Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 8/16/2006

Question
Thank you for your help.

I'm grateful.

I'm 40, and very fit, and have been blessed with good health, outside of chronic prostatis since my late 20's. Not the typical urinary issues, but instead, discomfort, ummm...below the belt, and on again-off again internal infections.

Usually 2-4 weeks of antibiotics have done the trick, but just 6 months ago, that stopped working.

What is the best approach with detoxification/cleansing (never done it before) and herbs and other ideas to cure this condition for good without wrecking my immune system with antibiotics and other disappointing medical recommendations?

Have a great day,

Mike

Answer
Mike,
Thanks for your question and interest.  
Cleansing can be effective for many conditions, as well as good for overall health.  Detoxification really only takes place in the liver; but you need to support other body systems also for an effective detox program.  I'd recommend for the first time doing a detox that you try a "One-Box" Whole Body Clenasing system, which will have a fiber supplement, liver supportive supplements/herbs, and GI cleaning supplements/herbs, along with diet guidelines to follow (typically an organic whole foods diet high in fiber like fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and water, and low in sugar, caffeine, and animal fats).  To that I'd add a multivitamin or antioxidant formula and an essential fatty acid like flax or fish oil to prevent the side effects of a detoxification.  Exercise, saunas, massage, and colonics can all be done during a detox and will make it more effective, also.   
For prostate health, zinc and essential fatty acids are important, and there are a number of anti-inflammatory supplements that are useful in chronic prostatitis (like Zyflammend by New Chapter).  If there is a lingering infection, you should be tested for all STDs to rule those out.  I'd also make sure you and your partner are not passing an infection back and forth, in which case you both need to be treated for an infection.  If neither of these is the case, an herbal immune booster (like a Reishi mushroom combination, echinacea, or astragalus) often helps fight the infection.  For anyone who has had recurrent antibiotics, I'd suggest a probiotic like lactobacillus acidophilus or bifidus, also.  
For more specific recommendations, I'd suggest you locate a naturopathic doctor (www.naturopathic.org) or other natural health specialist in your area, to help you through this process.
Good luck!
Dr Conner