Zinc is one of the most common minerals found in the human body. It is not stored in the body, so it must be continuously replaced through food or supplementation. It has been used to help treat the common cold and speed up wound healing, but might also help reduce swelling of the prostate. If you have prostate inflammation, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis, and talk with your physician before using zinc to treat your condition.
Step 1
Take a zinc supplement. The recommended daily allowance of zinc for an adult male is 11 mg. For therapeutic uses, doses as high as 30 to 60 mg may be used. This supplement should be taken with water or juice. If you experience an upset stomach from the supplement, take it with meals or a snack.
Step 2
Incorporate foods high in zinc into your diet. Red meat, oysters, fish, chicken, cheese, shrimp, legumes, mushrooms, green beans and sunflower seeds all are high in zinc. Keep in mind that zinc from meat sources is generally more easily absorbed than zinc from plant sources.
Step 3
Take a copper supplement if you are taking a zinc supplement or multivitamin containing zinc. Long-term use of zinc can cause a copper deficiency.
Tips and Warnings
- There are several forms of zinc. Zinc sulfate is the least expensive, but is not absorbed as easily as some other forms and might cause an upset stomach. The University of Maryland suggests using other forms, including zinc citrate or zinc picolinate.
- Talk with your doctor before using zinc to treat your prostate problems. If your prostate is swollen or inflamed, have your physician examine you to find the underlying cause of the problem. Too much zinc can be bad for your health and can cause problems such as reproductive or urinary system dysfunction, some prostate cancers and immune deficiencies.
