Selenium: Anti Cancer, Antioxidant & Immuno-Stimulant.

[Guest guest]

Selenium: Anti Cancer, Antioxidant & Immuno-Stimulant. JoAnn Guest Apr 23,

2005 20:46 PDT

 

Selenium is an essential trace element which is normally obtained from

the diet. However, it was not until 1979 that it was recognized as a

requirement in human nutrition.

Previous to this time it was regarded as essential to animals only.

 

The first major breakthrough was achieved by Dr Klaus Schwartz who

discovered that liver necrosis in rats could be prevented with the aid

of a kidney extract, found to contain selenium.

 

As a result of Schwartz' discovery, selenium became the object of an

intense programme of research, which continues today.

 

Researchers at Sian University in China in the 60's and 70's

experimented with selenium supplementation on sufferers from a heart

muscle disease which affected mainly young women and children. The

disease is now known as Keshan disease, Keshan being a province in

 

China -with the lowest selenium levels in the world.

Many people died of the disease, but with the aid of selenium

supplementation it has become more or less extinct.

In the 70's selenium deficient agricultural land presented serious

problems for the Finnish cattle industry, which were eradicated by the

addition of selenium to fertilizers and cattle feed.

 

General Facts

Selenium has now been discovered to be part of the enzyme system that

controls " prostaglandins " , which have widespread functions in the body.

Studies on animals show that selenium reduces high blood pressure and,

when combined with Vitamin E, reduces angina pectoris.

 

Selenium deficient animals do not 'reproduce' and in fact half a man's

body stores of selenium are found in the testes and seminal glands.

Breast milk contains up to six times as much selenium as cow's milk and

twice as much Vitamin E. Australian researchers have linked selenium

deficiency to cot deaths.

 

Effects of Selenium

 

Selenium's contribution to the immune system is to protect the cells

against " damage " caused by oxygen-free radicals.

 

A free radical is an unstable highly volatile and incomplete " molecule "

which is released as a by-product of the body's normal metabolic

processes, but which is highly *destructive* when present in excess

amounts.

 

Selenium is the principal mineral anti-oxidant and free radical

*deactivator*. It combines with glutathione and Vitamin E to form

gluathione peroxidase, the body's free radical controller.

 

Other factors include zinc, manganese and copper.

 

Prevention of infections and blood clots. It would appear that selenium

increases the *beneficial* prostaglandins (a regulatory factor in the

" coagulation " of the blood) and 'decreases' the *formation* of harmful

prostaglandins (e.g. prostaglandins causing inflammation in the joints).

 

 

Low selenium levels are associated with ECG abnormalities indicative of

heart problems.

 

Selenium prevents cancer.

Selenium supplementation has been effective in the prevention of many,

but not all, forms of cancer.

Selenium alone can give a 50% success rate, but combined with vitamins A

& E this rises to a 90% success rate.

 

The incidence of cancer is more common in a sub-group of the population

with low selenium blood levels.

 

As has already been seen, selenium protects cells from damage by

oxygen-free radicals. It also " decreases " the carcinogenic *viruses* and

inhibits the *division* of cancer cells.

 

The Link between Vitamin E and Selenium

 

Selenium is synergistic with Vitamin E, i.e. the beneficial effect of

combined selenium and Vitamin E is greater that the added effect of each

single nutrient.

The enzyme glutathione peroxidase *requires* both selenium and Vitamin E

to function.

The most efficient ratio is 100 mcg Vitamin E to 25mcg

Selenium . (Selenium is 50-100 times more powerful than Vitamin E.)

 

 

Sources of Selenium

Good sources include cold water fish, fresh garlic, brazils, and other

raw nuts. Whole grains and brown rice may also contain significant

proportions, but levels vary, depending on the soil content of the area

in which they are grown.

However, selenium is also *lost* in processing. Brown rice has fifteen

times higher levels than white rice and whole grains have twice the

levels of white bread.

 

 

Groups at Risk from Selenium Deficiency

Young people who do not eat a balanced diet. Pregnant and lactating

mothers require much higher levels than is usually ingested with the

diet.

 

Smokers generally have lower selenium blood levels than non-smokers.

This may either be due to a " non-absorption " of selenium, or a greater

formation of " free radicals " .

 

The chronically ill - particularly where disease or medication produce

loss of appetite, monotonous diets, diarrhoea and vomiting.

People living in areas of particularly low selenium levels in the soil,

e.g. China, Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

 

We've told you about studies that have shown how a sufficient selenium

intake may lower the risk of prostate, colon, breast, colorectal and

lung cancers.

 

Now a recent study from Indiana University Cancer Center and Indiana

University School of Medicine has explored the theory that

selenium activates an important *tumor-suppressing* gene called p53.

 

Scientists estimate that the p53 gene is mutated in as much as 70% of

all cancers. In experiments performed on human lung cancer cells, the

Indiana

researchers used " selenomethionine " , the major component of selenium, to

treat cells that contained p53 genes, and other cells that were

deficient in p53.

 

Results showed conclusively that selenomethionine not only *activated*

the p53 protein,but also protected cells containing p53.

Based on these findings, the researchers speculate that selenium therapy

may act as a cancer preventive by enhancing

the *vitality* of p53 genes.

 

When the p53 genes function properly, cells are more likely to *repair*

the DNA damage that may " promote " cancer.

 

-----------------------------

The Versatile Antioxidant

-----------------------------

In addition to its excellent cancer fighting abilities, many

studies have shown that selenium's antioxidant properties may

also fight 'autoimmune' disorders and help 'increase' insulin

efficiency.

 

Other research has concluded that selenium may be able to stop viruses

from mutating and becoming more potent.

Clearly, the importance of selenium in our diets can't be overstated.

 

Plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium, but the amount of

selenium in any plant depends on the selenium content of the soil it's

grown in.

For instance, soils on the high plains of North America have high

amounts of selenium, while the soil in much of China contains low

amounts. So while garlic tends to contain good amounts of this mineral,

the amounts vary depending on the soil the garlic is grown in.

The Brazil nut is the undisputed selenium champ, with one ounce

containing as much as 840 micrograms (mcg) - well over the government

recommended daily intake of 50 mcg.

 

However, Dr. Martin L. Smith, the author of the Indiana study, noted

that the average diet probably falls short of 50 mcg per day.

Furthermore, Dr. Smith believes that in order to reap the cancer

preventive qualities of selenium, intake needs to be around 200 mcg per

day.

 

In other words, if you can't or don't want to add a quarter ounce of

Brazil nuts to your daily diet, you might want to add selenium to your

supplement regimen.

 

 

So if you currently take a multi-vitamin, check to see if you're

already getting some amount of selenium. You may be getting enough, but

the chances that you're getting a dangerous dose are extremely slim.

====================================================================

Post subject: Brazil Nut

====================================================================

Anti Cancer, Antioxidant & Immuno-Stimulant.

---

This is one of the richest sources of selenium and vitamin E -

powerful antioxidants with anti-aging properties that can help

guard against many disorders including heart disease and cancer.

 

The brazil nut is extremely nutritious with high levels of

protein, unsaturated fat,selenium, zinc and other minerals, plus

substantial quantities of vitamins E and B-complex.

But it is the combination of vitamin E with selenium that gives the nut

its special " immune enhancing " properties.

 

These two antioxidants work together each improving the performance

of the other to boost immune system function. Antioxidants prevent

cell damage by " mopping up " harmful free radicals thus preventing the

" reactions " that can damage DNA.

 

Accumulated damage by free radicals is known to be an important factor

in ageing and disease and the role of antioxidants in the prevention of

illness is well recognised.

Antioxidants play a preventative role in many conditions including:

Asthma, heart disease, immune-dificiency disorders and cancer.

Selenium enhances immunity by activating an enzyme in the body which

inhibits selenium levels. This in turn affects the immune system

because a low level of selenium affects the normal antibody responses to

infection.

 

So even a moderate increase in selenium intake - a few raw nuts each

day for instance - is beneficial to the body's self defence

mechanisms and can help to reduce the risks of:

Cancer, heart disease and fungal infections, such as candidiasis.

 

Six brazil nuts provide four times your daily minimum requirement of

Selenium.

 

As you know Selenium is a very important mineral,however it is a trace

mineral. Dr. Weil does not advise taking more than 300 mcgs of this

supplement each day. When additional selenium is required it can be

easily obtained from a good organic diet.

 

In my opinion selenium is much more easily metabolized from foods,

notably organic eggs (organic is best due to the harmful

effects of hormones and antibiotics found in all traditional eggs (

so-called omega-3 eggs as well). These toxic additives only intersperse

free radicals throughout the system.

Selenium is present in seafoods such as alaskan salmon, water packed

sardines, mushrooms (medicinal mushrooms) and wheat germ.

Selenium is also present in Brewer's yeast and the sea vegetables

prevalent in the Japanese macrobiotic diet (kelp,dulse, etc)

 

Brazil nuts are highest in selenium content, with 8 mcgs of selenium

in just one. The selenium in foods has no known toxicity.

Shari Lieberman, Ph.D. maintains that one can ingest up to 2,400 mcgs of

selenium in foods with no adverse effects.

 

Farmers markets frequently offer hormone/ antibiotic free eggs.

Horizon Organics website is a good source.

www.horizonorganic.com

 

Almonds and cashews are rated moderately high in selenium although

brazils are best for their selenium content. It is good to remember that

Vitamin E works synergistically with

selenium, both in supplements and foods. Some seeds such as sesame and

pumpkin seeds are also high in selenium.

===================================================================Shari

Lieberman Ph.D

excerpted from " The Complete Vitamin and Mineral Book "

--------------------------------

 

Selenium is present in all the tissues of the body, but is concentrated

most highly in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and testes.

 

People do not consume enough selenium both because of the type of diet

they eat, and because of the low selenium content of the soil in which

their food is grown.

 

The selenium content of soil varies widely, with many areas showing

serious depletion. In fact, there have been several reports of selenium

deficiencies in livestock raised on selenium-depleted soil.

 

FUNCTIONS AND USES - Cancer

Selenium’s best-known and perhaps most important biological function

relates to its role as an antioxidant and " anticancer " mineral.

As we have seen, free radicals damage our cells,

possibly leading to the development of cancer and other degenerative

diseases. Selenium is an " activating " component of the enzyme

" glutathione peroxidase " , which protects our cells from this damage.

 

Many animal studies have proven that selenium deficiency increases the

incidence and rate of growth of cancers in animals that are either

exposed to a variety of potent carcinogens or receive transplanted

tumors. Companion studies have shown that high selenium intake protects

against these cancers.

 

For example, in one study in which rats were exposed to a potent

carcinogen, only 15 percent of those who were also given selenium

developed liver cancer as compared with 90 percent of the

unsupplemented rats.

 

In another study, the occurrence of cancer was 10 percent in the

supplemented group versus 80 percent in the control group.

In yet another animal study, selenium supplementation " reduced " *colon

cancer* incidence by more than 50 percent.

 

In another study, selenium protected against UV-induced skin damage

and cancer, retarding the onset and number of skin lesions, and

reducing inflammation, blistering, and pigmentation.

 

In humans, there is ample epidemiological evidence that high selenium is

correlated with a lower incidence of many types of cancer. For instance

researchers have found that cancer risk is significantly lower in people

living in areas with selenium-rich soil, in people with a high-selenium

food supply, and in people with higher blood levels of selenium, when

compared with people with lower intakes and blood levels.

 

Selenium intakes in the people studied were close to 750 micrograms per

day, with no toxic side effects noted. In a survey that spanned

twenty-seven countries, including the United States, it was found that

the cancer death rate was lower in those people whose typical diets were

high in selenium.

 

This and other cancer studies indicate that selenium is especially

protective against cancer of the breast, colon, and lung. Data also

suggests protection against tumors of the ovaries, cervix, rectum,

bladder,colon,esophagus, pancreas, skin, liver, and prostate, as well as

against leukemia.

 

Since 1969, it has been known that the blood levels of cancer patients

are low in selenium. In general, cancer patients with

lower-than-average selenium levels have a greater number of primary

tumors, more recurrences, more distant metastases (tumors that have

spread to distant parts of the body), and a shortened survival time.

 

In a study of 12,000 people conducted in Finland, the risk of fatal

cancer in people with the lowest levels of serum selenium was nearly

six times higher than that in people with the highest selenium

concentrations.

 

Like other nutrients, of course, selenium cannot do its work alone. In

several studies, it has been shown that selenium and vitamin E-and

perhaps vitamin A, too—have a synergistic effect. For example, in one

study, male smokers who died of cancer had lower levels of serum

selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin E, when compared with healthy control

subjects.

 

It is well known that vitamin E enhances the antioxidant effect of

selenium. In. addition, it has been found that supplementation with

selenium alone and with selenium plus vitamin E in excess of the RDAs

stimulates the immune system in experimental animals.

 

This effect is particularly pronounced when the diet is high in

essential fatty acids (omegas)-a factor that has been linked to a

higher incidence of certain cancers.

 

These studies show promise for the prevention and possible treatment

ofcancer with selenium supplementation. When combined with other

supplements, the anticancer effect may be even greater. The National

 

Cancer Institute is conducting ongoing " chemopreventive " trials of

several individual nutrients, including selenium, vitamin E, and

vitamin A.

 

However, often these trials are limited to 200 micrograms of selenium

per day, which may be too low a dose to assess the potential protective

effect of this mineral. Larger doses of selenium have been shown to be

protective in animals, and safe in humans. In addition, we are not sure

of the extent to which selenium

supplementation influences the later stages of cancer development. If

its influence is strongest in the early stage, it will be very

difficult for these trials to prove the connection between low selenium

and cancer because of the long latency period for most cancers.

 

(For example, it may take up to fourteen years for a single breast

cancer cell to multiply and produce a tumor large enough to be detected

by currently available diagnostic methods.)

 

Finally, evidence of the synergism of nutrients has led many

researchers to emphasize the need to consider several nutrients in any

given diet and cancer study, instead of focusing on just one nutrient

per study.

 

Cardiovascular Disease

 

In humans, a link has been found between selenium and heart disease.

People found to have overt selenium deficiencies-alcoholics with

cirrhosis of the liver, and people receiving long-term intravenous

feeding-have also been found to suffer from heart problems that respond

to selenium supplementation.

 

In eastern Finland, which has one of the highest mortality rates from

heart disease in the world, it was found that low selenium in the blood

was associated with up to a six- or sevenfold increase in the risk of

death from heart disease. In addition, children in certain areas of

China in which the selenium content of the soil is low are known to

develop a heart disease called Keshan’s disease. Their heart problems,

too, respond to selenium supplementation.

 

Functions in Muscular Dystrophy and Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

There is some evidence that selenium may also prove effective in the

treatment or prevention of several other disorders. A study using 400

micrograms of selenium and approximately 25 international units of

vitamin E markedly improved skin conditions such as acne and seborrheic

dermatitis in the test subjects.

 

A Danish study examined patients with rheumatoid arthritis and found

that they had lower levels of selenium. Those with the lowest levels

had the more severe form of this disease.

 

Moreover, a recent study conducted in Japan suggests that selenium and

vitamin E may enhance the responsiveness of arthritis patients to

conventional treatment. A fascinating study conducted in Scandinavia

showed a correlation between low selenium levels and the incidence and

severity of muscular dystrophy; one patient who was treated with

selenium supplements showed considerable improvement after one year.

 

Finnish researchers have also conducted a study on elderly patients,

who were given large doses of selenium and vitamin E for one year.

After two months, researchers found an obvious improvement in their

patients’ mental well-being, including less fatigue, depression, and

anxiety, and more mental alertness, motivation, and self-care.

 

Finally, selenium has been shown to protect against the " toxic effects "

of mercury, arsenic, and copper.

 

RDIs AND DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Selenium deficiency symptoms may include muscular weakness and

discomfort.

 

Recent studies have shown that people with celiac disease-an inborn

inability to digest glutenare at high risk for low selenium, along with

other nutrients, either because their " low gluten " diets are also " low "

in selenium, or because of their absorption problems.

 

Down’s syndrome patients have also been found to have low levels of

selenium and other antioxidants.

 

In one study, refinery workers were found to have low selenium levels in

spite of their dietary intake of 217 micrograms per day, which is more

than three times higher than the RDI.

 

This study indicates that because of the workers’ exposure to free

radicals on the job, their bodies were utilizing large amounts of

selenium to produce the protective enzyme glutathione peroxidase.

 

This suggests that exposure to toxic environmental chemicals increases

the requirement for this mineral.

 

Food Sources: There are no accurate available measurements of the

selenium content of foods. However, it appears that the richest sources

of selenium are seafoods and organ meats-if the animals of origin ate a

diet high in selenium.

 

Whole grains can be good sources, but, similarly, this depends on the

selenium content of the soil in which they were grown.

Fruits and vegetables generally contain very low amounts of selenium.

 

The refining process strips foods of much of their selenium content.

In one study, it was found that a highly refined diet contains 61

percent less selenium than does a diet rich in unrefined foods.

Cooking also reduces the content significantly, especially if the

cooking water is discarded. Vitamin C seems to enhance the absorption of

selenium.

 

SUPPLEMENTS

 

Selenium is most often available as an individual supplement, although

some multivitamin-mineral formulas are beginning to include this

mineral.

 

I recommend selenium in the form of selenomethionine, which is

 

extracted from selenium-rich yeast or ocean plants. This form appears to

be the most absorbable.

 

OPTIMUM DAILY INTAKE-ODI

 

For optimum general health, the basic Optimum Daily Intake for selenium

is:

 

100-400 mcg for men and women living in low-selenium areas

(this includes coastal areas and glaciated areas)

50-200 mcg for men and women living in high-selenium areas

 

The above is excerpted from the book

" The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book " ,

 

by Shari Lieberman, Ph.D and Nancy Bruning, Avery Publishing, 1997

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

JoAnn,

there's some confusion here. It's hard to see how it can be that " 1 oz " of

Brazil nuts yield up to 840! mcg of selenium, which is stated in one part of

the paper you quote from, if, we find, in another section later on in the

piece, it states that " one " Brazil nut provides 8 mcg of selenium? Could it

be that it should have stated that 1 Brazil nut yields " 80 " mcg, and not 8?

Elsewhere the article states that the balance between vit. E and Selenium

should be 100 " mcg " (?) of E, to 25 mcg of Selenium. I'm certain the

article should have stated 100 " mg " for E, not " mcg. " 100 mcg is 1/10th of

mg.

JP

_____

 

 

Selenium: Anti Cancer, Antioxidant & Immuno-Stimulant. JoAnn Guest Apr

23, 2005 20:46 PDT

 

(snip)

The most efficient ratio is 100 mcg Vitamin E to 25mcg

Selenium . (Selenium is 50-100 times more powerful than Vitamin E.)

 

(snip)

The Brazil nut is the undisputed selenium champ, with one ounce

containing as much as 840 micrograms (mcg) - well over the government

recommended daily intake of 50 mcg.

 

(snip)

Six brazil nuts provide four times your daily minimum requirement of

Selenium.

 

As you know Selenium is a very important mineral,however it is a trace

mineral. Dr. Weil does not advise taking more than 300 mcgs of this

supplement each day.

 

Brazil nuts are highest in selenium content, with 8 mcgs of selenium in just

one.

 

 

 

--

 

 

Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.10.2 - Release 4/21/2005

[Guest guest]

, " John Polifronio "

<counterpnt@e...> wrote:

JoAnn,

there's some confusion here. It's hard to see how it can be that " 1

oz " of Brazil nuts yield up to 840! mcg of selenium, which is stated

in one part of the paper you quote from, if, we find, in another

section later on in the piece, it states that " one " Brazil nut

provides 8 mcg of selenium?

Could it be that it should have stated that 1 Brazil nut yields " 80 "

mcg, and not 8?

Elsewhere the article states that the balance between vit. E and

Selenium should be 100 " mcg " (?) of E, to 25 mcg of Selenium. I'm

certain the article should have stated 100 " mg " for E, not " mcg. "

100 mcg is 1/10th of mg.

 

JP

 

---

 

John,

This is why it is so important to include many high selenium foods

in our diets. Although we can speculate how much selenium is derived

from certain nuts, there is really no way to ascertain how much is

absorbed by our system.

As one article points out, those who are exposed to more " toxins "

are sometimes lacking in selenium even though they take in very large amounts

from foods. The bottom line is that our bodies can absorb selenium more readily

from foods than it can from supplements even though we know both are extremely

important. For this reason we need to eat as many raw nuts and grains which

contain these nutrients as we can.

 

The good news is that selenium is considerably more bioavailable

from foods such as nuts,seeds, organically grown whole grains and even some

vegetables.

 

(snip)

The most efficient ratio is 100 mcg Vitamin E to 25mcg

Selenium . (Selenium is 50-100 times more powerful than Vitamin E.)

 

The vitamin E to selenium ratio is about 4 to 1 so the article is

correct in stating that the proper ratio should be 100 mcg to 25

mcg. Whenever more selenium is taken in then we should adjust our vitamin E

doses accordingly to derive full benefits.

(snip)

Six brazil nuts provide four times your " daily minimum requirement "

of Selenium.

(snip)

The Brazil nut is the undisputed selenium champ, with one ounce

containing as much as 840 micrograms (mcg) - well over

the " government recommended " daily intake of 50 mcg.

 

As we know, the FDA dosages always advise using the *bare minimum*

so it is little wonder that those who follow those recommendations are

experiencing problems. Obviously in this toxic world we live in, we need much

more to be able to " function " effectively!

 

This is an area where we need to educate ourselves and decide how

much to take for specific problems. This is one advantage of taking

personal responsibility for your health. Only you know how you feel at any point

in time! Personally I make adjustments to my diet on a daily basis and my

decisions are usually made according to how I feel at any one point in time.

 

I try to follow the guidelines are much as possible,

however there comes a time when we have to make a personal choice. There are

many variables as you can see. Personally, I prefer to read all the available

information before making my decisions.

(snip)

" As you know Selenium is a very important mineral,however it is a

trace mineral. Dr. Weil does not advise taking more than 300 mcgs of this

supplement each day. "

 

That's Dr. Weil. Shari Lieberman advises much more than that.

 

" Selenium intakes in the people studied were close to 750 micrograms

per day, with no toxic side effects noted " ...I would not recommend

these excessive amounts, however Dr. Shari claims

that they are both safe and effective although I'm thinking that

they undoubtedly must have been derived from foods, as supplement dosages are so

much lower.

 

So for attempting to get the right amounts in our diet, we can only

speculate as to how much selenium we are actually deriving from the

brazil nuts or other selenium rich foods we are eating, that is,

unless we know for certain whether we live in a " high " selenium area or not, for

it really depends on the soil in which these foods were grown as well.The

selenium " content " of soil varies widely, with many areas showing serious

depletion.

 

Man has " created " his own problems by depleting the soil with his

chemical poisons. Nature and technology just don't mix very

well, and especially not when it comes to our health considerations!

 

Best Regards,

JoAnn

 

 

 

 

 

FUNCTIONS AND USES - Cancer

Selenium's best-known and perhaps most important biological function

relates to its role as an antioxidant and " anticancer " mineral.

As we have seen, free radicals damage our cells,

possibly leading to the development of cancer and other degenerative

diseases. Selenium is an " activating " component of the enzyme

" glutathione peroxidase " , which protects our cells from this damage.

 

Many animal studies have proven that selenium deficiency increases

theincidence and rate of growth of cancers in animals that are either

exposed to a variety of potent carcinogens or receive transplanted

tumors. Companion studies have shown that high selenium intake

protectsagainst these cancers.

 

For example, in one study in which rats were exposed to a potent

carcinogen, only 15 percent of those who were also given selenium

developed liver cancer as compared with 90 percent of the

unsupplemented rats.

 

In another study, the occurrence of cancer was 10 percent in the

supplemented group versus 80 percent in the control group.

In yet another animal study, selenium supplementation " reduced "

*colon

cancer* incidence by more than 50 percent.

 

In another study, selenium protected against UV-induced skin damage

and cancer, retarding the onset and number of skin lesions, and

reducing inflammation, blistering, and pigmentation.

 

In humans, there is ample epidemiological evidence that high

selenium iscorrelated with a lower incidence of many types of cancer. For

instance

researchers have found that cancer risk is significantly lower in

peopleliving in areas with selenium-rich soil, in people with a high-

seleniumfood supply, and in people with higher blood levels of selenium, when

compared with people with lower intakes and blood levels.

 

This and other cancer studies indicate that selenium is especially

protective against cancer of the breast, colon, and lung. Data also

suggests protection against tumors of the ovaries, cervix, rectum,

bladder,colon,esophagus, pancreas, skin, liver, and prostate, as

well asagainst leukemia.

 

Since 1969, it has been known that the blood levels of cancer

patientsare low in selenium. In general, cancer patients with

lower-than-average selenium levels have a greater number of primary

tumors, more recurrences, more distant metastases (tumors that have

spread to distant parts of the body), and a shortened survival time.

 

In a study of 12,000 people conducted in Finland, the risk of fatal

cancer in people with the lowest levels of serum selenium was nearly

six times higher than that in people with the highest selenium

concentrations.

 

Like other nutrients, of course, selenium cannot do its work alone.

Inseveral studies, it has been shown that selenium and vitamin E-and

perhaps vitamin A, too—have a synergistic effect. For example, in one

study, male smokers who died of cancer had lower levels of serum

selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin E, when compared with healthy

controlsubjects.

 

It is well known that vitamin E enhances the antioxidant effect of

selenium. In. addition, it has been found that supplementation with

selenium alone and with selenium plus vitamin E in excess of the RDAs

stimulates the immune system in experimental animals.