Prostate health and zinc

Saturday, September 21, 2013 by: Derrell Jones
Tags: prostate health, zinc, disease prevention

(NaturalNews) When humankind looks up at the stars, there is a tendency to feel small, even infinitesimal against the backdrop of the universe. However small we are; in the end, we still play a major role. The prostate gland, an organ found only in men, is the body's version of the seemingly infinitesimal glaring at the whole of the universal body. Despite its size (and much like mankind) it has a prevalent say in matters, especially when it concerns men's health.

The prostate and zinc

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and has a host of duties. Its primary responsibility is to enhance the functioning and viability of sperm. It also plays a very important role as the first line of defense against disease and infection for the genitourinary system. A central part of the proper functioning of the prostate seems to rest with zinc. Zinc is a mineral that is found in higher concentration in the prostate than in any other part of the body. Not enough zinc is thought to lead to adverse health issues as it relates to the prostate (and other bodily functions like glucose control or stopping progressive hearing loss for example). Zinc, in and of itself, is a well-known antioxidant and antimicrobial which likely gives the prostate the ability to ward off infection and stabilize inflammation.

In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that adequate zinc intake from food sources or supplementation is directly correlated with reduced risk of prostate cancer mortality. Many people are familiar with the 2003 "study" conducted by the National Cancer Institute that suggested increased zinc levels lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. It would be well to point out that the "study" failed to assess the prostate health of those who were taking part. The authors of the "study" also failed to control the type of zinc the participants utilized. There was no way to know if the zinc consumed was of a high enough quality. It is noteworthy that they were able to draw any scientific conclusions to begin with.

Natural sources and supplementation

Zinc can be found naturally in beef liver, lamb, sardines, ginger root, oysters, pecans, whole wheat, rye, oats, chicken, walnuts, and lima beans to name just a few. The highest concentrations in food tend to come from sources rich in protein. When it comes to supplementation, be careful about the type you consume. Many inferior manufactures use zinc oxide. Oxides should be avoided; given that they can cause free radical formations negating the antioxidant effect of zinc. Instead, the citrate or picolinate version of zinc should be sought. They tend to be much more bioavailable; allowing the body to absorb them efficiently without free radical production.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002416.htm

About the author:
Derrell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nutritional Consultant. His mission is to assist as many people as possible during a time when great health is stolen instead of fostered. Follow Derrell at thoughtfulhealth.blogspot.com or email him at [email protected]. If you are interested in toxin free nutritional and personal care products please visit thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com.