Essential Trace Elements and Cancer

The immune system (immunoglobulins, cell mediated immunity, phagocytosis complement, lysosomes, interferon, metabolic function, hormones, metabolic and respiratory alkalosis) is the natural mechanism which defends against cancer. Trace elements zinc, selenium, molybdenum, and manganese augment this natural mechanism. Zinc is essential for normal development and maintenance of the thymus. Reduced antibody synthesis during zinc deficiency relates in part to interference with T-Iymphocyte helper function. Zinc promotes B-cell function by acting as a mitogen for animal and human lymphocytes. Zinc is essential for the normal bactericidal and phagocytic function of granulocytes. Zinc's essential role in protein synthesis makes it essential for normal complement production. Acrodermatitis enteropathica, failure to absorb zinc because of an inborn error of metabolism, is marked by all the above defects. Blood and serum from cancer patients generally show subnormal zinc levels. Zinc prevents the growth of experimentally induced cancers. Zinc deficiency depresses killer cell activity. Zinc deficiency promotes cancer by inhibiting normal vitamin A and lipid metabolism and DNA repair. The parents of pyroluric patients presumably deficient in zinc have an increased