The prostate, which is approximately the size of a walnut, forms part of the male reproductive system and is important to make sperm and the fluid that contains sperm called semen. Prostatitis is a swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, which can be caused by a number of factors including a bacterial infection. Zinc is an essential mineral important for many different tasks in the body, including immune function, blood clotting and reproductive health. Studies have shown that zinc may also be beneficial for prostatitis; however, you should always consult a doctor before taking a zinc supplement.
Zinc
The best food sources of zinc include red meat, poultry, fish, cheese, shellfish, pinto beans, mushrooms and green beans. Of the zinc supplements available, the most common forms are zinc citrate, zinc picolinate, zinc glycerate and zinc monomethionine. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include poor wound healing, lack of menstrual periods, acne, hair loss, depression, white spots on your nails and lack of smell or taste. According to the University of Maryland, zinc deficiency is very common in the elderly.
Prostatitis
There are two kinds of prostatitis: acute and chronic. Prostatitis may come on slowly or suddenly and may go away on its own without any treatment. Chronic prostatitis, however, can last for months and keeps recurring. Typical symptoms of prostatitis include inability to get an erection, lower back pain, frequent urination, pain in the penis and painful urination.
Zinc and Prostatitis
In a study published in a 2004 issue of the Chinese journal, "Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue," researchers studied the effects of zinc on 61 men suffering with chronic bacterial prostatitis. The men were divided into two groups: 39 men were given zinc supplements after routine antibiotic treatment, while 22 men were given routine antibiotic treatment only. The team found that the group of men who took the zinc supplements reported markedly reduced symptoms such as painful and frequent urination compared with the non-zinc group. The authors therefore concluded that zinc is an effective treatment for prostatitis. If you suffer with prostatitis you should consult a health care professional before taking any zinc supplements.
Considerations
According to the University of Maryland, zinc should be taken with juice or water. However, if taking zinc without food causes you a stomach upset it can be taken with meals. Too much zinc can cause a deficiency in copper levels, so long-term zinc intake should be accompanied by copper. Typical side effects of zinc include a metallic taste in your mouth, nausea, stomach upset and vomiting. Excessive doses of zinc may deplete the immune system and cause loss of muscle coordination, anemia, dizziness and increased sweating. High doses of zinc may also lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as HDL or "good" cholesterol, and raise low density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as LDL or "bad" cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol have been associated with heart disease.
