How to use ginger for prostate health? Is ginger good for the prostate? Are there any studies that support this claim? What are the effects of ginger on prostate cancer cells? And what are the other most recommended plants to cure or diminish the effect of the multiple pathologies of the prostate?
I. What is the Prostate and Its Concerns?
Located between the pubis and the rectum, the prostate is a gland of the male genital system. It surrounds the urethra and is about the size of a walnut or a chestnut. It is a kind of canal that carries urine from the bladder to the outside.
The prostate promotes and participates in the production of seminal fluid, which makes up the bulk of semen. It should be noted that the seminal vesicles also secrete part of the seminal fluid.
Several problems can affect the prostate.
Here are the most common: prostatitis or inflammation of the prostate, prostate cancer, and benign prostatic hypertrophy or prostate adenoma, which is the enlargement of the prostate gland and is very common in older men.
These three diseases, even if they have the same symptoms, do not have the same treatments or the same consequences.
You are strongly advised to consult your doctor if you have genitourinary problems.
As regular symptoms of prostate cancer, we can mention:
Fever associated with chills, urinary symptoms such as burning during urination, too frequent urges to urinate, pain in the pubic area, at the urethra, penis, and sometimes the rectum, general malaise, muscle pain, a painful prostate when touching the rectum.
It should also be noted that the prostate causes particularly annoying symptoms: very frequent urges to urinate, difficulty in urinating, in emptying the bladder, pain, etc. Therefore, you must seek immediate medical attention.
Even though prostate cancer, like all cancers, can be difficult to eradicate and presents risks of metastasis, it must be said that prostate cancer is generally well treated.
Unfortunately, prostate cancer remains the 4th leading cause of cancer mortality. For example, in France alone, there are approximately 10,000 deaths per year.
However, in general, prostate cancer is a disease that progresses slowly and can be diagnosed early.
Let’s discover the studies on ginger and prostate cancer.
II. Studies on Ginger and Prostate Cancer
More and more, the anti-cancer effects of spices are recognized and studied. Nowadays, almost everyone knows that ginger is an excellent source of phenols.
Also, most people know that ginger has marked antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative properties.
In 2012, in the British Journal of Nutrition, a scientific study was published proving that ginger can inhibit and induce the destruction of prostate cancer cells in mice. The results were remarkable.
Specifically, during this scientific study, an oral dose of 100 mg of ginger per kilo of weight was administered to mice. The growth and progression of prostate cancer cells were inhibited by 56% by ginger.
Similarly, ginger had significant apoptotic effects on cancer cells.
In addition, ginger showed no toxicity in normal tissues. This scientific study, according to the researchers, is the first to demonstrate the anticancer properties of ginger in-vitro and in-vivo in the context of prostate cancer.
In short, the preventive and curative properties of ginger against prostate cancer have been revealed by this study from Georgia State University (Atlanta).
Let’s now discuss the active ingredients and properties of ginger.
III. Active Principles and Properties of Ginger
Ginger is known to have antioxidant properties. In general, antioxidants are compounds that protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals.
These free radicals are highly reactive molecules that are believed to be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and other age-related diseases.
About forty antioxidant compounds have been discovered in ginger.
It is important to note that some of these antioxidant compounds are heat resistant and can even be released during cooking.
This could explain the increased antioxidant activity of ginger when it is cooked.
Ground ginger ranked third in antioxidant content among more than 1,000 foods tested.
Ginger is also known for its pungent taste. Gingerol is the main active compound responsible for the pungent taste of fresh ginger. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are well known. Also, ginger helps a lot to relieve nausea and vomiting.
In this regard, many studies have evaluated the anti-emetic effect attributed to ginger. That is, the ability to prevent or stop nausea and vomiting. Finally, let’s discover the other plants to treat the prostate.
IV. Effects of Ginger on Prostate Cancer Cells
Ginger root is well known for its potassium and manganese content. Potassium is essential for maintaining normal blood circulation and muscle and nerve function, while manganese helps absorb beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Ginger contains vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, and zinc, all-powerful antioxidants that protect the prostate from harmful free radicals.
Free radicals accelerate tissue aging and cancer development. Vitamin C and zinc stimulate the immune system and protect the body from infection and inflammation.
Ginger is effective in blocking 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme that promotes the development of cancer. It helps reduce the risk of cancer and even helps reduce tumors in the prostate.
In several studies, ginger has been found to affect prostate cancer cells by weakening the development of cancer cells, disrupting the growth cycle of cancer cells, destroying cancer cells by interrupting energy production, and stimulating the release of enzymes that break down cancer cells.
Ginger should not be used alone in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer. If you have symptoms or want to know more about preventing prostate cancer, it is imperative to consult a urologist or at least a general practitioner.
V. Does Ginger Help Enlarged Prostate
Many studies have examined the link between ginger and prostate cancer, and their results are also positive: Regular consumption of concentrated ginger daily can destroy prostate cancer cells by 56%.
Ginger inhibits the growth and progression of prostate cancer cells, causing noticeable apoptotic effects on the cancer cells.
VI. Ginger and Prostate Inflammation
Ginger helps fight prostate cancer. It may also help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
In addition, ginger protects our prostate from injury and inflammation, thus promoting prostate health.
VII. How to Use Ginger for Prostate
1. Ginger Water
The ginger plant is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative effects on tumors, which makes ginger water a promising chemo-preventive product.
Ginger water has significant growth inhibition and death-inducing effects in a spectrum of prostate cells.
It helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer by protecting the prostate from damage and inflammation, thus contributing to prostate health.
2. Ginger and Turmeric
This ginger and turmeric tea recipe is packed with antioxidants, which are defined as a substance (such as beta-carotene or vitamin C) that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides, or free radicals.
Many prostate cancer diets suggest a diet rich in antioxidants, such as ginger and turmeric tea.
Turmeric Ginger Tea:
- 250 ml boiling water
- 1 teaspoon fresh turmeric root, grated (1/3 teaspoon if using dry turmeric)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (1/3 teaspoon if using dry ginger)
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Honey to taste, optional
- A wedge of fresh lemon, optional
- Mix all ingredients together.
Drink daily or as much as you like.
3. Ginger and Garlic
Garlic and ginger have powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties.
There is evidence to suggest that a diet rich in garlic and ginger may help protect against certain types of cancer.
This may be due to their concentration of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that help protect cells from damage.
4. Whole Ginger Extract
Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities, indicating its promising role as a chemo-preventive agent.
Whole ginger extract (GE) exerts significant growth-inhibitory and death-inducing effects in a spectrum of prostate cancer cells.
5. Is Raw Ginger Good for Prostate?
Ginger can be consumed in several forms. It can be consumed in its original form, fresh (raw), taking care to peel it, at a rate of 500 mg per day.
VIII. Additional Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger supplementation can:
- Support your immune system.
- Reduce your risk of diabetes.
- Act as an excellent anti-inflammatory.
- Relieve stomach aches.
- Also fight against morning sickness.
- Prevent heart disease.
IX. Other Plants to Treat the Prostate
In addition to ginger, several other plants can be used to treat the prostate. We will list at least two of these plants and their actions.
On the one hand, we can mention Pygeum Africanum which means African plum tree. The extract of the bark of the African plum tree is a phytotherapeutic product that promotes the improvement of urinary flow.
Therefore, this natural product from an African tree improves the quality of life of people with symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy.
The symptoms of this disease are reduced by the consumption of this plant. To relieve the different symptoms of mild or moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is possible to associate African plum with saw palmetto berries, as well as nettle roots.
On the other hand, Serenoa Repens, better known as saw palmetto berry, is a plant that can treat the prostate. It should be noted that this second natural solution is one of the most used with the African plum tree.
It is the dwarf palmetto berry that also proves to be effective in the treatment of mild or moderate benign prostate hypertrophy.
In concrete terms, its consumption is as effective as the use of synthetic drugs and does not generate any undesirable effects on erection and sexual function.
To treat mild and moderate prostate symptoms, it is recommended to use palmetto berries. And this, in combination with other natural solutions or with medicines.
X. Worst Foods for Prostate Health
It is not enough to know that these plants are beneficial for the different pathologies of the prostate but it is more judicious to know all the foods that seriously contribute to creating all these diseases or accentuate them.
Here are the foods to avoid in case of prostate problems in addition to taking ginger cures and other herbs:
- Red meat: Research suggests that not eating red meat can help improve prostate health. In fact, it’s estimated that daily meat consumption triples the risk of prostate enlargement.
- Dairy: As with meat, regular consumption of dairy products has been linked to an increased risk of this condition. Cutting out or reducing butter, cheese and milk consumption may help reduce its symptoms.
- Caffeine: Caffeine can act as a diuretic, which means it increases the amount, frequency and urgency of urination. Reducing coffee, tea, soda and chocolate consumption can improve urinary symptoms of prostate disease.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can also stimulate urine production. Men with prostate disease may find that their symptoms are improved by giving up alcohol.
- Sodium: High salt intake can increase associated urinary symptoms. Following a low sodium diet by not adding salt to meals and avoiding processed foods may be helpful for some men.
XI. How to Clean Up Your Prostate and Keep it Healthy
- Maintain an ideal weight (good ratio between height and weight).
- Exercise the pelvic floor muscles to control urination.
- Reduce stress.
- Consider herbal supplementation with saw palmetto, fireweed, pumpkin seeds or nettle root
- Consume garlic and onions regularly
- Avoid stimulating drinks such as coffee, tea and alcohol.
- Studies show that sexual activity plays a role in prostate health. Frequent ejaculation (alone or with a partner) promotes prostate health
- Exercise frequently to modulate hormones, maintain weight and reduce sympathetic nervous system activity, which will reduce the severity of urinary symptoms.
- Try to urinate in a sitting position. This reduces residual bladder volume, increases urine flow and decreases urination time.
- Increase dietary sources of zinc, essential fatty acids, selenium and lycopene – all essential for male reproductive health. Try pumpkin seeds, tomatoes and salmon!
Useful Links:
Advances in Prostate Cancer Research
What’s New in Prostate Cancer Research?
Clinical Trials & Research for Prostate Cancer
How to use ginger to get pregnant fast
