Originally published March 8 2005
Zinc deficiency may lead to increased esophageal cancer risk
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A new study on Chinese residents shows that people with low levels of zinc in their body tissues may have a greater chance of developing esophageal cancer. Of 132 people tracked since 1985, those with the most zinc in their systems were 79 percent less likely to develop the cancer, the researchers say. The scientists say they are still not sure how (or if) their findings will change cancer treatments.
People with low levels of zinc in their tissues may be at increased risk for developing cancer of the esophagus, according to research reported in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
In the study, investigators determined zinc levels in esophageal biopsy samples obtained from 132 residents of Linzhou, China in 1985.
Of these subjects, 60 subsequently developed esophageal cancer and 72 did not.
People in the highest quartile of zinc levels were 79 percent less likely to develop esophageal cancer than those in the lowest quartile, Dr. Christian C. Abnet, from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues report.
This finding supports studies conducted in animals showing that zinc deficiency enhances the effects of certain nitrosamines, which act as esophageal carcinogens in rodents.
While the current findings are interesting, their applicability to US or European populations is unclear, the authors warn.
"We did this study in a population that is at extremely high risk for esophageal cancer," Abnet told Reuters Health.
"Also, these subjects in China probably have fairly low zinc intake and tissue levels compared with a US population."
He said his group is interested in conducting a similar study in populations with a lower risk of esophageal cancer and higher zinc levels.
"We don't have any data regarding an association with esophageal cancer in a zinc-sufficient population," Abnet commented.
"It's possible that once you get above a certain threshold, tissue zinc levels are no longer associated with cancer risk."
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