Antioxidants May Boost Colon Health, According To New Study...

Further Evidence Supports RegularIntake Of Antioxidants,
Carotenoids, Minerals And Vitamins Are Valuable For Cancer
Risk Reduction

Specifically, Selenium-based supplements may prevent the
development of new polyps in people with a history of colon
polyp formation, says a new study.

400 people participated in the study, in which they received
either placebo or an antioxidant-rich supplement containing
selenomethionnine, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E. At the end
of the study people in the antioxidant group experienced a 40
per cent reduction in the incidence of new polyps of the large bowel.

"Our study is the first intervention trial specifically designed to
evaluate the efficacy of the selenium-based antioxidant compound
on the risk of developing metachronous adenomas," said
researchers from the National Institute for Cancer Research
in Genoa, Italy.

The study represents another important step on the ladder of
supporting the potential anti-cancer effects of the mineral. The
research findings are being presented at the American Association
for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research
Conference, held in Houston.

Adenomatous polyps (or adenoma) are benign lesions of the large
bowel that, in time, could progress to cancer, explain the researchers.
Even though only a small proportion of adenomas will develop into
cancer, it is said that almost 70 to 80 per cent of colorectal cancer
stems from an adenoma.

The research team randomly assigned the 411 participants aged
between 25 and 75 to receive either placebo or an antioxidant
supplement. The supplement provided daily doses of 200
micrograms of selenomethionnine, 30 milligrams of zinc, 6,000 IU
of vitamin A, 180 milligrams of vitamin C, and 30 milligrams of
vitamin E. All the participants had already undergone surgery to
remove one or more colorectal adenomas.

"Our results indicated that individuals who consumed antioxidants
had a 40 per cent reduction in the incidence of metachronous
adenomas of the large bowel," said the researchers "It is particularly
noteworthy that the benefit observed after the conclusion of the trial
persisted through 13 years of follow up."

Selenium and Prostate Health...

A greater body of science exists for Selenium and prostate health.
A number of studies, most notably the Nutritional Prevention of
Cancer study and the Alpha-tocopherol, Beta-carotene Cancer
Prevention study, have reported that the nutrients, alone or in
combination, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

With over half a million new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed
every year, and the cancer directly causing over 200,000 deaths,
potential preventive measures are highly desirable
.