Selenium for Prostate Health

Typical dose

Recommended dose

Not recommended for prostate purposes

Expected timeframe

n/a

Protocol

form

L-selenomethionine was the form used in SELECT; the earlier NPC trial used selenium-enriched yeast

duration

SELECT ran a median of 5.5 years with follow-up beyond 7 years

co factor

Evidence indicates no benefit and possible harm. The hypothesis came from the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trial, in which selenium reduced prostate cancer incidence as a secondary outcome. SELECT was designed to test it properly and was stopped early for futility: no reduction in prostate cancer, a non-significant increase in prostate cancer in the vitamin E arm, and increased type 2 diabetes risk in the selenium arm. Subsequent analysis found that in men with high baseline selenium, supplementation increased the risk of high-grade prostate cancer by around 90%.

titration

Not applicable - the studied dose showed no benefit and signals of harm

starting dose

Not recommended. SELECT tested 200 mcg/day of L-selenomethionine, alone and with vitamin E, in over 35,000 men

What the studies say

Less likely to help if