Lifestyle changes to prevent BPH: heart healthy = prostate healthy

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most prevalent conditions found in men, and increases with age. Drug, surgical, and phytotherapy tend to dominate the medical literature when discussing potential treatments for this condition. These treatments have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness for the various degrees of BPH. However, the potential for lifestyle changes to actually prevent this disease or reduce the severity of this condition when used as an adjunct to conventional treatment is not only intriguing but is strongly supported by past limited studies. More research is needed, but the time is ripe to discuss with patients the potential lifestyle changes that could influence risk. Obesity, a lack of physical activity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, a heart unhealthy diet, and other factors may significantly increase the risk of BPH. Patients should be told that factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease seem to be associated with an increased risk of BPH or a greater severity of BPH.