Do selenium and vitamin E really increase the risk of prostate cancer?

Reference
Design
Participants
Study Parameters Assessed
Key Findings
- The rate of prostate cancer detection was greater in all treatment groups when compared with placebo but was statistically significant only in the vitamin E alone group.
- Prostate cancer risk did not increase when vitamin E and selenium were taken together.
- Those who took vitamin E alone were at a 17% higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
- Vitamin E alone or with selenium did not reduce the risk of other cancers or diseases.
Practice Implications
Evidence indicates other vitamers of E play a more prominent role in reducing the risk of cancer, including prostate cancer.
Lesson
References
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2. Christen S, Woodall AA, Shigenaga MK, Southwell-Keely PT, Duncan MW, Ames BN. Gamma-tocopherol traps mutagenic electrophiles such as NO(X) and complements alpha–tocopherol: physiological implications. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1997;94(7):3217-3222.
3. Helzlsouer KJ, Huang HY, Alberg AJ, et al. Association between alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, selenium, and subsequent prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000;92(24):2018-2023.
4. Huang HY, Alberg AJ, Norkus EP, et al. Prospective study of antioxidant micronutrients in the blood and the risk of developing prostate cancer. Am J Epidemiol. 2003;157(4):335-344.
5. Barve A, Khor TO, Reuhl K, Reddy B, Newmark H, Kong AN. Mixed tocotrienols inhibit prostate carcinogenesis in TRAMP mice. Nutr Cancer. 2010;62(6):789-794