Selenium Boosted In Cancer War

Thursday, March 2nd 2006

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Medical experts worried that the shortage of selenium in New Zealand soils increases the risk of cancer are taking supplements.

The country's volcanic soils are notoriously low in the mineral, which is needed for almost all organ function.

Overseas research as linked low selenium intake with higher rates of cancer and other chronic health conditions, and New Zealand studies have previously suggested a correlation with asthma.

Auckland Medical School researches are now studying the relationship between selenium and prostate cancer rates among men.

Professor Lynne Ferguson, who heads the research, says early results show the health of the population may be suffering from low blood selenium levels.

Professor Ferguson said that in the trial of 50 Auckland men it appeared those getting selenium were benefiting. But there were many variables to be excluded from the data, such eating habits, as 40 per cent of cancers could be related to diet. Good sources of selenium include meat, fish, eggs, and sunflower seeds. Unfortunately, fruit and vegetables grown in local soils might not have taken up selenium.

Professor Ferguson has been taking selenium supplements since 1999 in the recommended form of selenomethionine. She said other colleagues were raising their selenium intake to at least the recommended dose of between 55mcg to 60mcg per day.

Leading international selenium researcher Professor Gerhard Schrauzer, who also supplements his diet, told the Herald he had not had a chronic disease.

Professor Schrauzer, 70, said selenium-rich countries such as Japan had little prostate cancer, but in New Zealand prostate, lung and breast cancer rates were high.

Source, New Zealand Herald, Wednesday 20 November 2002, by Angela Gregory

Footnote from Ideal Health

The following products are all useful Selenium supplements:

Enzogenol High Potency with ACE and Selenium
Enzogenol with ACE and Selenium
Mineral Power
Multi-Vite
Protech Prostate Formula
Selenium
Seleno Met
Self Test Mineral & Toxic Element Test Kit
Vitamin E 100 IU with Selenium

Related health information can be found here:

Antioxidants
Bronchitis
Cancer
DIM Plus to assist in cancer prevention
Foods to help detoxification
Green Tea as a medicinal beverage
Immunity
Lyprinol - a Green Lipped Mussel extract to assist with arthritis
Prostate
Pycnogenol - a powerful antioxidant from pine tree extract

Related articles can be found here:

Dietary Changes Can Lower Colon Cancer Risk

Dietary Fiber Lowers Colon Cancer Risk

Esophageal and Gastric Cancer in Population Tied to a Few Main Risk Factors

High Dairy Product Intake Associated With an Increased Testicular Cancer Risk

Revised ACS Guidelines for Nutrition, Exercise for Cancer Survivors

Saw Palmetto Extract Effective in Treating Chronic Prostatitis

Second Prostate Cancer Gene Found

Organic Ketchup Protects Against Cancer

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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