Prostatitis has many negative affects on the male reproductive system, especially when the inflammation lasts for a prolonged period of time or becomes chronic.  Prostatitis reduces sperm count and stamina during sexual intercourse.  Fluid may be continually secreted from the penis.  A long-lasting bought with prostatitis may also cause impotence.

Although antibiotics may be needed to clear a severe case of prostatitis, many mild and moderate cases of prostatitis can be treated using natural remedies.

There are several types of prostatitis, and depending on the particular diagnosis, several standard treatments are generally relied upon.  These treatments include antibiotics, alpha-blockers, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and surgery to open the blocked ducts in bacterial prostatitis.

Although standard medical treatment is almost always required in bacterial prostatitis, alternative treatments may be just as effective as standard treatments in mild and moderate cases of nonbacterial prostatitis.

Organic Fruits and Vegetables

The key to naturally treating prostatitis is eliminating inflammatory agents from one’s diet, while supplementing the diet with anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Some effective alternative treatments for nonbacterial prostatitis include:

• Eating whole, fresh, unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, soy, and cold-water fish (such as tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel).  Organic foods will reduce the exposure to pesticides and hormones.
• Avoiding dairy products, processed and refined foods, fried foods, caffeine and sugar.
• Eliminating foods that your body is overly sensitive to.  Although this varies from person to person, many people are sensitive to spicy foods (for example).
• Drink a lot of water to help keep your system flushed.  It is recommended that you drink 50 percent of your body weight in ounces of water daily.  (For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water each day).
• Use medicinal herbs with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.  For example, garlic, goldenseal and Echinacea will help to eliminate infection and reduce inflammation.

Supplements provide additional nutritional support.  Some supplements may be helpful in treating prostatitis, especially chronic and long-lasting infections.  Check with your doctor before using any of the following supplements:

• Bromelain – contains proteolytic enzymes which can heighten the effectiveness of antibiotics.
• Probiotics – if antibiotics are taken, probiotics replenish the good bacteria found in the intestinal tract.
• Quercetin – has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Selenium – is an anti-oxidant.
• Zinc – vital to prostate health, zinc also prevents infections.
• Flaxseed meal
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E