Prostate cancer affects the gland that sits at the base of the bladder and is responsible for producing the liquid component of semen. Despite being the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men, it can often be treated successfully, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Treatment commonly involves surgery to remove the cancerous tissue and hormone therapy. Certain nutrients, including zinc, might play a role in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer, although evidence to prove this is limited. Talk to your doctor before taking zinc supplements for prostate cancer.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays an important role in several biological processes, including bone formation and cellular signaling. It also might be effective in the treatment of a number of conditions, including the common cold, infertility and rheumatoid arthritis. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center also notes that it might play a role in prostate cancer prevention.
Sources and Administration
A variety of foods contain zinc, including milk, Swiss cheese, pork, cashew nuts and oysters. It also is available as a dietary supplement in pill form. Guidance regarding the dose required to help prevent prostate cancer is lacking, although your doctor might be able to guide you. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that the upper tolerable level is 40 mg daily in men over 19.
Effectiveness
The results of a study published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2009 show that taking 15 mg of zinc daily for 10 years reduces the risk of advanced prostate cancer; however, the study authors note that zinc did not reduce the risk of prostate cancer overall. Research findings published in the March 2011 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" also show that a high dietary intake of zinc reduced prostate cancer mortality.
Considerations
Taking excessive quantities of zinc might cause zinc toxicity, symptoms of which include abdominal pain, headaches and diarrhea. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that taking 150 mg to 450 mg of zinc daily has been linked to reduced immune function. Keep in mind that zinc supplements might interact with other medicines you might be taking, including certain antibiotics and diuretic drugs.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Prostate Cancer
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Zinc
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Zinc
- "Nutrition and Cancer"; Zinc Intake from Supplements and Diet and Prostate Cancer; A, Gonzalez, et al.; 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Dietary Zinc and Prostate Cancer Survival in a Swedish Cohort; M.M. Epstein, et al.; March 2011
