Zinc may prevent oral and esophageal cancer

Zinc supplements may help reduce the risk of oral and esophageal cancer, especially in those who are deficient, says a new study. In the study, researchers found that giving zinc to animals reversed high expression of compounds called cox-2 enzymes, which are associated with oral and esophageal cancer. Researchers have recognized that a rise in cox-2 expression is linked with oral and esophageal cancers, and that a lack of zinc in the diet increases the risk of oral and esophageal cancer. It is estimated that up to 10 percent of Americans are zinc deficient.