Zinc Deficiency and Prostate Cancer

by Greg Newson 0 Comments

In a population study involving 525 men under 80 years of age diagnosed with prostate cancer of which 42% died of prostate cancer and another 49% died of other causes. The study found that the higher the dietary intake of zinc the greater association there was with a reduced risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality by 64%. No association was found between zinc intake and mortality from other causes. The authors conclude that ”high intake of zinc is associated with lower prostate cancer-specific mortality after diagnosis, particularly in men with localised disease.” [1]

Greg’s Comments: Zinc concentrates in the prostate and is essential for male reproductive health and physiology. Unfortunately, zinc deficiency is common due to a diet low in zinc-rich foods, alcohol, drugs, dysbiosis, digestive disorders and soils deficient in zinc. In Australia is it estimated that 67% of men are zinc deficient. [2]

Reference: “Dietary zinc and prostate cancer survival in a Swedish cohort,” Epstein MM, Kasperzyk JL, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2011 March; 93(3): 586-93. (Address: Departments of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. E-mail: mameyer@hsph.harvard.edu).

Greg Newson

Author

Greg Newson is a qualified Naturopath, Western Medicine Herbalist, Nutritionist, Remedial Massage Therapist and Professional Health & Wellbeing Speaker. Greg has a passion for helping people and has been treating patients in clinical practice since 2002.

Greg is the owner of the Vitality and Wellness Centre, Lismore NSW Australia, a busy Naturopathic Clinic that cares for people suffering with any type of health complaint. He is dedicated in educating people to understand and embrace the enormous potential that natural medicine has on our long-term health and well-being. Greg is able to help people improve their health and offers in-clinic, phone and Skype health consultations as well as Guest Speaking on natural medicine and heath related topics.

Greg Newson's Qualifications: Advance Diploma Human Health Science 2001 (Charles Sturt University), Advance Diploma Remedial Massage 2002 (Health Schools Australia), Advance Diploma Western Herbal Medicine 2003 (Health Schools Australia), Bachelor Health Science 2005 (Charles Sturt University), Advance Diploma Naturopathy 2008 (Health Schools Australia), Advance Diploma Functional Nutrition 2008 (Health Schools Australia).

Greg is a member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)