How to Reduce Prostate Enlargement Naturally

There are medications available that can help to reduce the size of your prostate if it’s enlarged, which may be evident if you have a frequent urge to urinate, a weak urine stream that starts and stops, or difficulty emptying your bladder.[1] However, if you want to try natural remedies with your doctor’s permission first, then there are several strategies you can use to reduce the size of your prostate. Start by altering your diet since this seems to have the biggest impact on prostate health. Then, make some simple lifestyle changes to boost the effects of your modified diet. You might also consider herbal remedies, but make sure to check with your doctor first since some of these remedies can interact with prescription medications.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Adjusting Your Diet

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    Eat more fruits and vegetables. Following a diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables may help to reduce the size of your prostate. Eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors, such as red, green, purple, yellow, and orange.[2]
    • Tomatoes may be especially beneficial for reducing the size of your prostate since they contain high levels of lycopene, so make sure to include 1 to 2 servings of fresh or canned tomatoes every day.
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    Opt for whole-grain bread, pasta, rice, and cereal. These foods will help to keep you feeling full longer and they are also better for your prostate than refined carbohydrates. Have a serving of whole grain with every meal, such as whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, or oatmeal.[3]
    • Avoid white rice, pasta, bread, and cereals as these are more likely to increase your risk of developing an enlarged prostate.[4]
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    Limit your intake of red meat. Studies have shown that a high intake of animal protein, such as from red meat, eggs, and dairy can increase your risk of an enlarged prostate. Try to limit these foods to 1 or 2 servings per week and get your protein from plant and fish sources instead. Some good alternatives include:[5]
    • Salmon
    • Beans
    • Nuts and seeds
    • Tofu[6]
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    Include healthy fats in moderation. Eating lots of fat may also increase the size of your prostate, so it’s best to limit your intake of fat, especially saturated fats. Opt for unsaturated fats instead, such as olive oil, nut butters, and avocado and enjoy these only in moderation, such as 2 to 3 servings per day.[7]
    • For example, instead of having butter on toast, spread 1 tablespoon (15 g) of ripe avocado or nut butter on it.
    • Instead of cooking with lard or butter, use an equal amount of olive oil.
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    Cut back on sugary beverages and sweets. Consuming lots of sugar may contribute to an enlarged prostate, so skip the sugary sodas, juices, candy, and other sweets whenever possible. Try making these things occasional treats, such as 1 to 2 times per week.[8]

    Tip: When you’re craving something sweet, try having a piece of fruit, such as an apple, an orange, or a handful of grapes.

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    Reduce your sodium intake. A diet high in sodium also increases your risk of an enlarged prostate, so you might consider switching to a low-sodium diet. Stock with whole foods to reduce your sodium intake naturally. Avoid canned, frozen, and other packaged foods as much as possible and avoid adding salt to your food.[9]
    • Try flavoring your meals with lemon juice, vinegar, and fresh herbs instead of using salt.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

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    Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Getting regular physical activity reduces your chances of developing an enlarged prostate. Even going for a walk once per day can make a big difference in your overall physical health and provide some protective benefits against an enlarged prostate. However, if there’s another form of exercise that you enjoy more, then do this instead.[10]
    • If you can’t find the time to exercise for a full 30 minutes, try breaking up your exercise sessions into 10 or 15-minute chunks. Do two 15-minute workouts or three 10-minute workouts to get a full 30 minutes of exercise in each day.
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    Relax for 15 minutes or more each day. Being stressed may contribute to issues with your prostate and it’s also bad for your general health. Set aside at least 15 minutes every day to relax. Do something you enjoy, such as engaging with a favorite hobby, or use a relaxation technique, such as:[11]
    • Yoga, which uses your body to get into poses that challenge your muscles, while also stretching them and relaxing you.
    • Meditation, which is when you concentrate on clearing your mind and focus on the sensations of your body.
    • Progressive muscle relaxation, which is when you tense and release each muscle group in your body in sequence.
    • Deep breathing, which is when you take a deep breath in, hold it for a few seconds, and then release it.
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    Drink alcohol in moderation if you drink at all. Consuming lots of alcoholic beverages each day may contribute to an enlarged prostate. You may notice fewer symptoms of an enlarged prostate by not drinking altogether. However, if this is not an option, try cutting back to no more than 2 drinks per day. This is considered moderate drinking for men.[12]
    • One alcoholic beverage is 12 fluid ounces (350 ml) of beer, 5 fluid ounces (150 ml) of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces (44 ml) of spirits.
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    Cut back on caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it makes you have to go to the bathroom more often than usual. If you drink caffeine, you might notice the effects of an enlarged prostate more than someone who doesn’t drink caffeine. Try to limit your intake of caffeinated beverages to no more than 1 to 2 cups of coffee or tea per day.[13]
    • Try switching to green tea if you still want caffeine since it contains some properties that can help reduce the size of your prostate.

    Tip: If you want to cut out caffeine entirely, try switching to decaf versions of your favorite drinks, such as decaf coffee and tea.

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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Trying Herbal Remedies

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    Take saw palmetto. The results of studies are mixed for saw palmetto’s effects on enlarged prostates. Some studies have found that taking saw palmetto dramatically reduces the size of an enlarged prostate, while others have shown little to no improvement. Ask your doctor for dose recommendations if you’re considering trying saw palmetto to reduce the size of your prostate.[14]
    • A common therapeutic dose of saw palmetto is 320 mg per day.[15]
    • You can purchase saw palmetto capsules in the supplement section of a grocery store, in specialty supplement stores, or online.
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    Try pygeum africanum. This supplement has been marketed for reducing prostate size in several European countries for over 3 decades. It has anti-inflammatory properties, inhibits cellular growth, and inactivates androgen receptors. Pygeum africanum is well-tolerated by most people, but some people experience gastrointestinal distress and headaches while taking it.[16]
    • A common dose of pygeum africanum is 100 mg daily.
    • You can purchase pygeum africanum capsules in specialty supplement stores or online.
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    Look into rye grass pollen extract. The most frequently used formulation of this supplement is known as cernilton. After taking the medication daily for 3 years, participants in one study saw a significant reduction in their prostate size.[17] [18]
    • The recommended dose of rye grass pollen ranges from 375 mg to 1,500 mg daily.
    • You can purchase rye grass pollen capsules in specialty supplement stores or online.
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    Try beta-sitosterol supplements. Beta-sitosterols are cholesterol-like fats in plants that may be able to reduce the size of the prostate. Saw palmetto contains beta-sitosterol, which may be what makes it work for some people. Ask your doctor about including a beta-sistoserol supplement to help reduce the size of your prostate.[19]
    • You can purchase beta-sistoserol capsules in specialty supplement stores or online.

    Warning: Keep in mind that this treatment has not been studied over a long period of time, so the potential long-term side effects are unknown.

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    Drink a cup of nettle tea once daily. Nettle has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, so it might help reduce the size of an enlarged prostate. Try drinking a cup of nettle tea once per day and see if this helps to reduce the size of your prostate over the course of a few months.[20]
    • You can purchase nettle tea online and in many grocery stores.
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    Have a cup of green tea once per day. The active ingredient in green tea that may help to reduce prostate size is called EGCG. By sipping 1 cup of green tea daily, you may notice a reduction in the size of your prostate over time.[21]
    • Try swapping your usual morning cup of coffee for a cup of green tea.
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    Take a daily zinc supplement, but don’t exceed 100 mg. Getting the recommended daily allowance of zinc had been shown to help reduce prostate size, so you may benefit from taking a daily multivitamin that contains zinc or taking a zinc supplement on its own. However, do not take more than 100 mg of zinc daily as this can increase your risk of prostate cancer.[22]
    • Long-term use of zinc can reduce the copper stores in your body and negatively affect your neurological system.
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Warnings

  • Make sure to tell your doctor about any over the counter medications or supplements you take. Some supplements can interact with prescription medications.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20370087
  2. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-prevention
  3. ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/nutrition-and-prostate-cancer
  4. ↑ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3af2/cba5d0c864e798333b719f0dcb9d49611894.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/nutrition-and-prostate-cancer
  6. ↑ https://www.pcf.org/patient-resources/living-prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-diet/
  7. ↑ https://www.pcf.org/patient-resources/living-prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-diet/
  8. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/10-diet-and-exercise-tips-for-prostate-health
  9. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/10-diet-and-exercise-tips-for-prostate-health
  1. ↑ https://buschcenter.com/5-exercise-tips-for-a-healthy-prostate/
  2. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/4-tips-for-coping-with-an-enlarged-prostate
  3. ↑ https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/diet
  4. ↑ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3af2/cba5d0c864e798333b719f0dcb9d49611894.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3798925/
  6. ↑ https://www.canjurol.com/html/free-articles/JUV22I5S1F_08_DrLowe.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.canjurol.com/html/free-articles/JUV22I5S1F_08_DrLowe.pdf
  8. ↑ https://www.canjurol.com/html/free-articles/JUV22I5S1F_08_DrLowe.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10792162
  10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10796740
  11. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17509841
  12. ↑ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3af2/cba5d0c864e798333b719f0dcb9d49611894.pdf
  13. ↑ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3af2/cba5d0c864e798333b719f0dcb9d49611894.pdf
  14. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/4-tips-for-coping-with-an-enlarged-prostate

About This Article

Lisa Bryant, ND
Co-authored by:
Lisa Bryant, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Physician
This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014. This article has been viewed 44,138 times.
39 votes - 95%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: February 11, 2022
Views: 44,138
Categories: Men's Health

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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