UPDATE - Issue 24 - Winter 2005
Zinc - Friend or Foe?
by Christina Howard
Clinical Nutritionist at the Prostate Centre
A couple of years ago a friend of mine was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. Recalling a study published in a nutritional journal, that demonstrated how a deficiency in zinc could be one of the contributory factors leading to prostatitis, he began to supplement his diet with 50 mg of zinc picolinate a day, thus hoping to reduce the discomfort he was experiencing.
To his delight, his condition improved rapidly and his prostate discomfort cleared almost overnight. My friend, though, is of a rather literal turn of mind. So, taking the cautious approach that vitamins and minerals are like money, if some is good, more is surely better, he chose to remain on the same amount of zinc over a number of months. in addition to his usual daily nutritional regime of vitamins and minerals. Not long after, the old symptoms returned, creeping in slowly, at first and then, at an alarming rate and so, he upped his daily dose of zinc once again. To his surprise, instead of feeling better he began to feel worse. Medical tests revealed that he now had a serious bacterial infection in the prostate and although he was put on a course of antibiotics (which he took along with his zinc supplementation, of course), his infection continued to get progressively worse. Finally acting upon correct nutritional advice, he removed the zinc from his diet and increased the copper intake. Within a week, his symptoms improved and before long he was back to normal.
So what had happened? A vitamin and mineral profile analysis revealed that the high levels of zinc present in his body had actually created a deficiency in copper and, when low in copper, the human body becomes more prone to a large number of bacterial infections. Such a scenario, inadvertently crafted over a period of several months, may have, in fact, contributed to and intensified his prostate infection.
Oysters' aphrodisiac properties can be traced
to the healthy levels of zinc they contain.
Like everywhere else in nature, the highly complex and subtle laws of synergy and antagonism also operate between vitamins and minerals, calling for this finely tuned balance to be maintained at all times. When taken in the right amounts, nutrients will co-operate within the cell, they will help absorb each other and work in harmony. On the other hand, too much exposure to one nutrient alone may result in an imbalance, with dire consequences for the overall body chemistry that may lead, in time, to illness and, if left unchecked, in some cases, to cancer.
Taken correctly, zinc is a man's best friend controlling over 70 different chemical reactions in the body. Together with lycopene, vitamin E and selenium, it represents one of the most useful tools in the arsenal of nutrients employed in combating prostate disease. Zinc will also strengthen the immune system (quite useful during the cold and 'flu season), will heal wounds and burns, will protect the liver from chemical and alcohol damage and will arrest blindness (caused by macular degeneration) in the elderly.
Zinc deficiency can be responsible for prostate problems, impotence, a propensity for diabetes, recurrent colds and flu, skin lesions, impaired vision and hair loss. Low levels of zinc are also a factor in stress, fatigue and decreased alertness. So, where should one look for dietary zinc? Assuming that the absorption levels are good, fish, lamb, legumes, seeds, nuts, poultry all represent excellent sources as does seafood, with oysters as a favourite.
If you get it right, zinc can be a true friend in the defence of many illnesses. Get it wrong and it can turn into a foe!