Frequent trips to the bathroom at night, a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, or the feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied can become more common as men get older. One possible cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly called an enlarged prostate. Although it is usually not cancer, the symptoms can significantly affect sleep and everyday life.
Olive oil is a nutritious source of monounsaturated fats and can be a healthy replacement for butter and other saturated fats. It also contains antioxidant compounds that make extra-virgin olive oil a valuable part of a balanced eating pattern.
However, drinking a tablespoon of olive oil cannot shrink an enlarged prostate or eliminate prostate inflammation within 12 hours. Prostate symptoms have different causes, and persistent urinary problems should be properly evaluated rather than treated with a homemade remedy.
A simple way to include extra-virgin olive oil in your routine is through a Mediterranean-style dressing.
You will need 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, a small pinch of black pepper, and a little dried oregano or parsley.
Add everything to a small bowl or jar and mix thoroughly. Use the dressing over a fresh vegetable salad, cooked vegetables, beans, or whole grains. Using olive oil with food is generally more practical than drinking it straight from a spoon.
A healthy diet for prostate and overall men’s health can include plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fish, and healthy sources of fat such as olive oil. Keeping highly processed foods, excessive added sugars, and large amounts of saturated fat lower can also contribute to a healthier eating pattern.
Men experiencing urinary symptoms should also pay attention to how often they urinate, whether they wake repeatedly during the night, whether the urine stream has become weaker, and whether they have difficulty starting or stopping urination. These symptoms can occur with an enlarged prostate, but they can also have other causes.
It is particularly important to seek medical attention if there is blood in the urine, inability to urinate, severe lower abdominal pain, fever or chills accompanied by urinary symptoms, or a sudden significant change in urination.
An enlarged prostate should not automatically be assumed to be prostate cancer, but men should discuss persistent urinary changes with a healthcare professional. Depending on age, symptoms, medical history, and risk factors, a clinician can determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.
Extra-virgin olive oil can absolutely be part of a nutritious daily diet, but there is no evidence that one tablespoon can “wipe out” prostate inflammation in 12 hours or turn an enlarged prostate into a normal one overnight. The better approach is to use olive oil as part of a balanced diet while getting persistent urinary symptoms properly evaluated.
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