Department of Nutrition Student Projects

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Submission Date

4-21-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (BSHN)

First Mentor

Andrea Charvet

Keywords

Nutrition, Zinc, Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Prostate cancer remains as a significant contributor to mortality among men worldwide, and despite advancements in treatment, there is still a need for adjunct therapies that could assist in mitigating the progression of this disease. Zinc is an essential trace element which plays a crucial role in the function of the prostate and has shown signs of influencing the development of prostate cancer. This prospective study will aim to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on the progression of prostate cancer through a controlled experimental design. Participants will include patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer (stages 1-3) and will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a zinc supplementation group or placebo group. The primary outcomes will include changes in serum testosterone levels, androgen receptor protein expression, and prostate specific antigen levels over 16 weeks. Data will be analyzed through paired t-tests and ANOVA to determine statistical significance. The findings of the study could contribute to the understanding of zinc’s role in prostate cancer and potentially identify zinc’s use as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer clinically.

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