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   ZINC and MAJOR DISEASE

The limited useful research found relating Zinc to risks of major disease are shown in Table Z following.  The one study found relating zinc in diet to heart disease indicates a risk ratio of 0.69.  This is supported by other information showing the Zinc acts as an antioxidant.  Other more usually taken antioxidants probably can provide the protection potential from this factor.  This together with the lack of 3 confirming studies for Zinc suggests that it this result on heart disease is not adequate for inclusion in Life Ahead.

Two studies confirm a significant effect of Zinc in reducing risk of Prostate Cancer.  Although short of the three studies usually needed, animal studies suggest that zinc deficiency increases rate of cancer development. And some studies point to lower amounts of zinc in the blood of cancer victims than in controls. Thus a modest effect of Zinc in reducing risk of Prostate Cancer is now included in Life Ahead

Most US people today do not obtain even the 15 mg/day RDA amount of Zinc.  This mineral helps strengthen the immune function, and does add antioxidant effect.  Thus Life Ahead assumes that a risk reduction for Prostate Cancer of 30% or a factor of 0.70 will accrue from a dietary intake increase of from a low 5 to the target of 15 mg per day.  This provides only a small contribution toward increasing Well-Days. An average population value of dietary Zinc is assumed at 11 mg/day.  No advantage is now computed for total dietary intakes of Zinc above 15 mg per day.

Most people should obtain at least 8 or more mg/day of Zinc in foods.  Thus a health interested person usually should consider a Zinc supplement of about 10 or 15 mg per day to insure adequate intake of zinc to meet both RDA and Life Ahead targets. This amount is included in some but not in all multi-vitamin tablets.