Zinc Promotes the Degradation of the Pro-inflammatory, Pro-Cancer Molecule NF-kappaB

Zinc deficiency is very common throughout the world. There are three basic reasons for this deficiency. First, many diets are zinc deficient. Second, the excessive ingestion of cereal grains complexes zinc and prevents its uptake into the body. Third, chronic illness appears to deplete body stores of zinc by unknown mechanisms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=18754861&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=18311051&itool=pubmed_docsum

Zinc is a known activator of both the innate and adaptive (genetic) immune responses. This will be discussed in another essay. This essay will concentrate on the protein A20, a zinc binding protein, that promotes the degradation of pre-activated NF-kappaB in both the proteasone and lysosomal systems.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=18952128&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15258597&itool=pubmed_docsum

When NF-kappaB is activated, it migrates into the nucleus where it activates the A20 gene. This is a feedback response which prohibits a prolonged NF-kappaB response in cells.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1381359&itool=pubmed_docsum

In A20 deficient mice, inflammation cannot be controlled due to prolonged NF-kappaB activity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11009421&itool=pubmed_docsum

A20 is a zinc finger protein. These proteins bind zinc which induces conformational changes that promote maximal biological activity. Over 300 zinc finger proteins have been identified to date. A20 must bind 7 zinc molecules in order to be biologically active. Even small or marginal zinc deficiencies can promote inflammation due to inadequate A20 biological activity. 

A therapeutic dose of zinc is 50 milligrams of elemental zinc a day. Most zinc supplements report how much elemental zinc is contained in each capsule. 

Stay tuned...

Grouppe Kurosawa, Medicine in the Public Interest

http://www.grouppekurosawa.com

Comments

[djh]

Earlier today, I was reviewing your past blogs on zinc relative to prostate cancer (2/27/05, 3/9/05 and 3/16/05). In those postings, you recommended Zinc in the form of Zinc Citrate.

By chance, I subsequently reviewed this new post and found it to be of particular interest.

I am currently taking Solaray BioCitrate Zinc which lists each capsule as containing 50 mg Zinc (as Zinc-Citrate) and 5 mg Sodium. A new version of the product substitutes 50 mg Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)(seed) for the Sodium in the previous version. The label states that Pumpkin is added as a natural source of Zinc.

In attempting to determine the amount of elemental Zinc, I checked the manufacturers web site but it only contains a duplicate of information on the product label.

With that background I have three questions:

Your 2/27/2005 post recommended a dose of 100 mg Zinc per day whereas this post suggests 50 mg per day. In 2005 you cited the following: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12837837
The NIH Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet shows 40 mg as the upper level while noting that this does not limit higher doses for someone under medical supervision. (See Table 3).
http://ods.od.nih.gov/FactSheets/Zinc.asp
What is your rationale for 50 mg?

Is your past recommendation of using Zinc in the form of Zinc Citrate still appropriate or do you recommend it in some other form?

Any thoughts as to how to determine the number of capsules to achieve a desired dose of elemental Zinc?

Thanks for the usual great research.

[Larry B]

Fellow GK members,
I have been taking 50mg of zinc as Zinc Sulfate in a liquid Ionic Zinc formula made by Trace Minerals, available at your local Vitamin Shoppe. It contains:
Magnesium (Concern Trace) 25mg
Zinc (Sulfate)
50mg
Copper
2mg
Chloride
70mg
Other Trace Minerals
237mg
Sulfate
80mg
Boron
0.1 mg

I told Dr. Martin that I had Liver cancer and have been taking with the protocol now for almost six months.
Bottom line is my liver enzymes have decreased on average 100-150 points in the last 2-3 months. And I have Hep C and HCC.
There may be other contributing factors but my cancer is down-staging(almost unheard of with HCC) and enzymes are much lower and tumor marker is down from 47-18 in the last month and a half.
The Liquid Mineral form is easy to use...just 1.25 ml with a dropper in water once a day. No pills, no counting and no mess.

Hope this helps,
And thanks to Steve Martin for getting me started with this for my protocol.

[Dr. Steve]

Everything changes over time. 50 mgs of zinc is the upper limit. I don't care what I said in the past. I only care what I can find out now. Zinc citrate or sulfate is fine as long as the amount of elemental zinc is listed on the bottle.

[djh]

I learned from my local supplement provider and confirmed with a manufacturer that for most mineral compounds (zinc for instance), the amount of the elemental mineral is as stated on the label even though the word elemental is not used.

For instance, for one capsule, the label notation "Zinc (as Zinc Citrate) - 50mg" means a cap has 50mg of elemental zinc.

[Dr. Steve]

You are absolutely correct.

[Harold Espinoza]

Dr. Martin. I have been giving my wife electolytic minerals with many trace minerals in liquid form. She had tests done and her liver enzyme levels are pretty high. Would the electolytic minerals be causing this? I am still waiting for my nephew to come down on the 19th from Tampa to start the MJ treatment for Jessica her 15-3 tumor marker are way way up there 2,660 when the limit is 50. I hope that the MJ will help her is there another protocol for it or is it every 6 days aerosol or could it be done every 3 days?
Thanks
HAROLD

[Harold Espinoza]

Actually they are ionic sea minerals.

[Harold Espinoza]

Here is the link to that supplement:

http://www.cancerchoices.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=IonicMinerals&Category_Code=LiquidMineralComplexhttp://www.cancerchoices.c
What are your thoughts in this stuff Doc?

[Harold Espinoza]

Hi Larry B.
What are you taking to control those liver enzyme levels from elevating? My wife has a met breast cancer and her liver enzymes are high on her lab results and she is not taking chemo right now but is on ionic ocean minerals.
Thanks for your coments.
Harold

[GS]

Hi Harold,
I hope Dr. Martin will comment on this.
Ionic sea minerals contain:
Magnesium, Chloride, Sodium, Potassium, Sulfate, Lithium, Boron, Calcium, Chromium, Bromide, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, Nitrogen, Zinc, Nickel, Tungsten, Germanium, Selenium, Phosphorus, Iodide, Manganese, Gold, Silver, Fluoride, Silicon, Titanium, Rubidium, Copper, Antimony, Molybdenum, Strontium, Scandium, Vanadium, Tellurium, Barium, Lanthanum, Yttrium, Gallium, Bismuth, Zirconium, Cerium, Cesium, Beryllium, Hafnium, Holmium, Samarium, Terbium, Europium, Gadolinium, Dysprosium, Thorium, Lutetium, Thulium, Cadmium, Erbium, Ytterbium, Neodymium, Praseodymium, Niobium, Tantalum, Thallium, Rhenium, Indium, Palladium, Platinum, Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Radon, and other elements found in sea water.

I would stay really far away from these.
IT WOULD BE WISE TO STAY AWAY FROM SOMETHING YOU DONT ADEQUATELY UNDERSTAND.
Some of this stuff is also radioactive.

[Larry B]

I am not concerned about the liver enzymes right now as they have been high for the last 15 years. I have Hep C. My main concern is stopping the cancer.
Not being a doctor I don't know why your wife's enzymes are elevated. I have seen my levels drop in the last few months while on the GK protocol but you will have to draw your own conclusions.
The Zinc supplement is an anti-inflammatory as I was told by Steve Martin and that is why I am taking it.
Best of luck. Ask your doctors.

Larry B.

[Dr. Steve]

Yes, it can be taken every three days. Electrolytes shouldn't be a problem.

[Dr. Steve]

Drop the stuff. There is no reason to use it and something in it may interfere with MJ.

[Harold Espinoza]

Dr. Martin
I have bought Mason Vitamins natural Zinc 50mg (as Gluconate). I cannot find any supplemente with states "elemental zinc" here in Ecuador. Would this be a good source of zinc for liver function? I understand as Drop the stuff in reference to the Ionic Ocean Minerals right?
Thanks,
Dr. Martin