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Vitamin E: man's best friend?

Vegetarian Times, Oct, 2001 by Maria Rabat

Good news may be on the way for men, in the form of two utterly ordinary supplements: vitamin E and selenium. Within the last few years, several major studies have shown that these nutrients may protect against prostate cancer, the number-two cancer among men. (Lung cancer tops the list.)

The effects have been so encouraging that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has just launched a huge study of its own. The goal is to determine if taking E and/or selenium definitely helps prevent the disease.

Called, unsurprisingly, the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT, the study will take 12 years and involve over 32,000 men, ages 55 and older. They'll be split into four groups: those getting just E; just selenium; both or placebos.

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Vitamin E and selenium are antioxidants that have long been heralded for their ability to neutralize troublemaking free radicals--compounds associated with accelerated aging and disease. They are considered especially effective together, particularly against cancer and heart disease.

Vitamin E is found naturally in wheat germ, corn, many nuts and seeds, leafy greens and vegetable oils--but it's difficult to get in large quantities in the diet. For selenium, vegetarians must depend on whole grains and nuts, which usually aren't super-rich sources (although just one Brazil nut contains an astounding 120 micrograms--far more than a day's supply).

The SELECT trial is using reasonably big doses: 400 milligrams of vitamin E (the RDA for men is 10) and 200 micrograms of selenium (for men over 50, the RDA is 70). Many people already take this much selenium daily--it's the amount that appeared both safe and surprisingly effective against several kinds of cancer, including prostate, in a ground-breaking study done a few years ago. Likewise, taking this much E daily is common and widely considered safe.

This is a vitally important study and the kind of supplement research consumers crave. However, men who don't want to wait 12 years for the results should talk to their doctor about taking both antioxidants. For most people, the doses involved are highly unlikely to do any harm. And could be a lifesaver.

Vitamin E: man's best friend?

Vegetarian Times, Oct, 2001 by Maria Rabat

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