Zinc and Prostate Cancer

Although zinc is an essential mineral in human nutrition, many people have insufficient zinc status due to low dietary intake. Zinc functions as an antioxidant and is involved in many critical biochemical reactions. It also helps to protect DNA from damage and assists in its repair. Zinc is especially important in the prostate and may protect it from early damage that could lead to cancer, although our studies with prostate cancer cells in culture indicate that zinc supplementation may be less useful in treating prostate cancer.