8 Benefits of Turmeric For Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system consists of a number of organs that contribute to the human reproductive system.

The vital function of this system is the production and development of the sperm or male reproductive cells.

The different organs of this system and their associated functions are as follows:

• Penis: Delivery of sperms to the female reproductive tract
• Testis: Production of sperm cells
• Epididymis: Long tube-like structures that store the sperm cells
• Vas deferens: Transports mature sperms to the urethra
• Seminal vesicles: Glands that contribute to seminal fluid
• Prostate gland: Gland located below the bladder that provides nourishing fluid to the sperm
• Cowper’s gland: Another pair of glands that are involved in the production of semen

Disorders of the male reproductive system can be a result of damage or malfunctioning of any of the above-mentioned organs.

Male infertility and prostate cancer are perhaps the most common disorders that affect the male reproductive system.

Some of these disorders are treatable while some can have serious consequences.

Properties of Turmeric that help in male reproductive system disorders

Turmeric is a spice common to India and other Asian countries.

Coming from the ginger family, this spice consists of a golden yellow rhizome from which the yellow powder and oil are extracted.

Blessed with a number of medicinal herbs, this spice is perhaps the hottest topic in the field of research.

Curcumin, its active ingredient, is said to be responsible for its medicinal properties.

Here are a few pharmacological properties of turmeric that could be of relevance to the treatment of male reproductive system disorders:

• Anti-inflammatory: Useful in pain and swelling of male reproductive organs
• Anti-oxidant: Can ameliorate oxidative damage in male reproductive organs occurring due to toxicity
• Anti-microbial: Can guard against infections
• Anti-cancer: Can help in treating testicular and prostate cancer

8 Benefits Of Turmeric For Male Reproductive System

Research suggests that turmeric and its bioactive element can help in treating the following disorders linked with the male reproductive system.

1. Turmeric maybe therapeutic in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. This gland contributes to the development of semen.

It generally occurs at an older age but can spread to bones and other parts of the body.

Curcumin acts at molecular levels to inhibit growth of the tumor, destroy cancerous cells and prevent the spread of cancer. Variety of compounds has been derived from curcumin that inhibit the growth of human prostate cancer cells.

Curcumin nanoparticles also exhibit superior anti-cancer activity in prostate cancer.

Curcumin potentiates the effect of bicalutamide, a drug used in treating prostate cancer.

Docetaxel is the first line of treatment for surgery resistant prostate cancer. Curcumin is proven to increase the sensitivity of such cancerous cells to docetaxel.

What does this mean?  

Scientific evidence strongly backs the idea of utilizing curcumin in treatment of prostate cancer.

2. It helps reduce inflammation in Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland. Sometimes the cause could be a bacterial infection.

It is characterized by pain in the genitals and lower back and discomfort while urinating.

Curcumin in combination with other herbal extracts was tested for its effect of bacterial prostatitis.

Group A received antibiotics and herbal extracts while Group B received only antibiotics.

90% of the patients receiving the duo showed improvement while only 27% of the patients in group B recovered completely within one month. Within 6 months of treatment, no patient from Group A had a recurrence of prostatitis.

Animal study proves that curcumin is effective in treating non-bacterial prostatitis. In this study, curcumin reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory agents such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukin and in turn controlled inflammation.

What does this mean?

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial property can help treat and prevent recurrence of prostatitis.

3. It reduces symptoms associated with Benign prostate enlargement

Prostate enlargement or benign prostate hyperplasia is increased in size of the prostate gland. It affects almost all older men.

It increases the risk of developing cancer.

Meriva, a special formulation of curcumin designed to increase its absorption in the body, is helpful in treating symptoms of benign prostate enlargement without causing side effects.

24 weeks of treatment with Meriva improved quality of life and reduced episodes of urinary infections in patients.

What does this mean?  

Meriva, the popular formulation of curcumin, has a therapeutic effect on symptoms of enlarged prostate. This indicates turmeric taken as such can also be of help in this case.

4. It may help in Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction or impotence is a sexual malfunction affecting millions of males. It is a result of psychological and physical causes.

Heart diseases, diabetes, use of tobacco and enlarged prostate gland are few of the causes.

Animal studies prove that a novel water-soluble derivative of curcumin is better than Viagra and Cialis (Sildenafil & Tadanafil) in treating erectile dysfunction.

What does this mean?  

Among the various herbs suggested for treating erectile dysfunction, curcumin- the active ingredient of turmeric shows promising results.

5. It destroys Testicular Cancer cells

Testicular cancer can affect either one or both of the testis and generally affects younger men.

It has the highest cure rate among other types of cancer.

Curcumin’s therapeutic value in relation to testicular cancer has been researched upon.

An experimental study proves that curcumin can destroy cancerous cells and prevent their proliferation by inhibiting the activity of AP-2γ. AP-2γ is a type of protein that is involved in cell survival and proliferation and is a marker of testicular cancer.

Bleomycin is a drug generally used in the treatment of testicular cancer.

It causes oxidative stress (imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant agents in the body) which leads to cancerous cell death.

Concurrent use of curcumin and bleomycin is proven to cause cancer cell death by increasing the activity of enzyme caspase (actively involved in apoptosis or cell death).

Also using curcumin can help in lowering the dose of bleomycin which in turn reduces side effects.

However, this effect is probably dose dependent as another study by the same researchers proves that curcumin inhibits the anti-tumor activity of bleomycin and the dose used here is different from that used in the study previously.

Nevertheless, curcumin is said to benefit in cancer by manipulating several biochemical pathways.

What does this mean?  

Curcumin can aid in treating testicular cancer individually or in conjunction with chemotherapeutic drug.

6. It can help in Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion is a condition in which the cord from which testicles are suspended rotate and cut off the blood supply to the testicle.

Curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity ameliorates the damage caused by reduced blood flow occurring due to torsion.

It increases the level of antioxidant enzyme and supports spermatogenesis.

What does this mean?  

Curcumin can protect the testis from damage caused by torsion and loss of blood supply.

7. It fights infection in Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhea is a condition characterized by inflammatory discharge from the urethra caused by bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

This infection is associated with the risk of bladder cancer.

Research proves that vitamin D and curcumin combination can prove to be effective anti-microbial agents that act against drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae.

Curcumin alone is also effective in treating the infection.

It inhibits N.gonorrhoeae induced nuclear factor –kappaB activation (a group of proteins that control the inflammatory process).

What does this mean?  

Curcumin alone or in combination with Vitamin D serves as a potent anti-microbial agent that can destroy drug resistant bacteria that cause gonorrhoea.

8. Turmeric can protect from Toxicity induced male infertility

Exposure to environmental toxins, smoking, and the presence of other disorders or use of medications can cause male infertility.

Streptozotocin, an anti-diabetic drug is said to cause testicular damage due to oxidative stress and curcumin ameliorates this damage by employing its antioxidant nature.

Curcumin protects against drug induced testicular toxicity caused by drugs such as chloroquine, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, metronidazole, aflatoxin, etc.

It also plays a protective role against toxicity induced by environmental toxins such as cadmium, chromium, insecticides and plastic derivatives.

Nicotine (Tobacco smoking) and chronic alcohol administration is proven to cause infertility and curcumin has a therapeutic effect on them.

What does this mean?  

Curcumin can prevent male infertility caused by toxicity and support production of sperms by ameliorating the damage.

Note: Turmeric’s Antifertility effect

Surprisingly few studies suggest that turmeric has an anti-fertility or anti-spermatogenetic effect suggesting that it could be developed into a novel non-hormonal contraceptive.

However, one research study proves that turmeric’s anti-fertility effect is reversible- upon withdrawing consumption of aqueous extract of turmeric the male fertility parameters are restored to normal.

Whether this effect is dose dependent or caused by compounds other than curcumin is not known. And these results are obtained from animal studies. Also, they are focused on direct exposure of sperm cells to curcumin.

More research in this aspect is required to clarify the issue. No study in humans has shown that turmeric affects sperm quality or causes infertility when taken orally. So you can safely consume turmeric.

Dosage

The best way of using turmeric is to include it in your diet. You can make the Golden Paste and add a dollop of it to your salad, soup or rice preparation. Turmeric Milk on a daily basis should help.

You can browse the website for a couple of more recipes with turmeric.  Check this link for a list of good brands of turmeric powder and supplements.

Precautions

Turmeric as a spice is safe. But when it comes to supplements you should consult a doctor before taking it for the appropriate dose and to avoid undesirable interactions and allergies.

Avoid turmeric supplements in case of pregnancy and lactation.

Discontinue turmeric supplements 15 days prior to surgery as it has blood thinning activity and might affect surgical outcome.

If suffering from gallbladder problems or gastrointestinal disorders avoid turmeric.

Turmeric can have drug interactions with blood thinning medications, medicines that reduce stomach acidity and anti-diabetic medication.

Research Studies

Conclusion

Turmeric benefits the male reproductive system by serving to be therapeutic in case of many disorders. Its anti-inflammatory action, anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties benefit in various disorders.

Turmeric if taken in combination with conventional treatment will definitely prove to be advantageous.