Common conditions associated with the prostate include benign enlargement of the prostate, or BPH, the inflammation of the prostate and prostate cancer. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, BPH affects more than 50 percent of men older than 60, and prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. Minerals such as zinc, selenium, cooper, calcium and magnesium may improve the function of the prostate.
Zinc
This essential mineral is found in higher concentration in the prostate than in most other tissues. Zinc plays an important role in reducing the activity of 5 alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT plays a key role in prostate growth, so zinc has the ability to decrease the size of an enlarged prostate. According to a preliminary study presented at the 2010 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research conducted by Mara S. Meyer and colleagues, men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer have a higher survival rate if they have an adequate amount of zinc in the diet. Based on this study, which involved more than 500 patients with prostate cancer, the research showed that the subjects with high zinc intake were 74 percent less likely to die from prostate cancer, compared with those subjects who had lower consumption of zinc.
Selenium
Selenium is an essential mineral with antioxidant properties that helps protect prostate cells from toxin damage. Therefore, individuals suffering from inflammation or infections of the prostate may benefit from supplementation with selenium. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, clinical studies indicate that death from lung, colorectal and prostate cancers is lower in individuals with higher blood levels or intake of selenium. Selenium may also prevent or slow tumor development by improving the immune system and by inhibiting the growth of blood vessels of the tumor.
Other Minerals
Copper and zinc work closely and have to be in balance for optimal health. Supplementation with zinc requires the intake of copper to be increased to avoid copper deficiency. Dr. James Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," recommends selenium, zinc and copper as essential minerals for individuals with enlarged prostate. He also suggests that supplementation with calcium and magnesium may be beneficial because the minerals can help improve the prostate function.
References
- Med Page Today: AACR: Zinc Linked to Prostate Cancer Survival
- National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements: Selenium
- Harvard Medical School-Family Health Guide: Selenium and Prostate Cancer
- "Prescription For Nutritional Healing"; James Balch, MD and Phillis Balch, CNC; 2002
- "Diet, Inflammation and Prostate Cancer Survival in the Orebro Prostate Cancer Survivors Cohort"; American Association for Cancer Research; Meyer M., et al; 2010
