Prostatitis, a common urological condition, is widely recognized. One of the many admirable qualities of our great nation is its spirit of mutual aid. If a household receives this diagnosis, within days, relatives and neighbors will bring home-remedies and folk remedies gathered from various sources. But do these folk remedies truly work? What are the more reliable dietary approaches for treating or alleviating prostatitis?Professor Guo Zhenghui, Chief Physician of the Department of Urology at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University (Expert Appointment), addressed this question on the "Health Q&A" platform of Family Doctor Online. Let's see what the expert has to say.
Folk remedies should not be trusted; their ingredients are questionable
Prostatitis primarily manifests as pain during urination, frequent or urgent urination, incomplete emptying, lower back pain, abdominal distension, and urethral discharge. As it can affect reproductive function, it causes significant psychological distress for men.Driven by this anxiety, many uncritically embrace folk remedies. However, Guo Zhenghui cautions that most traditional home cures and folk methods should not be trusted lightly.
These remedies often exaggerate their efficacy while delivering poor therapeutic results.In recent years, advertisements for "pure herbal remedies" claiming miraculous cures for prostatitis have proliferated. Some patients report positive outcomes from these "remedies," but this is often due to the addition of Western pharmaceuticals to the herbal mixtures. This practice not only violates national drug regulations but also breaches basic medical ethics, representing market chaos driven purely by profit motives. Therefore, he advises against placing blind trust in folk remedies for prostatitis.
7 Foods That Effectively Treat and Alleviate Prostatitis
For those genuinely seeking non-pharmaceutical approaches to manage prostatitis symptoms, Guo Zhenghui recommends the following dietary adjustments.
First: Cabbage. If you dislike cabbage, consider this research finding:A study involving 1,200 men found that those who consistently consumed cabbage had a 41% lower risk of developing prostatitis.
Second: Oranges. Oranges contain hesperidin, vitamin C, and other nutrients. Researchers discovered that daily consumption of oranges or orange juice may reduce the likelihood of prostatitis.
Third: Malt extract. Malt extract is rich in vitamin E and zinc.Studies indicate that supplementing with vitamin E and daily zinc intake can reduce prostate cancer risk by 20% and 45%, respectively. Fourth: Tomatoes. Tomatoes and carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which helps your body absorb lycopene from tomatoes and may lower prostatitis risk by 32%.
Fifth are seafood and similar foods: Include more seafood, lean meats, legumes, and sesame seeds in your diet to meet the body's zinc requirements.
Sixth are nuts: Most nuts have beneficial effects on prostate function, such as winter melon seeds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, cashews, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.Men are advised to incorporate these foods into their regular diet.
Seventh: Fruits and whole grains. Since constipation may worsen prostate heaviness, regularly consume fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to reduce constipation. Moderate honey intake helps maintain regular bowel movements.