The Mineral That Could Help Prevent Oesophageal Cancer

Given the way many people eat these days, you couldn't be blamed for assuming that nine out of 10 people must suffer from either heartburn or acid reflux.

Those who are coping with heartburn need to be aware that they may be in danger of developing oesophageal cancer if their symptoms are chronic. In these cases there are two steps that patients should discuss with their doctors: 1) aggressively address the heartburn problem (more on that in a moment), and 2) according to a new study, supplementation with one mineral may provide a measure of prevention against oesophageal cancer.

Mineral need

Previous animal studies have shown that a deficiency of zinc may promote the development of cancer in the oesophagus. Based on these studies, US researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) examined oesophageal tissue biopsy specimens that were collected from more than 130 subjects. Specimens were assessed with a technique called X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy that can detect disease and toxic elements, as well as nutritional factors.

Sixty of the subjects eventually developed oesophageal cancer over a period of 16 years. Analysis of the data showed that subjects with the highest levels of zinc were nearly 80 percent less likely to develop oesophageal cancer compared to subjects who had the lowest zinc levels.

This study was conducted with subjects who lived in China where zinc intake is generally low and oesophageal cancer rates fairly high. The NIH team hopes to conduct a similar study using subjects where zinc intakes are higher.

In a past e-alert I told you how zinc has been shown to enhance the immune system, inhibit abnormal clotting that contributes to cardiovascular disease, and is one of the key nutrients needed for DNA reproduction and repair. In addition, zinc also promotes healthy vision. Researchers for the US National Eye Institute recommend a daily intake of 80 mg of zinc for anyone in a high-risk group for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Round and round

As for heartburn, its time to check in with HSI Panellist Dr Allan Spreen again.

To begin with, Dr. Spreen notes that optimal gastrooesophageal function requires a healthy sphincter at the junction where the oesophagus meets the stomach.

He explains that if you kill off stomach acids with antacid drugs, the body doesnt work as hard to protect the oesophagus from stomach acids. This loosens the sphincter and allows small amounts of stomach acid to slip past and irritate the oesophagus.

For many people, this sets off a degenerative cycle in which the oesophagus is irritated, antacids are used, the sphincter is relaxed, the oesophagus becomes irritated, etc.

The best defence

Heartburn and other conditions such as acid reflux that are grouped together under the umbrella term gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Dr. Spreens solution to GERD calls for three natural agents, which can be found in health food stores or through Internet sources:

• Acidophilus supplements
• Potters acidosis
• Digestive enzymes

According to Dr. Spreen, acidophilus supplements stop GERD pain almost immediately, while protecting the oesophagus without killing the acid. Dr. Spreen recommends the powder form of acidophilus, and adds this note on the best way to take it:

Open the capsule and let the saliva carry it down the throat to the stomach. Dose is no problem, as the supplement represents a sample of the billions of friendly bacteria that you want in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract (and in which most people are woefully deficient). Look for caps measuring at least 1 billion (with a B) cfu (colony forming units).

If acidophilus doesnt take care of the problem, the next step is Potters acidosis, which tightens the sphincter junction, but in Dr. Spreens words, requires a bit more effort.

Then its enzyme time: When the stomach is low on acid it tends to also be low on digestive enzymes. Believe it or not, the solution (along with acidophilus protection) is to ADD acid and digestive enzymes at the same time. Remember, it isnt acid thats the problem (you need it desperately for digestion); its acid reaching the oesophagus.

Proper digestion allows for higher concentration of acid while tightening the GE junction and protecting the oesophagus. I take two capsules at mid-meal which include betaine hydrochloride, a plant-based form of acid.

Contrary to what virtually every television advertisement about heartburn tells you, Dr. Spreen emphasises that neutralising stomach acid is a serious mistake with adverse consequences if pursued over time.