(NaturalNews) The CSPI is reportedly suing Bayer over the company's claims that the
selenium in its "One-A-Day" multivitamin formula helps prevent prostate cancer (
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5905I320091001). It's rare to see NaturalNews actually siding with Bayer on anything, but in this case, I think it's worth pointing out that selenium is, indeed, a very helpful nutrient for preventing cancer (see below).
While I personally don't consume or recommend anything from
Bayer (and certainly not their
multivitamin formula), I think it's important to bring you these quotes about the anti-cancer properties of
selenium, a trace mineral lacking in the diets of many. (By the way, one of the top sources for
organic selenium is
Brazil Nuts.)
Selenium helps prevent cancer
Selenium inhibits cancer growth in
animals. Low soil levels of selenium (probably associated with low dietary intake), have been associated with increased cancer incidence in humans. Blood levels of selenium have been reported to be low in
patients with many cancers, including
lung cancer. In preliminary reports, people with the lowest
blood levels of selenium had between 3.8 and 5.8 times the
risk of dying from cancer compared with those who had the highest selenium levels.
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The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.Larry Clark presented
evidence that supplemental selenium could reduce cancer
death rates by as much as 50%. 1,312 patients were given 200 mcg. of selenium daily. The patients receiving selenium had a rise of 67% in their blood selenium level. The patients receiving selenium had a 67% decrease in cancer of the prostate, a 58 percent decrease in colon or
rectal cancer and a 45% decrease in lung cancer. This suggests that possibly up to 100,000 lives a year might be saved in the
USA by the simple addition of selenium to the
diet. Why Does This Happen?
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A Physician's Guide To Natural Health Products That Work by James A. Howenstine, MDSelenium is needed by important
immune system cells known as T cells. Selenium helps the T cells produce cytokines, which are used as messengers between and inside the cells. Adequate selenium may be needed to increase resistance to HIV
infection. Selenium is also needed by white blood cells to fight microorganisms. Low dietary intakes of selenium may make people more vulnerable to Keshan
disease. Keshan disease can cause heart problems. Excesses of selenium create methylated selenium in the body.
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Vitamins and Minerals Demystified by Dr. Steve BlakeTaking 200 micrograms of selenium daily for about seven years reduced the occurrence of all
cancers in a group of 1,300 older people by 42 percent and cancer
deaths by nearly 50 percent compared with those on a sugar pill or
placebo. Selenium had the greatest impact on
prostate cancer, slashing occurrence by 69 percent. Selenium also decreased rates of colorectal cancer 64 percent and lung cancer 39 percent.
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Miracle Cures: Dramatic New Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Healing Powers of Herbs, Vitamins, and Other Natural Remedies by Jean CarperRecent large scale
studies in Linxian, China found reduced risk of cancer when selenium
supplements were given to those living in selenium-deficient areas. Other studies have shown that selenium supplements protect against some types of cancer such as rectal, ovarian,
colon, lung and cervical cancers. However, there are also studies, including the Harvard Nurses Health Study which do not show a protective role for selenium against cancers at any major site. Laboratory studies have shown that selenium can slow tumor cell growth.
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The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola ReavleyPeople with AIDS tend to have low levels of selenium. That shortage puts a
stress on the immune system, because selenium is needed to avoid oxidative stress. Selenium should be taken with other major antioxidants to optimize
immune function. Several studies have shown that low levels of selenium are associated with an increased risk of cancer. This is especially true for
stomach, esophageal, colon, rectal, and prostate cancers. Interestingly, garlic, onions, broccoli, and whole grains are recommended to prevent cancer, and all of them are good sources of selenium.
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The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler, N.D.Selenium has been studied to determine its role in both the causation and the
prevention of cancer. The epidemiological evidence is derived from a few geographical correlation studies, which have shown that the risk of cancer is inversely related to estimates of per capita selenium intake, selenium levels in blood specimens, or selenium concentrations in water supplies. It is not clear whether this relationship applies to all types of cancer or only to cancer at specific sites such as the gastrointestinal tract.
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Diet, Nutrition and Cancer by Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, Assembly of Life Sciences National Research CouncilPatients with malignant neoplasms had low selenium levels, whereas
healthy controls and those with precancerous lesions both had higher selenium levels. These
results suggest the need for longer
treatment periods with selenium. Steady supplementation with selenium-enriched yeast may have allowed for a more rapid increase in maintenance of higher selenium levels. I conclude that these are encouraging results demonstrating the effect of selenium therapy in the treatment of precancerous dysplastic lesions of the oral cavity.
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Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer: A Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Treatment by Donald R. Yance, Jr., C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene ValentineAlthough most people get enough selenium from their diet, the soils in some areas of the country are low in this mineral. Evidence suggests that selenium supplements may protect against some forms of cancer. What is the Scientific Evidence for Selenium? Selenium in
supplement form has been associated with a lower risk of cancers of the prostate, colorectal, and lung, as well as a substantial reduction in cancer deaths. Dietary sources of selenium are associated with a lower risk for cancers of the esophagus and stomach.
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The Natural Pharmacist: Your Complete Guide to Reducing Cancer Risk by Richard HarknessIn areas of China with high rates of hepatitis B and primary
liver cancer, epidemiological surveys demonstrated that high levels of dietary selenium reduce
liver cancer incidence and
hepatitis B infection. Animal studies showed that selenium supplementation reduced
hepatitis B infection by 77.2% and precancerous liver lesions by 75.8% (Yu et al. 1997). In an 8-year follow-up trial in 130,471 Chinese, those who were given a selenium-spiked table
salt showed a 35.1% reduction in primary liver cancer, compared with the group given salt without the added selenium.
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Disease Prevention and Treatment by The Life Extension Editorial StaffWe know that when animals are given foods with selenium compounds added to them and then given a chemical that causes
colon cancer, there are fewer polyps and pre-cancerous cells in the selenium-fed animals. Adults with low blood plasma selenium levels are 3-4 times more likely to develop one or more adenomatous polyps. Vitamin C appears to work synergistically with selenium in this regard.
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You Don't Have to be Afraid of Cancer Anymore by Bill SardiSelenium, an essential trace mineral and vital
antioxidant, works synergistically with
vitamin E. One study concludes that supplemental beta-carotene and selenium enhanced immune function in a healthy elderly group. Dozens of animal and in vitro studies point to selenium in the prevention and treatment of cancer. A review article cites many epidemiological studies showing a significant inverse relationship between selenium intake and human cancer risk. Most recently,
research has proven a role for selenium in the prevention of colon cancer.
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Gary Null's Power Aging by Gary NullSeveral studies have shown that selenium possesses definite anticancer characteristics. Some suspect that among other things, selenium helps out by slowing down cancer at its very earliest stages, permitting cells to heal themselves before they are taken over by the cancer process. In any
event, several highly respected researchers have repeatedly shown that when laboratory animals are injected with
cancer cells, supplementing their diet with a little extra selenium substantially lowers the subsequent tumor rate.
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The Practical Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Mark BricklinEpidemiological studies suggest that the risk of cancer is reduced in areas where the
soil is high in selenium. Blood samples taken from large groups of people also show that they are more likely to develop cancer if they have low blood levels of selenium and the antioxidant selenium-containing enzyme, glutathione peroxidase. Low serum, dietary and soil selenium levels are particularly associated with lung, gastrointestinal tract and prostate cancers. Selenium may be most effective when combined with vitamin E.
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The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola ReavleyCancer rates drop as selenium is added to the diet. Selenium stops all phases of the cancer cascade. Selenium stops initiation by increasing adaptability at the cellular and humoral levels, protecting the DNA from disruption by chemical carcinogens, and by stopping viral oncogenesis. Selenium disrupts cancer promotion by working as an antioxidant, an enzyme nourisher, and an immune system strengthener. In addition, selenium has been shown to depress the growth rate of established tumors. Organically grown foods have much more selenium than foods raised with chemical fertilizers.
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Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way by Susun S. WeedSelenium has also induced "apoptosis" (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. A recent double-blind study following over 1,300 people found that those given 200 mcg of yeast-based selenium per day for 7 years had a 50% drop in the cancer
death rate compared with the placebo group. Another recent trial found that men exposed to the most dietary selenium (as indirectly measured by toenail selenium levels) developed 65% less advanced prostate cancer than did men with the lowest levels of selenium. Selenium is also essential for healthy immune functioning.
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The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine by Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DCTo lower the risk of developing liver cancer, take 150 micrograms of selenium (any form except selenomethionine) daily on an ongoing basis. A clinical trial in China involving over 100,000 people found that taking supplemental selenium reduced the rate of liver cancer by 35 percent over an eight-year period. When the selenium supplement was discontinued, liver cancer rates began to rise again. Selenium is especially helpful for people infected with hepatitis B. Smoking, drinking, and inadequate vitamin A intake increase the risk of liver cancer in people infected with hepatitis B.
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Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
About the author: Mike Adams is an award-winning journalist and holistic nutritionist with a mission to teach personal and planetary health to the public He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams co-founded NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video sharing site that has now grown in popularity. He also founded an environmentally-friendly online retailer called BetterLifeGoods.com that uses retail profits to help support consumer advocacy programs. He's also the founder of a well known HTML email software company whose 'Email Marketing Director' software currently runs the NaturalNews subscription database. Adams is currently the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and pursues hobbies such as martial arts, Capoeira, nature macrophotography and organic gardening. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known on the 'net as 'the Health Ranger,' Adams shares his ethics, mission statements and personal health statistics at www.HealthRanger.org
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