Most men consider prostate issues something that only affects older men. Although age does play a part, imbalances that influence prostate health begin much earlier in life. (2) These imbalances can be caused through lifestyle factors and poor dietary habits.

According to Ayurveda, prostate issues arise from dosha disturbances in the shukra dhatu (reproductive tissues) and due to accumulation of ama (toxic waste) in the vicinity of the prostate gland. (9)

There are three primary life forces known as the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) that are responsible for all physical and psychological function within the body. If these doshas go out of balance in the shukra dhatu (reproductive tissues) they can cause problems with the prostate. (7)

In Ayurveda the body is composed of seven tissue (dhatus). (7)

The dhatus (tissues) are built from digested nutrients. Their metabolic waste products are removed via urine and faeces. Each dhatu (tissue) is formed by the preceding dhatu, so this means that any issues in any one dhatu can affect the other dhatus that follow. Shukra dhatu (reproductive tissue) is the seventh and the last dhatu so reflects the overall health of the entire body. (7)

Good digestion is vital for healthy dhatus (tissues) to be created and to prevent the formation and accumulation of ama. Ama is a sticky, toxic waste product that can clog the channels (strotas) and create imbalance in the doshas. Ama is formed through incomplete digestion or from digestive disorders resulting from weak agni (digestive fire). When agni (digestive fire) is strong food is digested and absorbed providing nourishment for all the cells and dhatus. (7)

Due to its location in the body, the prostate is vulnerable to ama and environmental toxins (pesticides, chemicals, electromagnetic radiation) that have accumulated in the urinary system and the colon. (9) This is why it is important not to suppress natural urges to urinate or defecate, to ensure regular bowel motions and to stay hydrated with water to flush wastes out in urine. (7)

Factors that imbalance Vata: (9)

• Unmanaged stress or emotions as vata governs the nervous system
• Lack of regular routine, eating cold, dry or raw foods, lack of fluid intake
• Staying up late at night
• Exposure to electromagnetic fields, microwave or radiation
• Overuse of the sexual organs
• Suppressing natural urges such as urinating or ejaculating

Vata also increases with age. 50 onwards is considered the vata stage of life. As vata’s qualities are dryness, movement and irregularity can also cause digestion to become irregular and contribute to the formation of ama. The prostate is also in the part of the body governed by apana vata (downward moving vata) so anything that aggravates apana vata can prevent the flow of energy and nutrients to the prostate and also the removal of wastes from the area. (9)

Factors that imbalance Pitta: (9)

• Infections
• Excess consumption of alcohol, spicy foods, salt or sour foods
• Anger or frustration associated with reproductive acts

Factors that imbalance Kapha: (9)

• A sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of exercise
• Excess sleep
• High fat diet
• Stagnation of creative energies

In shukra dhatu, pitta and vata imbalances contribute towards prostitis, aggravated vata and kapha play a role in benign prostatic hypertrophy, while all three doshas have an impact in prostate cancer. (9)

Once one dosha in the shukra dhatu becomes imbalanced and is not corrected, then the other two doshas will gradually accumulate leading to tridoshic imbalance which becomes harder to resolve. (9)

From an Ayurveda perspective, the disease process of cancer occurs at the subtle cellular level. Each cell is a centre of awareness, a conscious microscopic life. There is a flow of communication from one cell to another, and every cell has cellular integrity and governs its own metabolic activity. If the cell membranes become clogged with ama or other environmental toxins, cell communication breaks down. Cells can become isolated, grow independently and attack neighbouring cells converting these to cancerous cells. (9)