For men, prostatitis is as common as the common cold, affecting 35%–50% of men at some point in their lives. The prostate is an accessory gland shaped like an inverted cone, located between the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, encircling the urethra.
Three groups are prone to prostatitis:
1. Those who sit for extended periods
Many drivers and office workers rarely move once seated, except to use the restroom.Only 30% move when feeling discomfort, while just 10% stand up every half hour. This "static" lifestyle leads to pelvic congestion and impaired blood circulation in the genital area. Combined with a preference for spicy foods, low water intake, and frequent urine retention, it can cause prostatitis, cystitis, and other diseases.
2. Those who love spicy foods
Spicy and pungent foods like green onions, raw garlic, chili peppers, and black pepper irritate the prostate and urethra. Consuming them can cause prostate vascular dilation, edema, or reduced resistance, promoting the proliferation of resident bacteria and triggering acute prostatitis or worsening chronic symptoms.
3. Individuals who frequently stay up late
Sleepless nights severely damage the prostate. Insufficient sleep significantly weakens the body's immune defenses, making the prostate vulnerable to bacterial invasion. Compounding the risk, late nights combined with smoking, alcohol consumption, prolonged internet use, and sedentary behavior amplify the harm.
How can men protect their prostate?
1. Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Prostate issues in men primarily fall into two categories: chronic prostatitis, common among young and middle-aged men, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), affecting over 90% of older men. "These are two distinct conditions, yet they share one crucial commonality: maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to alleviate or prevent progression.Avoid prolonged sitting, excessive alcohol consumption, and spicy foods. Never hold urine. Treat constipation or diarrhea promptly. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that alcohol abuse and irritating foods generate internal damp-heat, which accumulates in reproductive organs, causing prostate congestion and inflammation.
2. Exercise to Boost Immunity
Current research suggests a link between immune function and prostate health. Conditions like colds or exposure to cold temperatures can potentially trigger prostate issues. Therefore, men should engage in regular exercise to enhance physical resistance and avoid catching colds or getting chilled, which is crucial for preventing prostate diseases.
3. Consuming Pumpkin Seeds and Walnuts
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes dietary supplementation, and prostate health is no exception. TCM holds that the kidneys store essence, governing reproductive functions as well as bladder and urination. Thus, consuming kidney-tonifying foods benefits the prostate.Pumpkin seeds and walnuts are not only excellent for kidney tonification, but pumpkin seeds also have diuretic properties, while walnuts help soften stools. Therefore, as men age, they should consume more pumpkin seeds and walnuts to address kidney qi deficiency.
Additionally, in recent years, many medications for prostate conditions have incorporated pollen extracts. Experts suggest men may also benefit from consuming pollen, particularly rapeseed pollen and naked barley pollen. Since honey contains the essence of pollen, men without diabetes may find moderate honey consumption helpful for prostate health.