Many practitioners and patients seem to think that Zinc is a cure-all for all prostate-related problems, or that they all result from insufficient zinc intake, however only an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy), or BPH, is at times linked to below-normal levels of zinc. Subsequently, with some exceptions, nutritional supplements used in the treatment of BPH will generally not work for
prostatitis, or may have to be avoided.
Prostatitis presents with above-normal, to typically very high cellular levels of zinc, and symptoms are invariably worsened by either supplementing extra zinc, consuming foods that are high in zinc, or by any other aspects or dietary lifestyle that synergistically promotes greater zinc retention.
Some individuals claim that their condition improved after supplementing zinc, but it always turns out that they either did not have Prostatitis in the first place - i.e. they self-diagnosed their condition, or a misdiagnosis was made by an unqualified practitioner.
However, even qualified urologists frequently disagree on the proper classification of the disorder and/or the best course of treatment, unless a patient presents with a conclusive, lab-supported case of acute bacterial prostatitis. The reason is simply that the term "Prostatitis" over the years has become synonymous with a variety of symptoms that include bacterial and non-bacterial Prostatitis, prostatodynia, proctalgia (rectal pain), CPPS (chronic pelvic pain syndrome), interstitial
cystitis, and also Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, for which zinc supplementation may actually be indicated and beneficial.
Commonly agreed upon causes of Bacterial Prostatitis include pathogens such as escherichia coli (E. coli),found in about 90% of patients, or proteus, enterobacter, pseudomonas, streptococcus and staphylococcus, serratia, untreated yeast infections and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), and there are additional considerations of tuberculosis (tuberculous prostatitis), and other viral or bacterial infections. However it is agreed, that better than 90% of chronic prostate complaints are related to Non-Bacterial Prostatitis (with negative laboratory findings, or no documented culture), for which antibiotics are not effective or indicated, and where generally no particular cause is found.
When non-specific rheumatoid-types of symptoms are experienced in addition to prostate pain, a low-level chronic systemic infection is suspect that may result secondary to oral focation (sinuses, tonsils, teeth, gums), or other areas in the body. In those cases, all symptoms readily disappear when the problem area is identi - fied and resolved. With odontogenic disturbances, the distal irritation is always ipsilateral, so for the purpose of identifying any Prostatitis involvement, only left-sided foci would be a consideration.
While it is recognized that Prostatitis can generate Referred Pain in other locations (usually the lower back, but also dental pain, which coincides with flare-ups of Prostatitis), both upper and lower incisors likewise are capable of triggering chronic Genitourinary Pain.
The left side involving the 1st + 2nd upper or lower odonton is prostate / uterine-specific, and the right side involving the 1st + 2nd upper or lower odonton is bladder-specific, having the potential of causing chronic Prostatitis (left side), or interstitial or chronic cystitis (right side). In a couple of patients I have been able to trace the cause to failed root canal work, where their symptoms promptly and permanently disappeared following additional endodontal intervention, with no other treatments required.
It is not unusual for some men to experience left-sided Sciatic Pain in addition to prostate pain and burning, since most cases of non-surgical sciatica involve a zinc / potassium ratio conflict. Correcting the patient's Zn / K ratio will not only resolve sciatic pain, but any related prostate pain as well, provided zinc levels are normal. This can be accomplished through nutritional intervention (food, supplements), or through needle, or needle-less electro-Acupuncture.
