Effect of selenium on large intestine and lung cancer in humans - part II

Background
Persistently high incidence of ‘diseases of affluence’ (including cancer) motivates numerous research teams to look for causes of morbidity, as well as to search for preventive methods and effective therapeutic measures. The paper aims to present the literature on effects of selenium (Se) on prevention of gastrointestinal and lung cancer.

Material and methods
Based on national and international literature, the paper presents information on the role of selenium (Se) in prevention of cancer – with special consideration given to gastrointestinal and lung cancer.

Results
The results of national and international research show the importance of selenium in prevention and treatment of cancerous diseases, including digestive tract cancer and lung cancer. Numerous studies have shown that the risk of cancer for people with low selenium levels is twice as high as for people with high levels of selenium in blood serum. The most prominent relationship between low selenium level in serum and cancer is observed in gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer in women, and prostate cancer.

Conclusions
Many clinical and experimental studies carried out nationally and internationally gathered evidence which indicate the vital role played by selenium in prevention and treatment of diseases – especially of cancer. It should be emphasised that the intake of selenium in amounts necessary for proper functioning - given numerous deficiencies (first in the soil, then in food products coming from selenium-deficient soil) – is merely the first step, as it has already been proven in numerous publications that carbohydrates (especially simple sugars, sweets, cakes, etc.) ‘destroy’ selenium in the human body.