Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by both healthy and cancerous cells within the prostate gland. Measuring this protein in the blood is a common screening tool for men to assess prostate health. An elevated PSA reading often causes anxiety, but a high number does not automatically mean prostate cancer is present. Non-cancerous conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or inflammation, can also cause levels to rise. Because many factors can temporarily skew the test result, any elevated reading requires professional consultation before drawing conclusions.
Temporary Factors That Inflate PSA Readings
The quickest way to “lower” a PSA reading is to ensure the number reflects your actual baseline, not a temporary spike caused by recent activity. Certain physical actions cause the prostate to release more protein into the bloodstream, leading to a falsely elevated result. To obtain the most accurate measurement, avoid ejaculation for at least 48 hours prior to the blood draw. Ejaculation can temporarily increase the PSA score by up to 0.8 ng/ml, potentially pushing a borderline result into a concerning range.
Vigorous physical activity, particularly cycling or heavy weightlifting, should also be avoided for about 48 hours before the test. These activities place temporary pressure on the prostate, causing a transient rise in PSA levels.
Any recent manipulation of the prostate gland can cause a significant, temporary spike. Procedures such as a prostate biopsy cause inflammation and require a waiting period of at least six weeks before a reliable retest. Even a recent digital rectal exam (DRE) or cystoscopy can potentially influence the result, though their effect is minimal.
Prostate infections (prostatitis) or a urinary tract infection (UTI) also cause rapid elevation due to inflammation. If an infection is suspected, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotics and recommend a retest only after the infection has fully cleared, often waiting four to six weeks. Treating the underlying inflammation is the only way to quickly reduce the PSA value in these situations.
Lifestyle and Nutritional Changes for PSA Management
Sustained management of the PSA baseline relies on long-term lifestyle and nutritional adjustments that support prostate health. Modifying your diet to include specific compounds can help manage inflammation, a major contributor to non-cancerous PSA elevation. A diet rich in plant-based whole foods is associated with decreased odds of elevated PSA levels.
Consuming cooked tomatoes, especially with olive oil, introduces lycopene, a potent antioxidant. Cooking makes lycopene more bioavailable, and studies suggest this nutrient supports prostate cell health. Incorporating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts is also beneficial due to their high content of compounds that help regulate cellular processes.
Balancing dietary fat intake plays a strong role in long-term prostate management. Reducing saturated fats found in red meat and dairy, and improving the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, can help decrease systemic inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish like salmon and sardines, may reduce pro-inflammatory signals.
The catechins found in green tea, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), accumulate in prostate tissue. These compounds support cell health and may reduce serum PSA levels over time.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is also a significant factor, as obesity and metabolic syndrome are linked to increased prostate volume and chronic inflammation, contributing to a higher baseline PSA.
Regular, moderate exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming, is beneficial for overall health and prostate wellness. This contrasts with the temporary PSA spikes seen after vigorous exercise. These sustained changes improve the physiological environment of the prostate, leading to a gradual reduction in the PSA baseline over many months.
Understanding When Medical Intervention Is Necessary
While temporary measures and lifestyle changes can influence PSA, the number is only a marker, and attempting to suppress it without addressing the root cause can be dangerous. A persistently high or rising PSA level warrants further diagnostic investigation to rule out significant disease. Doctors look beyond the single number by examining PSA kinetics, specifically PSA velocity and PSA density.
PSA velocity measures the rate of change in the value over time, typically requiring at least three measurements over 18 to 24 months. A rapid increase, such as a rise of 0.75 ng/mL or more per year (in men with a PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL), is often considered suspicious. PSA density relates the PSA value to the size of the prostate, which is measured via imaging like an ultrasound. A high PSA density, generally above 0.15 ng/mL/cc, may suggest a higher risk of cancer relative to the gland’s size.
If these risk markers remain high or if symptoms like difficulty urinating are present, further procedures like advanced imaging or a prostate biopsy may be required. Some prescription medications, such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) used to treat BPH, will lower the PSA level by approximately 50 percent. A physician must monitor this effect closely because the drug-induced suppression can potentially mask a serious underlying prostate cancer, delaying diagnosis.