Today, men are more actively involved in health maintenance. This is evidenced by their increase interest in fitness, exercise and improved participation in childbirth and parenting. Hence, many are still often reluctant to ask for help when problems that has potential threats to their sexuality occur because they are more concerned of the amount of embarrassment it will cause them.

One disorder that is indeed common to men is BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia which is associated to the enlargement of the prostate gland due to aging. The prostate is the genital organ most commonly affected by benign and malignant neoplasm. Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells. BPH becomes a disorder when enlargement obstructs the urinary channel and causes changes in the urinary tract with associated manifestations. Almost 80 % of men are being affected by this disorder, by the age of 50 and about 50 % of men have some existing degree of BPH.

Prostate cancer on the other hand is the most common cancer among men and the cause of cancer death among men in the United States. The risk for development of prostate cancer is being triggered by existing BPH. This cancer in men increases with age, and the disease typically occurs at age 50 years and older (younger men tend to have more aggressive disease).

Here are five ways to avoid benign prostatic hyperplasia and development of prostate cancer.

1. Control you cholesterol levels.
According to the recent study of John Hopkins researchers, men with lower cholesterol (lower than 200) will have lesser chances of developing prostatic cancer for about 60%. Living a healthy lifestyle is always an advantage.

2. Exercise regularly.
Men doing vigorous and regular physical exercises had 65 % lower risk in having BPH and prostate cancer than to those who don’t.

3. Have a healthy diet.
Eating foods rich in omega-3 such as tuna reverse inherited prostate cancer genes. Increasing the amount of vegetables, legumes and citrus consumed may work to prevent or minimize BPH development. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided to minimize BPH symptoms. Both are diuretics, and can irritate the lining of the urinary system.

4. Maintain an ideal weight.
There is no connection between obesity and development of prostate cancer. Hence, obesity is alleged to affect hormone levels in the body (in cases of BPH) which may lead to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

5. Take folate supplements.
Folate plays role in reducing the risk of development of BPH and prostate cancer. Folate is a nutrient in vitamin B that helps to make read blood cells commonly found in green vegetables, beans, lentils, liver, whole grain breads, cereals, orange juice, and yeasts.

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