As a male 55 or older, your doctor may suggest it’s high time you get a PSA test, especially if you have a family history of prostate cancer.
If this is your first PSA screening and you have no idea what to expect, this may be worrying.
But, don’t let a simple PSA blood test overwhelm you.
There are a lot of men out there getting a PSA test just like you.
In fact, 39% of men from 55 to 69 years did a PSA test in 2018. That’s a pretty big chunk of the population.
If your PSA results came back relatively high and you are looking for natural ways to lower them, then you’ve come to the right place.
We compiled some practical information that anyone can find useful.
Of course, they can’t replace proper medical care. But, they can offer the kind of results you are looking for.
Keep reading to learn what PSA is, common causes for elevated PSA, and how to lower your PSA level.
Facts about PSA
Prostate specific antigen, or PSA for short, is a protein that the prostate gland produces. Most of the PSA is in semen, whereas a fraction can be released into the bloodstream.
The reason people check their PSA is to spot early signs of prostate cancer. When successful, a PSA test lessens the odds of dying for those who do have prostate cancer. It’s used as a method of reassurance when dealing with a serious condition such as this one.
Then again, it can make you worry when waiting for the results. That’s because a lot of people see high PSA as a cancer indicator. But that’s not always the case. There are many other causes of high PSA levels, which we discuss below.
Typical PSA levels
The PSA test measures the amount of PSA molecules in the blood. This protein can be created by non-cancerous and cancerous prostate tissue.
But, to know if your PSA is rising, you should look at the normal or baseline levels. Basically, the PSA skyrockets with age. That’s mainly due to age-induced prostate growth.
Take a look below at our chart of PSA levels by age, to give you an estimate of a normal PSA level for your age group.
| Age | Normal (baseline) PSA (in ng/mL) |
| 40 to 49 | 0 to 2.5 |
| 50 to 59 | 0 to 3.5 |
| 60 to 69 | 0 to 4.5 |
| 70 or over | 0 to 6.5 |
Although the screening test may show normal levels, it’s still important to do regular cancer screenings. When a person has a predisposition to prostate cancer, taking the right precautions can come a long way.
What causes elevated PSA levels?
Some potential causes of high PSA levels include:
- Prostate cancer – With a PSA value between 4.0 ng/ml and 10.0 ng/ml, there is a 22% to 27% likelihood of cancer. When the prostate numbers are over 10 ng/ml, then there is a 67% chance of cancer.
- Enlarged prostate – Benign prostatic hyperplasia can make ejaculation and urination tricky. Paired with the swelling, it is not uncommon for people to experience PSA elevation.
- Prostatitis – A bacterial infection can trigger this painful ailment. It makes the prostate tender, swollen, and inflamed. For many, particularly those with chronic prostatitis, that can cause a high PSA level.
- Irritation or urinary tract infection (UTI) – When something, like an infection, irritates the prostate, it can cause high PSA.
- Sexual activity – Any kind of prostate stimulation can lead to temporary increased PSA.
- Medicine – Products like dutasteride or finasteride can cause lower PSA levels, which can interfere with your cancer screening.
But, a PSA test won’t always be accurate. Roughly 3 in 4 men with elevated PSA don’t have cancer. Plus, a single PSA test result could miss roughly 15% of cancers.
So, even if your PSA value is pretty high, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. With that in mind, it’s possible for the body to have prostate cancer with a normal PSA level.
Because the odds of experiencing prostate cancer spikes alongside the PSA, there isn’t a threshold under which a patient can be reassured that their carcinoma isn’t there. To boost the accuracy of a PSA test, people book a digital rectal exam after the blood test.
They also hold off testing if they have a urinary tract infection. That’s because a recent UTI can trigger a high PSA level and prostate inflammation.
Another practical tip is to abstain from sex about 48 hours before doing a PSA test. Ejaculation or prostate stimulation may lead to elevated PSA.
6 ways to naturally lower PSA levels
To figure out how to lower PSA levels completely naturally, we compiled some scientific data that can come in handy.
Here is a quick look at these research-backed options that can benefit the prostate gland.
1) Diet
Before you do PSA testing, you should pay close attention to your diet. There are no reports that the diet could affect serum PSA. But, a healthy meal plan with plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals can give the prostate cells a kick in the right direction.
A diet packed with whole foods, such as healthy fats, veggies, fruits, and lean protein, could lessen the odds of getting cancer. Whereas alcohol, salt, refined carbs, and processed goodies can make you more susceptible to prostate cancer.
Even though your diet won’t cure cancer, a plant-based meal plan can lessen the risk and benefit treatment.
Plus, some options can benefit total PSA. They can make for a practical choice after a prostate cancer diagnosis. These include:
- Tomatoes
- Cruciferous vegetables
2) Exercise
Men who are physically active regularly have a somewhat lower risk of prostate carcinoma. The more vigorous the activity, the better the results. Particularly on reducing the odds of advanced prostate cancer.
However, experts recommend you abstain from exercise, like cycling, for a few days or a minimum of 24 hours before checking the PSA level. This applies to men with increased PSA levels (over 4 ng/ml). Particularly when they need to do a PSA follow-up.
3) Stress Reduction
Stress impacts the human system and serum prostate in a number of ways. With high stress, the PSA level spikes. So, find ways to relax and set your mind at ease before or after a prostate biopsy.
Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and regular physical activity can help. Ask your doctor if the screening is considered an unnecessary biopsy.
4) Supplements
Some supplements are more useful than others. Mainly when dealing with elevated PSA levels after prostate cancer screening. Of course, tackling prostate cancer cells comes down to proper medical treatment.
Depending on the state of cancer, doctors can suggest radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or surgery. Sometimes, however, active surveillance may be necessary, predominantly in those with a Gleason score of 6 following a prostate biopsy.
Adding supplements can help reduce the PSA level. But, be sure to consult with a specialist to know if you can use them. With that in mind, these supplements may prove useful for lowering the PSA level.
RELATED: How To Lower Your PSA Levels With Supplements.
5) Vitamin D
The more time you spend under sunlight, the better your vitamin D. This vitamin is also present in eggs and fish. But can be used as a supplement.
A deficiency in this vitamin is linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. Further studies indicate that those with high vitamin D levels have lower PSA levels. This vitamin can be the answer to your question on how to lower PSA levels.
6) Ben’s Total Health For The Prostate
Our natural prostate supplement, Ben’s Total Health, contains 21 ingredients specifically designed to lower your PSA levels, improve your urinary flow, reduce nighttime urination, shrink your prostate, and fight against prostate disease, without any side effects.
Clinical trials and meta-studies show the active ingredients in Total Health have a positive impact on prostate volume, improve lower urinary tract symptoms, and decrease the risk of acute urinary retention.
Why Choose Ben’s Natural Health
At Ben’s Natural Health, our motto is to combine holistic healing with modern science.
Ben’s Natural Health is the world’s first high-quality, all-natural, scientifically proven clinical supplement company. Above all, prostate health supplements are effective, natural, and 100% side-effect-free.
Moreover, at Ben’s Natural Health, we have four rules for all our supplements:
- We only use the highest quality ingredients.
- We only use them if independent, peer-reviewed double-blind studies prove they work.
- With all our supplements, we find a way to get every ingredient into a single bottle.
- We always formulate them in clinically significant doses of the most bioavailable form.
We pride ourselves on offering excellent customer service. We offer a free health consultation where you can ask questions and receive tailored advice from our expert health consultants.
Conclusion
Checking the PSA velocity can feel overwhelming. Especially if you are doing prostate cancer screening, but don’t feel discouraged if the PSA density is high.
Talk to your doctor after the prostate cancer screening and implement some changes. Regular physical activity, reducing stress, and eating healthy can help you stay on track.
If you decide to go for supplements, ask the doctor if the products will interfere with the cancer-related medicine or treatment you are taking.
