Selenium supplements not effective in lowering cancer risk
There is not enough evidence to support the suggestion that taking selenium supplements is an effective way for healthy people to protect themselves against cancer, a systematic review of 55 scientific studies has concluded.
According to the review, which was conducted by a team of researchers from across Europe, people with higher selenium levels were less likely to suffer from certain cancers including bladder and prostate, although no difference was seen in other types, such as breast.
However, the studies - together including more than one million participants – could not show whether selenium intake was the reason behind the lower cancer rates in these men and women.
The trace element is crucial to human health, but it may actually be harmful when taken in large quantities.
Read the whole article at Cancer Research UK
Reference
- Dennert, G., Zwahlen, M., et al. (2011). Selenium for preventing cancer The Cochrane Library DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005195.pub2
Keywords: selenium supplements, cancer prevention
11. 5. 2011 Cancer Research UK
