Selenium

This is an important nutrient in the cancer programme, due also to its anti-oxidant properties and the protection it affords the cell from oxidants and carcinogens. Selenium is irregularly distributed throughout the earth's soils, and epidemiological evidence shows that people living in high selenium areas have lower levels of cancer than those living in low selenium areas. In the UK, Norfolk show high selenium levels in the soil and has a low incidence of cancer. Studies of 34 American cities again confirm that high selenium levels in the diet corresponded with low cancer rates, the lowest rate occurring in Rapid City, South Dakota, which had the highest selenium rate of all the cities involved. Laboratory experiments on animals showed that increasing their selenium levels had a marked impact on the animals natural resistence to cancer, their production of antibodies being significantly increased. A report in Prevention magazine commented that in a study of 1,000 people, those with the lowest levels of selenium in their blood had the highest incidences of cancer. Selenium is clearly a vital nutrient in any anti-cancer regime, though it is not necessary, indeed not advisable that it should be taken in high doses. Supplements of selenium are best absorbed in the form of organic selenium yeast 100 mcgs to 200 mcgs daily being all that is required. Natural sources of selenium should also be included in the diet, principally brewers yeast and wheatgerm.