I was reading an article on BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) from Nigeria of all places. This is very appropriate, as a good friend of mine is currently dealing with this issue. I haven't decided to take him as a client just yet, as I'm not sure he's willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes to get control over this condition.

It's been said that every man, if he lives long enough, will suffer not only BPH, but also develop prostate cancer. I used to subscribe to this philosophy, but have come to realize the need for a modifier in the sentence. Not every man, but every man living the "good life" of western culture will eventually wind up with the condition, and most likely the disease.

I reference the Nigerian article because it comes from an emerging country. BPH is another "disease of civilization" to me, a fact beginning to be recognized in countries that are learning to embrace western culture-- and deal with bad along with the reported good. The following lifestyle choices are well known to increase the general populations trending towards elevated cases of prostate problems:

1. Low fiber, highly processed foods as the staples of diet. Would you like fries with that? Follow the progression of fast-food franchises around the globe and you'll see a trail of illnesses follow close behind.

2. Increased serum cholesterol levels. Too much bad fat and not enough good. Poor digestion, increases stress levels... the causes go on and on.

3. Avoid beer. Sacrilege! Beer, as any aficionado will attest, is a diuretic, putting increased stress on the gland. It indirectly causes increased numbers of prostatic cells.

4. Excessive stress. Even the NIH has studied the effect of stress on the prostate. I can't emphasize enough the toll chronic stress has on the body as a whole.

So here's a quiz for the audience. How many men over the age of 40 can you name who have all three of these increased risk factors for BPH? I tried and came up with "all of them".

Sure, Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is great for BPH. Studies have shown it to be just as effective (if not more so) at treating the symptoms of BPH as the leading pharmaceutical. Other plants, like Nettles (Urtica dioica) and Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) can be helpful as well. BUT... you have to remove the bad habits that lie at the root of the problem or you will not be successful in your treatment. You can't help being 45, but you don't have to eat, drink and live that way any longer, do you? It's obviously bad for your health...