The role of Selenium to prevent Prostate Cancer and HIV

The “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in 2007 has published a study evaluating selenium concentration in the blood and the risk of developing prostate cancer. This study has also taken into account the intake of vitamin E either separately or as part of a multi-vitamin formula. In addition, this eight year, controlled study evaluated over 1600 male participants between the ages of 55 to 74. The results from this study showed that a high concentration of Selenium and vitamin E in the serum were associated with a decreased probability of developing prostate cancer.

Since prostate cancer is a widespread cancer in society, it is reasonable to assume that achieving a higher level of selenium and vitamin E by taking proper and safe dosages of these nutrients is recommended to the aging male population.

Another study which was published in the “Archives of Internal Medicine” in 2007 evaluated the relationship between daily intake of selenium supplements and the progression of HIV virus replication. This nine month study, involving 450 people aged 18 to 45 with HIV revealed that the participants who were taking 200 mg of selenium had a higher level of selenium in their serum, with a decreased HIV viral load. At the same time, they were observed to have higher level of CD4+. The CD4+ is a specific lymphocyte which plays a vital role in the immune system. The importance of this lymphocyte is its correlation with the HIV virus; as the HIV infection progresses the lymphocyte count decreases. Participants with higher level of selenium actually had increased levels of CD4+. This study urges the conclusion that taking proper and safe doses of selenium supplements—up to 200 mg a day—may be a good part of the nutritional support for patients suffering from the HIV infection.