Recommendations
Rationale
Notes
Selenium
100-200 mcg/day
Deficiency increases cancer risk; one trial showed supplemental selenium reduced cancer deaths (lung, colon and prostate cancer) by 50 percent.
If you take H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors, you may need additional selenium.
Vitamin E
200-800 IU d-alpha (natural) tocopherols/day
This powerful antioxidant is not plentiful in foods. Studies have shown it to significantly reduce colon and prostate cancer risks.
Discuss use with your health care practitioner if you take aspirin or prescription blood thinners.
Antioxidants
Take a multivitamin complete with antioxidants.
Free radicals oxidize cells and cause damage that can sometimes lead to malignancy. Antioxidants can help interrupt this process.
The body produces its own antioxidants to keep this natural process in check. To augment, eat antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
