consuming the fruit directly, and you can still gain the advantage of its high antioxidant power.

If you want juice, make sure to select an unsweetened, all-natural version and stay away from POM pomegranate juice, which has double the amount of sugar than what’s in a can of Coke. Alternatives to sugar are typically better if you are aiming to avoid it completely. This company, “Source Naturals,” offers a formidable, sugar-free pomegranate supplement that you can find right here.

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, conducted a study to observe the impact of consuming pomegranate juice on men who had seen PSA levels increase after receiving treatment for prostate cancer with respect to the doubling times of PSA. The people involved in the study were randomly assigned to receive an inactive pill, pomegranate extract, or pomegranate juice, and no one knew which they were given, as part of a trial that was done in multiple locations and had a control group using a placebo. Male drinkers demonstrated a noteworthy gain in PSA doubling time, increasing from 12.7 months originally to 20.3. Researchers found that the AA genotype of manganese superoxide dismutase may be especially receptive to pomegranate extract; this led to an increase in PSA doubling time from 13.6 months to 25.6 months.

5. Include more tomatoes in your diet.

Cooked tomatoes are more advantageous than uncooked ones in this particular situation. Tomatoes have been identified as a significant provider of lycopene, an antioxidant which has been demonstrated by many scientific experiments to help reduce PSA readings and a person’s chance of having prostate cancer. To achieve the best outcomes, it is recommended to incorporate tomato-based sauces, paste, stewed tomatoes, soups, and juices into one’s diet regularly.

Research done in Brazil has indicated that men who had benign prostate hyperplasia and consumed 50 grams of tomato paste each day for ten weeks experienced a considerable decline in their PSA readings. Tomatoes and lycopene were found to have a positive influence on these results. A separate study conducted at the University of Illinois included 32 male participants with a localized form of prostate cancer and directed them to incorporate tomato sauces into their diets, equal to 30 milligrams of lycopene, for a duration of three weeks. The amount of PSA decreased by 17.5% when the diet was adopted.

6. Steer clear of foods that harm the prostate.

Different ordinary edibles can agitate the prostate and increase the PSA score, in addition to inducing a swollen or expanded prostate. Some of the edibles and drinks to avoid include French fries and potato chips (as they contain acrylamide), alcoholic beverages, sugar and goodies loaded with sugar, eggs, foodstuffs with a high saturated fatty acid content (like meats and chicken), meats that are not organic, dairy products, potatoes, canned items (especially tomatoes) owing to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA), and not fermented soy products (like edamame and tofu).

No studies currently exist demonstrating a clear connection between eating certain foods and drinks and an increase in PSA. Studies have established a connection between these items and an increased likelihood of suffering from one or multiple prostate issues which involve a heightened prostate.

7. Drop those extra pounds.

Studies focusing on the influence of being overweight or obese on PSA levels have yielded inconsistent results. Studies have shown that having too much body weight is linked to a higher possibility of having prostate issues that involve a raised PSA, such as a swollen prostate, prostatitis and prostate cancer. A research conducted by Urology found that overweight Chinese males face a higher probability of having a swollen prostate compared to their average weight counterparts. A 2014 study indicated a correlation between being overweight and having more intense prostate cancer. Having additional body mass usually suggests that your fat cells are generating more estrogen, which is a hazard for prostate cancer.

Research has indicated that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations of well-being men who are carrying a few extra pounds or obese are usually below average.

Having a high PSA level is not the only indication of a prostate problem, so for overall and prostate health, it is best practice to stay at a healthy weight. This should help protect your prostate health and improve your overall health.

8. Reduce your intake of animal protein.

It is critical to obtain an appropriate quantity of protein; however, it is also necessary to consider the source of that protein. Eating foods such as meats, poultry, and dairy which are high in protein can stimulate IGF-1 production, a hormone that has been directly linked to the growth of cancerous cells.

African-American males have almost twice the amount of fatalities from prostate cancer as white men. Black men consume roughly double the amount of PhIP (2-amiino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine), commonly found in cooked beef and chicken, compared to white men. Investigation has uncovered that consuming large amounts of PhIP is connected with higher PSA levels, affirming the theory that dietary change may help reduce the probability of prostate cancer.

Switch out animal-derived protein sources for plant-based options, such as beans, lentils, amaranth, quinoa, and other complete-protein grains, as well as nuts, seeds, small amounts of fermented soy, and spirulina.

9. Supplements.

It is difficult to guarantee that your body is receiving the necessary vitamins and nutrients it needs in the current hurried modern lifestyle.

If you constantly lead a busy lifestyle, maintaining a well-rounded diet with consistent meals can be challenging. Due to the advancements in how food is cultivated, many of its original vitamins and minerals we obtained are no longer present.

It is necessary to consume the correct amount of nourishment daily in order to keep your prostate in optimal condition. Certain prostate supplements can help.

Research indicates that vitamin D can help reduce the speed of the increasing PSA level in men who have been diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer that has not been treated. During the springtime and the summertime, the speed at which PSA goes up decreases. Be sure to go outside when the weather is nice or take a vitamin D supplement.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that beta-sitosterol, an extract from plants, is beneficial for prostate health.

In a single analysis, it was found that beta-sitosterol had a significant impact on the maximum flow rate of the men involved, increasing it by 45%. Men also reported improved urinary symptoms.

Beta-sitosterol prevents 5-alpha-reductase from being activated and decreases swelling by stopping the creation of prostaglandin.

10. Adopt The Prostate Diet.

Hundreds of scientific studies and nutritional data were taken into account when creating the Prostate Diet plan. The implementation of the 10 core components of this plan has the potential to promote good prostate health, reduce inflammation, and maintain PSA concentrations at a low level. For the optimal outcome concerning prostate health and general wellbeing, it is important to stick to these 10 guidelines on a regular basis.

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, organic whenever possible.
• Consume healthy fats—monounsaturated, omega-3 fatty acids.
• Choose plant protein over animal protein.
• Drink green tea often.
• Choose whole, natural foods over refined, processed foods.
• Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., cold water fatty fish, avocados, walnuts, almonds).
• Avoid or significantly limit certain foods and supplements (see “Reduce or avoid foods that harm the prostate above”).
• Choose prostate cancer killing foods and supplements, such as tomatoes, green tea, and vitamin D.
• Stay well hydrated with pure water.
• Consider taking natural supplements that support prostate health.

Conclusion

Altering your everyday habits is an easy approach to reducing PSA numbers and aiding in the preservation of your prostate well-being. Consult with your physician about your probability of having prostate cancer and any prior occurrence of prostate cancer in your family.

Examine the potential benefits and drawbacks of PSA testing and analyze the hazards of a prostate biopsy.

It is important to bear in mind that factors like ejaculating, using catheters, or biking can influence the accuracy of experiment outcomes, so strive to bypass such activities as much as possible at least two days prior to the examination.

It’s crucial to remember that even though a high PSA level may point to prostate cancer, in lots of instances, this is because of a harmless condition. It all is contingent on how high a person’s PSA is and what the patient’s normal levels look like. Any score greater than 10 ng should be carefully evaluated.

Although the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is employed as a technique of identifying prostate cancer, there are many elements that can upsurge your PSA levels, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. Do not think that the recent result always reflects the worst case if your level is too high.