SELENIUM & BOWEL CANCER
Evidence for the anti-cancer effects of cereal foods has been reviewed by Dr Graeme McIntosh of the CSIRO. He observes that reduction of colorectal cancer in the order of 30% to 40% has been found for people eating wholegrain or wholemeal cereal foods as part of their regular diet (McIntosh, 2001). The combined effects of fibre, phytate, beta-glucan, folate, vitamin E, various phytosterols and other phytochemicals, along with Se and zinc are likely to be responsible. Wheat is probably the most important dietary source of Se for the Australian population (Lyons et al, 2003). A US study using rat models of colon carcinogenesis found that high-Se wheat was more effective than high-Se broccoli, selenite or selenomethionine at inhibiting colon cancer precursors (Finley & Davis, 2001). [Tell me more about biofortification of cereals with Selenium]
Most cohort studies have found an association between low Se status and increased risk of colorectal cancer (Waters et al, 2004). Furthermore, as is the case for most cancers, most published case-control studies have found cases to have lower Se status than controls. Typical is the Carolina, USA study of Russo et al (1997), who found mean plasma Se of 107 µg/l for cases and 120 µg/l for control. Individuals with plasma Se in the lowest 25% had four times the risk of bowel cancer of those in the top 25% of plasma Se. A similar finding came from a cross-sectional study of 101 individuals undergoing sequential colonoscopies in Arizona (Clark et al, 1993).
Waters DJ, Chiang, Cooley DM, Morris JS 2004. Making sense of sex and supplements: differences in the anticarcinogenic effects of selenium in men and women. Mut Res 551(1-2): 91-107.
Laucke Flour Mills Pty Ltd
PO Box 200 Strathalbyn SA 5255
E-mail: bread@laucke.com.au
Phone: (08) 8536 5555
Fax: (08) 8536 3636
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