(Integrative Medicine) - A new study by researchers at Stanford University suggests that the trace mineral selenium may help prevent prostate cancer among older men. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among American men, accounting for more than 25% of all cases of cancer diagnosed in men each year. The study included 52 men with prostate cancer and 96 men without the condition. Men with the lowest selenium levels were 4 to 5 times more likely to contract prostate cancer than men with higher levels. Selenium levels also significantly decreased with age. "These results support the hypothesis that supplemental selenium may reduce the risk of prostate cancer," the researchers conclude. "Because plasma selenium decreases with patient age, supplementation may be particularly beneficial to older men."

References

Brooks JD, Metter EJ, Chan D, et al. Plasma selenium level before diagnosis and the risk of prostate cancer development. J Urol. 2001;166:2034-2038.