Herbs commonly recommended for prostatitis include Pygeum, which is the bark of the African prune tree, Stinging Nettle, and Goldenseal. There are also a few anecdotal success stories involving the use of Cranberry Juice, and the flavonoid Quercetin. However, while adequate amounts of bioflavonoids (0 - 25 micromol/L) provide many health benefits, large amounts of quercetin (50 - 250 micromol/L) recommended by some advocates for Prostatitis, have been found to induce cytotoxicity and DNA damage in a number of rat studies.
Antibacterial remedies that have proven successful in the treatment of other inflammatory conditions may be a consideration for Prostatitis sufferers who have not had much luck with any other alternative remedies.
They include the regular intake of a higher dose of fresh or freeze-dried Garlic, Turmeric, Sulforaphane capsules, Mastic gum, and any of a number of Probiotic-type (friendly bacteria) supplements consisting of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidus.
Sulforaphane was originally studied for its cancer-inhibiting properties, but was subsequently also found to be effective in the treatment of H. Pylori, a bacteria responsible for causing stomach ulcers, heart, gum and skin diseases, migraine headaches, asthma, and cancer. Broccoli sprouts contain anywhere from 30x to 50x the amount of sulforaphane compared to the mature plants, with supplements being available from a low of 150 mcg to over 2,000 mcg / cap.
The herb Saw Palmetto, or Phytosterols are routinely recommended for the symptomatic treatment of an Enlarged Prostate (BPH). While some practitioners recommend these for Prostatitis also, none of the patients I have treated for Prostatitis and who had tried either saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, or other sterols and sterolins, had found them to be helpful for that condition.
Since saw palmetto possesses alpha-5-reductase inhibitory activity (either inhibiting the conversion of testos - terone to dihydrotestosterone, or blocking some effects of testosterone), its use has also been recommended in the treatment of male-pattern hair loss.
Dietary considerations include the avoidance of foods high in zinc (shellfish, herring, organ meats, wheat - germ, soybeans, and some seeds and nuts), which for some men may be difficult to follow, so supplementing zinc antagonists (see below), may be a more convenient approach. There are some claims that alcohol, cola drinks, coffee, and chocolate have an adverse effect on Prostatitis as well.
While zinc is pro-inflammatory, Copper is anti-inflammatory and also a zinc antagonist, so for some of those suffering from Prostatitis, a higher intake of copper-rich foods, or short-term copper supplementation can be helpful. Unfortunately, a considerable percentage of the population suffers from copper overload, which would therefore prohibit additional copper intake for most Prostatitis patients.
Due to the paired association of Potassium andZinc, high potassium-containing foods or beverages should also be avoided because of the pro-inflammatory effect of high potassium intake on the bladder, which often has a negative effect on the prostate as well. For instance, chronic and acute bladder infections (cystitis) necessitate a potassium-lowering approach, which - with some exceptions (structural bladder problems after surgery, or prolapse) - will resolve most chronic inflammatory bladder problems, while interstitial cystitis (IC) requires a potassium-raising approach.B-Complex has a zinc and potassium-raising effect, so higher amounts should not be supplemented.
However as mentioned above, this only applies to Prostatitis but not BPH, which may actually benefit from an increase of B-Complex vitamins, including potassium. (for details, see "Zinc / Potassium," and "B-Complex").
In contrast to testicular cancer, which presents with very high cellular zinc levels (left side) or very high cellular potassium levels (right side), Prostate Cancer is seen with both, excessive and deficient zinc levels, in addition to elevated phosphate levels, so maintaining a normal phosphorus and zinc status is important from a preventive aspect.
It is interesting to note that prostate cancer is also more prevalent with below-normal free testosterone levels (more common), and above-normal free testosterone levels (less common), which necessitates a similar preventive approach of trying to maintain normal testosterone levels throughout one's lifetime, in addition to following general guidelines of inhibiting the aromatase enzyme to reduce estradiol.
