What Mineral Builds Up in the Prostate: Causes Of Prostate Problems

The prostate can accumulate a few minerals, either helpful or toxic. Zinc, calcium, and selenium are beneficial minerals the prostate needs for proper functioning. However, other minerals that can potentially harm the prostate need to flush out to keep it healthy. Lifestyle changes and daily habits all cause mineral buildup in the prostate.

The minerals that may build in the prostate include zinc, calcium, and phosphorus, which are primarily beneficial. However, they can cause prostate issues if they are in excessive amounts. Other toxic types, including cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and nickel, can all accumulate in this gland, and some can even be carcinogenic.

In this article, we’ll discuss more on the minerals that accumulate in the prostate and how to minimize them and reduce their impact on your prostate.

What minerals does the prostate need?

Minerals play a significant role in how the prostate functions. The various minerals found in the prostate, including zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron, all have roles to play. These minerals are the beneficial types that help regulate hormone levels, ensure proper enzyme functioning, and protect prostate cells from damage by free radicals.

These minerals aren’t usually toxic and can exist in small amounts inside the prostate. They exist in correct amounts from a natural self-regulation mechanism in the prostate but can accumulate drastically due to changes in lifestyle habits and food consumption patterns. It’s then when they become bothered and may need expulsion to cut down their amounts.

Minerals That Can Be Good for the Prostate

A vast array of food minerals don’t harm the prostate in tinier amounts. These minerals include calcium, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and iron, facilitating various prostate processes. Their roles are usually protective and supportive of the prostate, keeping it in perfect working condition.

When these minerals aren’t in their suitable amounts to render better support to the prostate, replenishing them should be challenging. Remember, no specific signs indicate that certain essential minerals are minimal in the prostate.

If so, your prostate will naturally draw them from the rest of your body. Nonetheless, taking clean drinking water rich in these minerals, using dietary supplements, and altering your diet can be ideal mineral suppliers.

The Toxic Minerals That Harm the Prostate

While some minerals can benefit the prostate in suitable amounts, some can compromise it. They may lead to prostate issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer, even in tiny amounts. The toxic minerals that can harm the prostate include the following:

• Cadmium
• Lead
• Mercury
• Arsenic
• Nickel

While these minerals’ presence in the prostate can cause mild issues like prostatitis and BHP, they can lead to more severe conditions, including prostate cancer.

Their presence in their prostate, however, can’t go without notice. Immediately they enter the prostate, they may cause disruptions in cell functioning and can lead to inflammation, a typical first sign. They can also cause pain that may even disrupt your activity. A medical diagnosis can, however, be enough to point them out.

How Minerals Accumulate in the Prostate

Minerals accumulate in the prostate from the food you eat to the drinks you take. Consuming hard water containing toxic or beneficial minerals lodges them in your body and may find their way into the prostate. But there’s more to how toxic and beneficial minerals may accumulate in your prostate, including the following:

Dietary intake – Minerals can find their way into the body through the foods you eat and then accumulate in the prostate gland. A perfect example is zinc-rich foods like pumpkin seeds which can be particularly helpful for maintaining prostate health.

Bloodstream – Minerals can also be transported through the bloodstream and accumulate in the prostate gland. For instance, magnesium gets into the blood and can be taken up by cells in the prostate gland. 

Secretions – Some minerals are secreted by the prostate gland itself. For example, the prostate gland produces prostatic fluid with high zinc levels. The body then uses this zinc for various functions, including supporting immune system health. 

Environmental exposure – In some cases, minerals can accumulate in the prostate gland due to exposure to environmental toxins or pollutants. For example, exposure to cadmium, a toxic metal found in cigarette smoke and some occupational settings, link to an escalated risk of prostate cancer.

These minerals have various other avenues to find their way into the prostate. While some can be beneficial, others are downright toxic and can lead to a slew of prostate issues.

What are the Ideal Mineral Amounts?

You may need no “ideal” mineral amount to maintain a healthy prostate. However, some specifications exist that medical practitioners may recommend maintaining. Although there’s no way to tell whether these seemingly “ideal” amounts are present in the body, you can speculate when they accumulate excessively. One way to do that is getting your blood tested for these minerals to determine their amounts in the prostate.

Recommended zinc intake in an adult male can be about 11 mg/day and 400-420 mg/day for magnesium. Your selenium intake shouldn’t exceed 55 mcg/day if you want to maintain a healthy prostate. However, taking excessive minerals beyond these values doesn’t determine a “healthy” or compromised prostate. It’s only that taking such amounts helps maintain your prostate better.

Symptoms of Mineral Buildup

While there’s no feasible way to determine your prostate mineral buildup, you can still judge by the symptoms you get when they build up excessively. Inflammation is usually the first sign of mineral buildup inside your prostate. However, you can still tell from other signs listed below:

Urinary problems – Mineral buildup in the prostate can cause urinary problems such as increased urgency to urinate, difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak urine flow, or frequent nighttime urination.

Pain and discomfort – Mineral buildup in the prostate may cause pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, lower back, or genitals.

Sexual dysfunction – In some cases, mineral buildup in the prostate may lead to sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction or decreased libido.

Inflammation – Mineral buildup in the prostate can lead to inflammation, which may cause pain, swelling, or redness in the affected area.

Please note that the symptoms above may indicate other prostate issues like BPH and prostatitis. Sometimes, they indicate prostate cancer, a more severe prostate condition that prompts quick medical action.

Natural Remedies to Reduce Mineral Buildup in the Prostate

If your healthcare provider verifies that your prostate may have mineral buildup, they may recommend doing a few things differently. No medical procedures are known to help flush out minerals from the prostate. However, natural remedies can help you reduce them quite effectively. Some suggestions your healthcare provider may offer include:

Herbal and dietary supplements – Certain herbal supplements, such as Kelp, saw palmetto, pygeum, and stinging nettle, may help reduce inflammation and promote prostate health. However, it’s always prudent to speak with a healthcare provider before taking herbal and dietary supplements, as they may interact with other medications or have potential side effects. You can also read here the benefits of Saw Palmetto for prostate.

Dietary changes – Eating a healthy and balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may help reduce mineral buildup in the prostate. Foods high in zinc, such as beef, oysters, and pumpkin seeds, may also be beneficial.

Exercise – Regular exercise may help reduce inflammation and promote prostate health. Physical activity such as jogging, walking, or cycling may be beneficial.

Stress reduction – Stress can contribute to inflammation and may exacerbate prostate problems. Stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, deep breathing exercises or meditation may be helpful.

If more toxic minerals accumulate, including lead and cadmium, removing them through surgery can prevent prostate cancer development. Laser surgery, and also transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and are typical surgical operations that can offer relief.

Conclusion

Dealing with minerals that accumulate in your prostate can be a maze. However, some minerals don’t need to concern you when they build up in your prostate. Toxic minerals can be incredibly concerning, and it helps minimize your predisposition.

Medical Discalimer: The information provided here On Geeks Health website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect a medical problem, promptly contact your healthcare provider. Reliance on any information in this response is solely at your own risk.