The prostate gland is an important part of the male
reproductive system. The prostate gland’s primary function is to produce a
fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen. Testosterone plays a crucial role in
the development and growth of the prostate gland during puberty. The prostate
gland can be susceptible to various conditions and diseases. Some common issues
include Prostate Cancer (Pca), Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), and
Prostatitis (Inflammation of the prostate gland).
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):
BPH refers to the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate
gland. As men age, the prostate gland can gradually grow larger, leading to
compression of the urethra leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such
as frequent urination, weak urine flow, difficulty starting and stopping
urination, urgency, and weak urine stream. Hormonal imbalances associated with
aging and inflammation-induced oxidative stress in the prostate gland
contribute to the progression of BPH, making LUTS more common in older men (10).
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone derived from
testosterone, and it plays a significant role in the growth and development of
the prostate gland. However, excessive levels of DHT can contribute to the
enlargement of the prostate gland (11).
DHT is formed when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts
testosterone into its more potent form, DHT. In normal circumstances, the
balance between testosterone and DHT is maintained. However, as men age, there
is an increase in the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, leading to
higher levels of DHT. This excess DHT can cause the prostate gland to enlarge (11).
Therefore reducing the levels of DHT is one of the
strategies used in the management of BPH. DHT blockers, such as medications or
natural supplements, work by interfering with the conversion of testosterone to
DHT or by arresting DHT from binding to androgen receptors.
There is evidence suggesting that estrogens may play a role
in the development of BPH. As men age, their androgen levels decrease, while
the conversion of androgen to estrogen increases. Additionally, an age-related
increase in body weight and adipose cells leads to higher expression of
aromatase, the enzyme responsible for estrogen conversion. The excess estrogens
stimulate the growth of prostate tissue, leading to the occurrence of BPH (12).
Our Formulation
Unived’s Prostate Health is formulated to target DHT to
inhibit excess DHT production or block its activity. They inhibit the
5α-Reductase enzyme to stop the conversion of testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It aims to alleviate urinary symptoms and improve
overall prostate health. Along with DHT blockers, it also contains ingredients
like lycopene and soy isoflavones, which are known for their beneficial effects
on prostate health. By incorporating these ingredients, our products aim to
provide comprehensive support and management for conditions related to the
prostate, such as BPH and UTI.
Role of each ingredient:
Beta-sitosterol: Beta-sitosterol has been found to inhibit
the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for
converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It has been studied to
reduce BPH symptoms (1, 2).
Pumpkin Seed Extract: Pumpkin seed extract contains
phytosterols, including delta-7-sterols, which have been found to effectively
inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which in turn reduces DHT levels. In
studies, the extract has been seen to reduce LUTS due to its antiandrogenic
activity. It reduces the progression of BPH which ultimately reduces LUTS
symptoms (3, 4).
Zinc: Zinc has been shown to inhibit the activity of the
enzyme 5-alpha reductase. The concentration of zinc is more in the prostate
gland but it declines with age and in the case of BPH. Zinc also has aromatase
enzyme inhibition activity. Therefore it helps restrict the conversion of
androgens into estrogens (5).
Cranberry Extract – Cranberry extract is been evaluated in
reducing LUTS. It may help to relieve the lower urinary tract symptoms
typically associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), improve
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and reduces the prostate-specific
antigen (PSA). It helps to reduce recurrent UTIs in elderly men suffering from
BPH (6, 7).
Soy Isoflavones - Due to their phytoestrogenic properties
isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, can bind to estrogen receptors in
the prostate and exert weak estrogen-like effects. They have been studied for
their potential to modulate estrogenic activity and inhibit the activity of
aromatase which may help to reduce the conversion of androgens to estrogens in
the prostate gland. Additionally, soy isoflavones possess anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant & 5-alpha reductase inhibition properties, which may further
contribute to their potential benefits in managing BPH symptoms (8).
Lycopene – It has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
properties. Studies speculate that lycopene helps to manage BPH by antioxidant
activity, inhibition of cell cycle progression, induction of apoptosis, &
increasing gap-junctional cell communication (9).
References:
1. Berges, R. R., Kassen, A., & Senge, T. (2000).
Treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia with β‐sitosterol: an
18‐month follow‐up. BJU international, 85(7), 842-846.
2. Klippel, K. F., Hiltl, D. M., Schipp, B., & German
BPH‐Phyto study group‡. (1997). A multicentric, placebo‐controlled,
double‐blind clinical trial of β‐sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of
benign prostatic hyperplasia. British Journal of Urology, 80(3), 427-432.
3. Leibbrand, M., Siefer, S., Schön, C.,
Perrinjaquet-Moccetti, T., Kompek, A., Csernich, A., ... & Kreuter, M. H.
(2019). Effects of an oil-free hydroethanolic pumpkin seed extract on symptom
frequency and severity in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a pilot study
in humans. Journal of medicinal food, 22(6), 551-559.
4. Vahlensieck, W., Theurer, C., Pfitzer, E., Patz, B.,
Banik, N., & Engelmann, U. (2015). Effects of pumpkin seed in men with
lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in the
one-year, randomized, placebo-controlled GRANU study. Urologia internationalis,
94(3), 286-295.
5. Sauer, A. K., Vela, H., Vela, G., Stark, P.,
Barrera-Juarez, E., & Grabrucker, A. M. (2020). Zinc deficiency in men over
50 and its implications in prostate disorders. Frontiers in Oncology, 1293.
6. Vidlar, A., Student, V., Vostalova, J., Fromentin, E.,
Roller, M., Simanek, V., & Student, V. (2016). Cranberry fruit powder
(Flowens™) improves lower urinary tract symptoms in men: a double-blind,
randomized, placebo-controlled study. World journal of urology, 34, 419-424.
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7. Ledda, A., Belcaro, G., Dugall, M., Feragalli, B., Riva,
A., Togni, S., & Giacomelli, L. (2016). Supplementation with high titer
cranberry extract (Anthocran®) for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract
infections in elderly men suffering from moderate prostatic hyperplasia: a
pilot study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 20(24), 5205-5209.
8. Gaynor, M. L. (2003). Isoflavones and the prevention and
treatment of prostate disease: is there a role?. Cleveland Clinic Journal of
Medicine, 70(3), 203-4.) (Wong, W. C., Wong, E. L., Li, H., You, J. H., Ho, S.,
Woo, J., & Hui, E. (2012). Isoflavones in treating watchful waiting benign
prostate hyperplasia: a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. The
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(1), 54-60.
9. Sadeghi, A., Saedisomeolia, A., Jalili-Baleh, L., Khoobi,
M., Soleimani, M., Fakhr Yasseri, A. M., ... & Nowroozi, M. R. (2022).
FruHis significantly increases the anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia effect of
lycopene: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial. Frontiers in
Nutrition, 9, 1011836.
10. Liu, L. C., Lin, Y. H., Lin, Y. C., Ho, C. T., Hung, C.
M., Way, T. D., & Bau, D. T. (2018). Banana Flower Extract Suppresses
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating the Inflammatory Response and
Inducing G1 Cell-cycle Arrest. In vivo (Athens, Greece), 32(6), 1373–1379.
11. Kinter, K. J., & Anekar, A. A. (2022). Biochemistry,
dihydrotestosterone. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
12. Eleazu, C., Eleazu, K., & Kalu, W. (2017).
Management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: could dietary polyphenols be an
alternative to existing therapies?. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 234.
