Zinc for Cancer Are Zinc supplements safe or can cause prostate cancer?

Zinc is an essential mineral involved in various functions in the body, including immune system function, wound healing, metabolism, and DNA repair.

The body cannot make zinc by itself, and people usually obtain adequate amounts of zinc through their diet. Dietary sources of zinc include oysters, lobster, crab, red meat, chicken, beans, nuts, dairy products, and fortified cereals. Some people might also choose to take zinc supplements. 

Is there a Link Between Zinc Supplements and Prostate Cancer?

Recently, there has been some debate over zinc supplements for prostate cancer. Some health experts believe that taking zinc supplements decreases men’s risk of developing the disease. They argue that zinc supplements prevent prostate cancer cell growth and proliferation in the body.

However, others believe that zinc supplements may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Recent research shows that high amounts of zinc interfere with other mineral levels in the prostate and increase prostate cancer cell growth.

What Do Different Experts Think of Zinc Supplements and Prostate Cancer?

Opinion 1: Zinc Intake is Safe and Protects Against Prostate Cancer

Many health experts maintain that men who take zinc supplements have a decreased risk of developing prostate cancer. They argue that zinc helps inhibit prostate cancer cells from growing and spreading to other cells. Some researchers suggest that zinc does this by inhibiting the expression of nuclear factor κB (NFκB), a protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells.

When examining the evidence for zinc supplementation in 2015, Dr. Lynda Balneaves, director of the University of Toronto’s Center for Integrative Medicine, says, there are “population-based studies” where individuals who were taking supplemental zinc, “taking 15 milligrams of zinc tablet a day actually had a reduced risk in having advanced prostate cancer.”

A 2019 study in the journal Investigative and Clinical Urology found that men with prostate cancer were deficient in zinc. Men who had low levels of zinc were likely to have the most severe forms of prostate cancer.

In August 2020, one review article in the quarterly book publication, Frontiers in Oncology found that low levels of zinc in the prostate are most “likely a cause for rather than a consequence of” prostate cancer. Thus, having high levels of zinc in the prostate may protect against prostate cancer.

These findings have renewed the interest in zinc’s therapeutic potential for treating prostate cancer. Scientists are conducting more research to determine whether zinc supplements have practical applications in prostate cancer treatment.

Opinion 2: Zinc Intake is Harmful and Increases the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Meanwhile, some health experts believe that men who take zinc supplements have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer. They argue that zinc provides the optimal environment for cancer to thrive.

According to a special article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2005, zinc may increase prostate cancer risk for two reasons. First, taking abnormally high levels of zinc impairs immune system function, which increases the risk of cancer. Second, increased zinc intake is also related to higher amounts of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).

IGF-1 promotes cancer development because it inhibits apoptosis (cell death) and allows cancer cells to multiply quicker. Thus, having high levels of IGF-1 may increase the likelihood of prostate cancer development.

One 2018 study published in the journal Nutrients found that men who had a high zinc intake were more likely to develop prostate cancer in the future, especially if they are genetically susceptible to it.
Dr. Mark Scholz, MD, a medical oncologist and the executive director of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, does not advise men with prostate cancer to take zinc supplements. He points out that people often take supplements because they boost immune system function.

However, he says, “problems with prostate cancer are not usually related to an immune deficiency. The problem is that the immune system doesn’t see the cancer, it’s blind, or it’s cloaked… supplementation with minerals can actually stimulate cell growth and accelerate cancer growth.”

Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO, a naturopathic physician, also believes that taking zinc supplementation increases the risk of prostate cancer development. He maintains taking zinc supplements will make the cancer harder to treat.

To prove his point, Dr. Schor points to a 2014 study where prostate cells exposed to zinc became resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Another study conducted in 2017 also validated these findings. Thus, he only advises men at risk for prostate cancer to get zinc from their diet rather than take zinc supplements.

Do You Think Zinc is Safe and Beneficial or Harmful and Can Increase the Risk of Prostate Cancer?

Share your thoughts on this topic in the forum below.

Vote “YES” if you think taking zinc supplements is safe and decreases the risks of developing several diseases, including cancer. "NO" if you think it can be harmful and increases the risk of prostate cancer.