The risk is greater for men as they get older - by the age of 70, virtually all men will have had some kind of prostate problems. The risk is also greater for African-Americans, and men whose father or other relative suffered from it. In many cases prostate disease can mean kidney failure, a weak bladder or difficulty urinating, and often these symptoms are the first signs that anything is wrong.

In recent years, more and more men have been taking supplements, vitamins and herbs to help prevent prostate cancer – around 50% of men take them on a regular basis. Around a third of those men take several different supplements to help prevent diseases of the prostate.

The effectiveness of some supplements has yet to be determined fully and research continues into the use of many herbs, vitamins and supplements. Apart from taking one of the best prostate health supplements available, most doctors agree that a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet are also effective.

The risk of getting prostate cancer is significantly lower with a low fat diet – fruit, vegetables, and grains. Experts recommend five or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day. In general, the more saturated fats and red meat a person eats, the greater the chances of getting prostate cancer.

Antioxidants, which are found in many foods, especially fruit and vegetables, help to prevent damage to the body’s cells. Antioxidants known as lycopenes are especially effective in lowering the risk of prostate cancer. These can be found in such foods as tomatoes, spinach, blueberries and grapefruit.

By far the most common supplements taken are vitamins such as A B C D and E, followed by fruit and seed extracts and various minerals. Most supplements taken for prostate health can actually be found in natural foods, all of which are readily available. Multivitamins work just as well, too.

Vitamin E is especially effective – the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found that men who take it are around 30% less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 40% less likely to die from the disease. Vitamin E works by preventing latent prostate cancers from spreading to other parts of the body and potentially becoming fatal.

If you are taking supplements – or intend to – always check with your doctor. It’s important to realize that supplements are intended to help prevent prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate by improving overall health; they are not meant to be a cure for prostate diseases. 

Various other supplements and minerals have also been proven to be effective to some degree in preventing prostate cancer; these include such diverse things as shiitake mushrooms, shark cartilage and melatonin.

Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, a carbohydrate that has beneficial effects on the body’s immune system. Melatonin is secreted by the brain’s pineal gland and performs several important functions: it controls our body’s “internal clock” and melatonin has also been found to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Soy is also effective in preventing prostate diseases. Soy contains an isoflavone called genistein which tends to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. And when soy is digested, it releases a molecule known as equol which attacks the male hormones that stimulates prostate growth. And if that isn’t a good enough reason - soy supposedly helps prevent baldness in men, too.

Another supplement which purportedly helps prevent prostate cancer is selenium. Doctors recommend a total intake of around 200 milligrams per day, with a maximum recommended daily intake of 400 milligrams a day. Selenium helps by boosting the body’s antioxidant capacity and strengthening cells that may eventually cause cancer, although too much can cause digestive problems and hair loss.

Two of the most common ingredients in prostate supplements are the herbs pygeum and saw palmetto. Saw palmetto helps to lower estrogen levels and is effective in preventing an enlarged prostate. Pygeum, which is found in tree bark, is often used to help treat prostatic hypertrophy and prostates.

And you may not like the taste of it, but green tea is also an effective supplement for the prevention of prostate disease. In fact, green tea has been cited as the main reason why Asian men have lower rates of prostate cancer than American men. It isn’t uncommon for Chinese people to consume between 10 and 20 cups of green tea every day.

Pills containing green tea extract are readily available and just as effective as drinking the real thing. Green tea is so effective in the fight against prostate diseases because it contains several different types of green tea catechins which act as antioxidants.

Perhaps the most effective supplement in treating prostate diseases is zinc, which helps to prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells. Doctors recommend a daily intake of between 50 to 100 milligrams of zinc. Zinc can be taken in supplements; it is also found in such foods as yeast, pumpkin seeds and shellfish, particularly oysters. On the other hand, too much zinc can actually help cause prostate cancer.

Supplements alone cannot prevent or cure prostate cancer or other diseases of the prostate. But there is an increasing amount of medical evidence suggesting that supplements, vitamins and minerals can make a real difference. It’s a fact that most men simply can’t afford to overlook.