What to eat for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Generally, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can improve their physical condition by consuming foods such as pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, broccoli, kiwifruit, and sea bass, as well as oral medications including Tamsulosin Hydrochloride Sustained-release Capsules, Finasteride Tablets, Dutasteride Soft Capsules, Pule'an Tablets, and Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract Soft Capsules. Foods may assist in improving overall health, while medications should be taken under medical supervision and may vary in effectiveness among individuals. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Foods

1. Pumpkin Seeds: Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, zinc, and plant sterols, pumpkin seeds provide zinc, which is essential for maintaining normal prostate function, and plant sterols that help regulate hormone levels, offering auxiliary benefits in relieving urinary discomfort caused by prostate enlargement.

2. Tomatoes: Abundant in lycopene, a natural antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative damage to prostate tissue, improving prostate health and positively contributing to the management of BPH.

3. Broccoli: Contains large amounts of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and glucosinolates. Vitamin C boosts immune function, dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility, and glucosinolates may exert anti-inflammatory effects after metabolism, helping maintain prostate health.

4. Kiwifruit: Rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and various minerals, kiwifruit supports metabolism and immunity, creating a favorable environment for prostate health and assisting in alleviating BPH-related discomfort.

5. Sea Bass: High in high-quality protein, selenium, and multiple amino acids. Protein is essential for tissue repair and maintaining normal body functions, while selenium exerts antioxidant effects that protect prostate cells and help improve the overall condition of patients with BPH.

2. Medications

1. Tamsulosin Hydrochloride Sustained-Release Capsules: An α1-adrenergic receptor blocker that relaxes smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, reducing urethral obstruction and alleviating symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, weak urine stream, and difficulty urinating caused by BPH.

2. Finasteride Tablets: A 5α-reductase inhibitor that prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), reducing DHT-induced prostate stimulation, shrinking prostate volume, and improving urinary symptoms with long-term use while lowering the risk of acute urinary retention.

3. Dutasteride Soft Capsules: Also a 5α-reductase inhibitor that inhibits both isoforms of 5α-reductase, providing stronger effects in reducing prostate volume. It is suitable for patients with moderate to severe BPH and can relieve difficulty in urination.

4. Pule'an Tablets: Primarily composed of pollen from rape flowers, this medication has kidney-tonifying and essence-consolidating effects, suitable for symptoms such as soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, difficult urination, and post-urination dribbling caused by kidney qi deficiency.

5. Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract Soft Capsules: Mainly contains saw palmetto fruit extract, which inhibits prostate tissue proliferation, reduces prostate congestion, and alleviates discomfort such as frequent urination, urgency, and increased nocturnal urination caused by BPH.

Patients with BPH should maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, limit tobacco and alcohol consumption, avoid prolonged sitting and urine retention, and engage in appropriate pelvic floor muscle exercises.