The July 2012 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition featured a report analyzing data from 12 studies and suggesting higher blood and toenail levels of selenium are associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.1 Both blood levels (plasma levels) and toenail levels of selenium reflect oral intake of selenium.
Data from the 12 studies involved a total of 13,254 participants, including 5,007 cases of prostate cancer. This meta-analysis showed that prostate cancer decreased with increasing plasma/ serum selenium up to 170 ng/mL. Three high-quality studies included in the meta-analysis of toenail selenium and cancer risk indicated a significant reduction in prostate cancer risk with a toenail selenium concentration between 0.85 and 0.94 µg/gm.
Correlation studies of this kind are not absolute proof that higher selenium intake reduces risk of prostate cancer. However, there is evidence to show that selenium status may be a significant factor in combating prostate cancer. A 2005 study in the Journal of Urology showed that providing prostate cancer patients (who had localized disease and a low-to-moderate Gleason score) with a low-animal-fat diet, soy foods, along with daily supplementation including vitamin E – 400 IU, vitamin C – 2,000 mg, and selenium – 200 mcg, along with moderate exercise, facilitated reversal of their disease (reduced PSA over a one-year period) and other signs of disease regression, compared to men with localized prostate cancer (with a low-to-moderate Gleason score), who did not follow the diet, supplement and exercise program.2 The Gleason score rates the aggressiveness of the cancer. The highest Gleason score is 10 and the lowest score is 2. These scores are assigned by pathologists who examine prostate cancer tumors derived from a prostate biopsy.
Over the years, many experimental studies have shown that selenium possesses various anti-cancer properties. Some of these include inducing programmed cell death of cancer cells (apoptosis); slowing the rate of cell division of cancer cells; and protecting DNA from mutations that may lead to cancer when exposed to known carcinogens.3
Based on the totality of evidence, I recommend ingesting 200 mcg of selenium per day from a high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement that also contains 400 IU of vitamin E succinate, 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 1,000 IU of vitamin E, 6 mg of lycopene powder and 15 mg of zinc. All of these nutrients have been shown to promote health of the prostate gland.
Editor's note: Dr. Meschino's online newsletter contains an extensive video on prostate health. Click here to access the video.
References
- Hurst R, et al. Selenium and prostate cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr, July 2012;96(1):111-122.
- Ornish D, et al. Intensive lifestyle changes may affect progression of prostate cancer. Journal of Urology, 2005;174:1065-1070.
- Jackson MI, Combs GJ Jr. Selenium and anti-carcinogenesis: underlying mechanisms. Curr Opin in Clin Nutr and Metab Care, 2008;11:718-726.
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