Zinc and Prostate Cancer risk

July 9, 2003

....

" The high concentration of zinc in the prostate suggests that zinc may play

a role in prostate health, " write F. Leitzmann, MD, from the

National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, land, and colleagues.

" Whether dietary zinc intake affects intraprostatic zinc levels is unknown.

However, ingestion of 150 mg/day or more of zinc has undesirable metabolic

effects, such as immune dysfunction and impaired antioxidant defense that

are potentially related to prostate cancer. "

....

Although supplemental zinc up to 100 mg/day was not associated with prostate

cancer risk, men who consumed more than 100 mg/day of supplemental zinc had

more than double the risk of advanced prostate cancer compared with nonusers

(relative risk, 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 - 4.95; P = .003

for trend). In men who used zinc supplements for at least 10 years, relative

risk was 2.37 (95% CI, 1.42 - 3.95; P <.001 for trend).

....

----------------------------------------------------------

This study did not determine whether high zinc absorption or competitively

inhibited copper absorption were problemmatic.

High zinc intakes are sometimes used as supplemental, not primary, treatment

for the several genetic copper storage diseases.

Those using zinc for that purpose don't know whether they are increasing

their risk.

All the rest of us can easily keep our intake below 100 mg.

I wonder whether those with impaired kidney function and reduced capacity to

excrete zinc require some lower limit.

Bob Cruder

, CO

“It's hard to believe Bush would intentionally deceive the American people

about a nuclear threat in order to promote a war. So the question remains:

Did the president know he was dealing in disinformation, and if so, why

didn't he tell us?” By Schorr

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.491 / Virus Database: 290 - Release Date: 6/18/2003

Recommended Posts