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Low blood levels of the mineral selenium
may mean a man has an increased risk of prostate cancer.
A number of studies have indicated that
selenium intake offers some protection from prostate cancer.
And the new findings support the hypothesis that supplemental
selenium may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Selenium is a trace mineral found in foods
such as Brazil nuts and walnuts. It acts as an antioxidant,
helping to neutralize byproducts
of normal metabolism called free radicals, which
can damage cells and contribute to cancer.
In the current study, the researchers
evaluated selenium levels in blood samples from 52 men with
prostate cancer. These men had provided blood samples before
they were diagnosed with prostate cancer and again after their
diagnosis. This group was compared with 96 otherwise healthy
men who had periodically had their blood selenium levels measured.
The investigators found that prostate
cancer risk was significantly higher in the group of men with
the lowest selenium blood levels, compared with
the groups with higher levels.
Low selenium is associated with a 4- to
5-fold increased risk of prostate cancer.
Low selenium levels remained a risk factor
even after the researchers took into account other factors
such as age, smoking and alcohol use.
The Journal
of Urology December 2001;166:2034-2038
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