Research
Micronutrients & recovery
Selenium supplementation may offer protective effects against certain cancers (particularly prostate and gastrointestinal) and improve male fertility, but results are complex and depend on baseline status and genotype.
While selenium is important for health, its role in cancer prevention and fertility is complex. Do not self-prescribe high-dose selenium for cancer prevention without medical advice, as the benefits are not guaranteed and depend on your current status and genetics.
ModerateConditionalMEDIUM confidence
The relationships between selenium intake/status and various health outcomes, in particular gastrointestinal and prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and male fertility, are reviewed...
Why this rating
The paper states results are 'difficult to interpret' and relationships are 'complex', indicating mixed or inconclusive evidence for some outcomes.
Source
Selenium in Human Health and Disease
Susan J. Fairweather‐Tait et al. · Antioxidants and Redox Signaling · 2010
DOI 10.1089/ars.2010.3275
narrative_reviewCited 1,289×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Selenium status is a critical determinant of health outcomes, with deficiency linked to specific diseases (Keshan, Kashin-Beck) and toxicity causing adverse effects, while optimal intake supports antioxidant defense and thyroid function.Good
- Selenium deficiency is causally linked to Keshan disease (endemic cardiomyopathy) and potentially Kashin-Beck disease (osteoarthropathy), particularly in regions with low soil selenium.Good
Related findings · Micronutrients & recovery
- Trans fats (industrial trans-fatty acids) are unequivocally harmful and should be completely avoided as they raise LDL-C, TGs, and Apo B while lowering HDL-C.Strong
- For menopausal women with osteoporosis, first-line pharmacologic therapies include alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid, and denosumab for the prevention of hip, nonvertebral, and vertebral fractures.Strong
- Folic acid fortification of flour prevents neural tube birth defects, and mandatory fortification is more effective than voluntary supplementation alone.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →