HERBS AND NUTRIENTS FOR A HAPPY PROSTATE: ZINC
Zinc: This mineral is essential for normal growth and reproduction, tissue repair, and wound healing. It is also an essential component of a number of enzymes in the body. But what role does it play in the prostate gland?
It has been well established that, compared to other organs, the prostate gland accumulates extremely high levels of zinc. It is also known that much higher levels of zinc, and magnesium, are found in BPH than in regular-sized prostate glands. Conversely, zinc levels are low in prostate cancer. However, despite considerable research over the past few years, the exact role of zinc in relation to the prostate gland has not been fully determined.
There have been numerous articles written in alternative magazines recommending the use of zinc in the therapy of BPH. Many of these were based on a 1993 study done with rodents. A group of rats was given an injection of 10 mg of zinc directly into their prostate gland, another group received 20 mg, while the third group received no zinc. Results showed significant reduction in prostate weight and activity of 5-alpha-reductase in the rats given the zinc. The higher dose zinc was more effective.
A review of the scientific literature does not indicate any extensive, formal studies done on the use of oral zinc in the therapy of human BPH. Studies in laboratories have not provided clear explanations. In a 1984 study, low amounts of zinc added to specimens of human prostate tissue increased the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, but at a higher concentration the activity of the enzyme was inhibited (. The relevance of this study to actual human oral ingestion of zinc is difficult to predict. In 1988, Dr. A. Pinelli and colleagues, from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Milan, in Italy, gave large doses of cimetidine (Tagamet, an antiulcer drug) for 45 days to rats. The levels of zinc in the prostate gland decreased while the weight of the prostate gland also decreased. The results of this study would indicate that lowering zinc levels decreases prostate size. The researchers state, "Since the zinc ion is essential to the prostate growth and androgen action and since cimetidine lowers prostate zinc content, the weight loss of the prostate observed in cimetidine treated animals can be reasonably attributed to the removal of zinc."
Therefore, whether one should incorporate zinc in the therapy of BPH, is, at this time, a difficult question to answer. As mentioned earlier in this section, enlarged prostate glands contain a very high amount of zinc. Many products with SP and Pygeum also have zinc added to them. Patients using these products benefit, but no one knows whether zinc had a role to play.
At this point, it would be better to focus on getting adequate amounts of some of the herbal extracts discussed above. There has been more evidence supporting their use as opposed to zinc. However, if a health care practitioner has recommended zinc, and the patient finds that it helps, by all means continue taking this mineral. If an herbal product contains reasonable amounts of this mineral, such as 5 to 15 mg, I wouldn't see a problem with using this product. Zinc could even be beneficial in terms of immune enhancement. Higher doses can lead to nausea. Excessive doses of zinc are not recommended for prolonged periods since copper deficiency may occur.
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