Men & Women's Health Awareness Month:The Prostate & Thyroid Glands Exposed

Like most men I am concerned about my health, and increasingly, the subject of prostate health has found its way into many of my conversations. Interestingly, I am amazed at how little most men actually know about their prostate, and at the casual nonchalance they seem to exhibit about it. This is not surprising when one considers the wealth of misinformation out there pertaining to the subject. Sure you can find great advice about what to do once you have a problem, but little, if anything is out there about prevention. If nothing else, the one thing I have most definitely learned is "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

The prostate is a small, doughnut-shaped, walnut sized gland located beneath the bladder. It encircles the urethra (the urinary outlet from the bladder) so that it may release prostatic fluid into semen during ejaculation. There are many factors which can influence and irritate the prostate at any time including infection and hormone levels.

Inflammation is the catalyst which can lead down the path to more complicated prostate issues. The term for this inflammation is prostatitis and it is sub divided into three types, acute infectious prostatitis, chronic infectious prostatitis, and noninfectious prostatitis. Acute infectious prostatitis is usually caused by bacteria which may result in urinary difficulties, pain, fever, burning sensations, and sometimes pus or blood in the urine. Chronic infectious prostatitis is also caused by bacteria and may result in any of the above symptoms or be nothing more than a recurring bladder infection. Noninfectious prostatitis, on the other hand, is not due to infection and the cause is not always known. All forms of prostatitis should be treated and addressed as this can lead to more serious complications including impotence, difficulty urinating, or worse.

Usually at this point someone will ask what they can do to protect their prostate. The good news is that there are many things men can do to be proactive about their prostate health. The simplest steps with the biggest impact on your overall health are eating healthy, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of clean water. Having your prostate checked regularly is another great tool on the road to prevention. Also, adding foods rich in vitamins (especially B-vitamins) and minerals is a must. Zinc is as helpful with an enlarged prostate as it is with prostatitis. This is because a zinc deficiency can result in prostate enlargement. Taking certain herbs have been shown to produce beneficial effects on the prostate and so has taking VÄXA Prostatin. Prostatin contains a blend of homeopathy, herbs and nutrients shown to be very beneficial in maintaining prostate health no matter what your age or current condition. Prostatin can be taken proactively or it may complement your physician's recommended protocol as it is safe to take with other medications and supplements. Prostatin is even featured in the Prescription for Nutritional Healing, America's #1 Guide to Natural Health.

What You Should Know about Your Thyroid GlandAnother area which seems to be the subject of many conversations relates to the health of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is an endocrine gland located in your neck that is responsible for controlling the rate at which your body burns energy, creating proteins, and maintaining your body's sensitivity to other hormones - all of which are clearly important to your body's function and overall health. As one of the largest glands in the endocrine system, the thyroid controls and regulates metabolic function by releasing varying amounts of the thyroid hormones known as thyroxine (or T4) and triiodothyronine (or T3). These hormones ultimately influence every organ, tissue and cell in the body, as well as dictate how quickly the body burns calories and utilizes energy. The thyroid also acts as a store house for iodine holding close to 25% of the body's iodine reserves.

Thyroid conditions affect millions of people and can interfere with every part of a person's life. When the thyroid is out of balance, all functions can begin to work improperly. By producing too little thyroid hormone (TH), it can leave a person feeling fatigued, weak, experience mood imbalances, dry skin, and even gain weight easily. If the thyroid produces too much TH, the person can feel over stimulated experiencing palpitations, nervousness, sleeplessness, hair loss, and extreme weight loss. Even minor fluctuations can cause complications such as constipation, dry skin, stiffness, tremors, excessive sweating, increased appetite, etc. If left alone, an unbalanced, unsupported thyroid can lead to further complications and more severe issues. The key for the thyroid is to produce enough, not too much and not too little, of both T3 and T4.

Keeping your thyroid healthy and functioning properly is of the utmost importance. Thankfully, VÄXA Thyroid Formula, a doctor-created blend, has been on the market for over 15 years and provides assistance for a wide variety of thyroid conditions. The ingredients in this homeopathic formula naturally support the body's ability to maintain a healthy thyroid gland and assist with normal thyroid function.

The bottom line is simple for both the prostate gland and the thyroid gland. When you give the body what it needs from a nutritional and medicinal standpoint, the body can function at its optimal levels.

Written By: Daniel Giddens, Director of Education, CHS

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.