The mineral selenium proves itself as powerful anti-cancer medicine

Today, research shows selenium, especially when used in conjunction with vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, works to block chemical reactions that create free radicals in the body (which can damage DNA and cause degenerative change in cells, leading to cancer).

Selenium also helps stop damaged DNA molecules from reproducing. In other words, selenium acts to prevent tumors from developing. "It contributes towards the death of cancerous and pre-cancer cells. Their death appears to occur before they replicate, thus helping stop cancer before it gets started," says Dr. James Howenstine in A Physician's Guide to Natural Health Products That Work.

Selenium makes chemotherapy safer, more effective
In addition to preventing the onset of the disease, selenium has also been shown to aid in slowing cancer's progression in patients that already have it. According to the Life Extension Foundation, the use of selenium during chemotherapy in combination with vitamin A and vitamin E can reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. The mineral also helps "enhance the effectiveness of chemo, radiation, and hyperthermia while minimizing damage to the patient's normal cells; thus making therapy more of a 'selective toxin,'" says Patrick Quillin in Beating Cancer with Nutrition.

this is the link to the story
http://www.naturalnews.com/016446_selenium_cancer_food.html

By suziegirl
Posted October 4, 2009 at 8:36 am
Report post

I have read & heard that we should NOT take antioxidant supplements during chemo so i stopped Selenium along with the others...anyone have additional info?

By drawing3d
Posted October 4, 2009 at 10:18 am
Report post

Yes, 90% of us have heard the same old thing too.

Ask your doc if it's okay to eat foods like broccoli, blueberries, papayas, apples, brazil nuts, walnuts, oranges, spinach, etc.

If he says yes, then you can inform him that you would absorb and retain MORE Vitamins E, C, A and selenium including those "scary" little antioxidants they all warn us about when consuming those foods than you would by taking a pill...

Eat good healthy, fresh fruits and veggies, etc., and you are doing your body a real favor by helping stay strong before, during and after the chemo bomb :)

God bless!
Ellen

By Chum
Posted October 4, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Report post

A recent vitamin E/selenium test and found that in many cases it did no good and in other arms of the study it actually prompted more problems. One of my doctors, the head of ontological radiation at Johns Hopkins, told me about the findings some time ago and urged me to not take selenium. I had been an "unofficial" participant in the selenium trial - I found out what the dosage was to be and took that much myself every day. I "dropped out" of the study as soon as he told me.

I've found that many sites, like "natural news" give self-serving advice in what I think is an attempt to sell more product. Usually all it costs is money, but sometimes their information can be actually harmful (in this case) as well. When they advocate doing something and not doing what is the standard practice, they literally can kill you (i.e., don't go through surgery/radiation/standard chemo - just take shark's calcium).

Courage

Chum

By drawing3d
Posted October 4, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Report post

Hello Chum,

Please ask your doctor when you next see him to give you the source of that advice so you can pass it on.

My highly regarded complementary doctor (ex head of trauma care Memorial Sloan Ketterling in NYC) told me to specifically consume selenium daily to at least 200 mcg which I have chosen to do by consuming brazil nuts.

There was a long term study in 2001 regarding selenium and VitE and prostate cancer; it was determined that it did not lower prostate cancer incidences and may have worsened the situation for men. I would be curious if this is the study your doctor was referring to.

For lung cancer, according to these articles, the jury is still out...

Here's are the links:
April 28, 2009 http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp

December 09, 2008 http://www.cancernet.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/SELECTQandA

God bless,
Ellen

By Chum
Posted October 4, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Report post

You well may be right, since my doctor at JH was the one who treated me for prostate cancer. But the advice for natural sites seems appropriate. I'll check on the selenium study again. Thanks for checking on the accuracy.

Courage

Chum

By Barb267
Posted October 4, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Report post

My onc just wants me to eat a well rounded diet with lots of fresh veggies, fish, chicken, nuts, berries. Fruit is fine just don't overdo it. Also, cut back on the red meat. I do take a Vit D3 daily and that is about it for now.

Barb

By lbp08
Posted October 4, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Report post

Just before we left MDAnderson with my mom, my sisters and I contacted the N.M.D. that Tracyred had used with her mom. The stipulation he gave when mixing the chemo and vitamins/minerals was to stop all the suppliments 24 hours before her chemo (Cabo/Taxol/Avastin) and not to resume them until 48 hours after her treatment.
Bridget

By Roxy4B
Posted October 4, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Report post

Thanks for all your comments. My husband's doctor feels that you need vitamins and good nutrition to be able to survive the chemo. As far as selenium, it claims to improve the immune system that is damaged by chemo.

By suziegirl
Posted October 5, 2009 at 7:59 am
Report post

i think we are talking about 2 different things. I believe that we are urged to eat antioxidant - rich foods but NOT to take them in supplement form.

By bams
Posted October 13, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Report post

Chum and Ellen I am now confused...I eat brazil nuts everyday to get selenum into my system so is this a good thing or not, I am not understanding if this can do more harm then good...appreciate your replies
barbara

By bams
Posted October 13, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Report post

Welcome to Inspire!

Explore topics in this discussion:

11 replies

Add to the discussion

Help from Lung Cancer Alliance

You