what is chronic prostatitis
Mark Swain Chronic Prostatitis

What is Chronic Prostatitis?

Chronic Prostatitis is inflammation (swelling) of the prostate gland. It can be very painful and distressing. The prostate gland is a small gland that lies between the penis and the bladder. It produces fluid that’s mixed with sperm to create semen.

The disease is essentially an infection, inflammation or disease of the prostate. Harmful bacteria or microbes have entered the urethra and found a comfortable home in the prostate. These bacteria can enter the body through sexual intercourse or contamination. For instance, by urinating in dirty sea or river water. You could even contract it by touching a surface contaminated with germs and then touching the end of your penis. Basically, anything that causes germs and bacteria to enter the male urethra can start Chronic Prostatitis. 

Chronic Prostatitis is the end result of a series of inflammatory reactions in the prostate gland that in turn affect the entire genitourinary system. 

Despite what many Doctors and publications say, there is only one type of Chronic Prostatitis and that is caused by bacteria.

The bottom line is whether it is called Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS), Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis, Chronic Prostatitis, Acute Prostatitis or anything else, there is only one version. 

“Despite what many Doctors and publications say, there is only one type of Chronic Prostatitis and that is caused by bacteria

I know this because I suffered the symptoms of all of these medical names that are banded around. It was all eventually traced back to bacteria in my prostate causing inflammation.

Chronic Prostatitis is nearly always caused through bacteria in the urinary tract entering the prostate. The urinary tract includes the bladder, kidneys, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder (ureters), and the urethra.

The inflammatory reactions of Chronic Prostatitis are caused by a variety of germs including coliforms, enterococci, staphylococci, and the proteus. In addition, other microorganisms including chlamydia, urea plasma and mycoplasma cause the disease.

Mark Swain Nutrition 2

Chronic Prostatitis Nutritional Guidelines

It took me a long time to discover ways to control the symptoms of Chronic Prostatitis. I’m sharing what I have learned with you here so you can at least try to reduce any pain or inflammation you have. If you are anything like me you would do anything to subdue all the horrible symptoms you have from this disease.

Diet 

It is critical to avoid sugars, spicy foods and alcohol which any microbes in your body absolutely thrive on. They have a comfortable protected place to live in your prostate, do not make them more comfortable and give them the ability to multiply by feeding them the things they like.

If you are suffering from Chronic Prostatitis or the symptoms, I highly recommend you start this diet with immediate effect. It will not cure you, but the symptoms will subside and you will feel better than you currently do. I enclose them to help you here.

NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR CHRONIC PROSTATITIS SUFFERERS

FRUIT & JUICE

Drink plenty of water.

You can eat fresh fruit but avoid the very sweet ones and their juices. Specifically preferred are green apples, pineapples, kiwi fruit, mangos, plums, cranberries, berries and bilberries, pomegranate and lemon.

Strictly avoid:  Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, packaged fruit juices that contain sugar, bananas, strawberries, cherries and dried fruit.

CHEESE & DAIRY

You should prefer low fat milk and Greek yoghurt with probiotics. Also prefer cheeses that are low in fat and salt (e.g. mizithra cheese, anthotyro, cottage cheese, milner and katiki domokou.

Avoid: Whole milk and yoghurt, hard white or yellow cheeses, soft yellow cheeses that are high in fat. Butter and creams.

SPICY FOOD & SPICES

Strictly avoid: Hot spices and very spicy food. Avoid chili and spicy peppers. You may instead use a bit of cayenne pepper.

You should avoid very salty foods, salted meat or fish, pickles and salted dry nuts. 

VEGETABLES

Prefer salads with fresh or boiled vegetables. You may have zucchini, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes (roasted or boiled), spinach, lettuce, cabbage, parsley, dill, onions, leeks, artichokes, green beans, okra, tomatoes and cucumber. 

Prefer virgin olive oil. Tumeric, cloves, various herbs (e.g. oregano, rosemary, basil), lemon and vinegar.

FISH

Prefer to eat fish along with vegetables (e.g. carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, okra, greens, zucchini).

Avoid: Salty and salted fish

MEAT & POULTRY

You may eat red meat, chicken and eggs.

Avoid: Smoked meat and fish as well as canned and cured meats. Avoid low quality seed-derived oils, fried potatoes and chips.

In addition, avoid packaged foods and snacks even if they do not contain much sugar or fat. 

STARCH & PASTA

Prefer whole grain pasta and bread as well as wild rice. 

Avoid: White bread, white flour, white rice, packaged pureed foods and ready-made packaged soups. 

DESSERTS 

You may have cake and other (unsalted) desserts made with brown flour, fruit or fruit juice, stevia and olive oil.  

Strictly avoid: Sugar and patisserie sweets. You should avoid biscuits, pastries, crackers and bakery products that contain sugar. 

In addition, avoid chocolate milk and packaged sweets found in stores.

LEGUMES & SOUPS 

You may have legumes (e.g. beans, lentils, chickpeas). Prefer homemade soups with vegetables, pulses, rice etc. 

In addition, you may have unsalted dry nuts such as walnuts, almonds and cashews. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points in your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall health, wellness and stress management.

I talk in detail in the book ‘How to cure Chronic Prostatitis and get your Life Back’  about my journey with acupuncture. What I can say with confidence is it definitely helped me control the symptoms of Chronic Prostatitis.

I know not all Chronic Prostatitis sufferers don’t have the time and money immediately available to begin a thorough prostate treatment program. Alongside your diet, consider weekly acupuncture treatment combined with daily Chinese herbs from a qualified acupuncturist to manage the symptoms.