Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, a walnut- sized gland located at the top of the penis. The prostate gland produces the portion of seminal fluid that carries sperm out of the body during ejaculation. People with prostatitis may experience pain or burning when urinating. Zinc supplements alone or in combination with certain antibiotic may help relieve your symptoms of prostatitis. Get medical advice before taking zinc supplements for your prostatitis.
Zinc Levels and Prostatic Secretion
The prostatic secretion of healthy men contains zinc, which is involved in antibacterial activity and is also a key factor in the resistance of the male urinary tract infection. A study published in 1982 in “Clinical Journal of Andrology” investigated the prostatic fluid samples of 282 patients for their zinc concentration. Researchers found that the zinc levels are significantly reduced in people with prostatitis.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Chronic bacterial prostatitis, a chronic infection of the prostate gland is characterized by recurrent urinary tract infection and may present with a variety of voiding symptoms and pelvic pain. Effective treatment may be difficult and may require a prolonged antibiotic therapy, according to a study published in 1999 in “The American Journal of Medicine.” However, another study published in a 2004 issue of the Chinese journal "Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue" found that supplementation with organic zinc after routine antibiotic treatment may reduce symptoms such as painful and frequent urination in people with chronic bacterial prostatitis. The study concluded that biological organic zinc is effective for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Recommended Daily Intake and Dosage
The recommended daily allowance for zinc is 11 mg for men, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. A summer 2005 research report by Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute states that efficacy of zinc supplements in preventing prostate cancer is still controversial. Although several studies have shown that the increased dietary zinc levels may decrease the risk of prostate cancer, a recent study showed that high dosage of zinc – more than 100 mg per day -- or long-term use of zinc supplements could increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Side Effects
Zinc at a dosage of 40 mg per day is likely safe for most adults, according to National Institutes of Health online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus. Doses larger than 40 mg per day may cause mild side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fever, coughing, stomach pain and fatigue. Taking 450 mg or more of zinc daily may affect iron levels in the blood. Speak with your doctor to find the right dose of zinc for your prostatitis.
References
- “Clinical Journal of Andrology”; The Response of Seven Prostatic Fluid Components to Prostatic Disease; J. Kavanagh et al.; October 1982
- “The American Journal of Medicine”; Prostatitis and Urinary Tract Infection in Men: What's New; What's True?; B. Lipsky; March 1999
- "Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue"; Clinical Study of Zinc for the Treatment of Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis; C. Deng et al.; May 2004
- "Linus Pauling Institute Spring/Summer Research Report”; Zinc and Prostate Cancer; Emily Ho; May 2005
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements; Zinc; April 18, 2011
- Medline Plus: Zinc
