It has been well documented in past clinical trials that the antioxidants selenium and Vitamin E decrease the risk for prostate cancer. However, it is not known if a combination antioxidant and mineral supplement decreases the risk of prostate cancer. A report published in the March issue of the International Journal of Cancer investigates.
A large-scale trial with over 3,600 participants was conducted over an 8 year period. Researchers measured the effects of an antioxidant and mineral supplement containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc. The trial measured the incidence of prostate cancer as well as serum tumor markers for prostate cancer such as the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen).
Overall there were 103 documented cases of prostate cancer in the cohort. The antioxidant mineral supplementation did not decrease the risk of prostate cancer overall. Supplementation did decrease the risk of prostate cancer in men with a normal baseline PSA, but may be associated with increased risk in the men in the study with a high baseline PSA. The supplement did not affect the serum tumor marker PSA.
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