– The study showed higher intakes of the mineral selenium and folic acid (a B-vitamin) were associated with a 50% reduction in colon cancer incidence
Study Design
The study was a large, population-based, case-control study including 1,691 subjects with colon cancer
Results: – Individuals with Selenium blood levels above 140 mcg/L and Folic Acid intake above 354 mcg per day, on average, showed a 50% reduction in risk of colon cancer.
Reference: Connelly-Frost A et al (U of North Carolina, Chapel Hill). Selenium, folate, and colon cancer. Nutr Cancer, 2009; 61(2): 165-78.(2009)
How To Achieve These Levels:
To get your selenium blood levels above 140 mcg/L you typically need a supplement each day that contains about 100 mcg per day. The typical intake of selenium from the diet is an additional 35-55 mcg per day. Thus, from diet and supplementation everyone can achieve this important blood level. This is one of the reasons I included 100 mcg in the Adeeva Multiple Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
To ingest over 354 mcg of folic acid per day, most people accomplish this by taking a supplement containing meaningful levels of folic acid. The Adeeva Multiple Vitamin and Mineral contains 400 mcg of folic acid.
Most people only consume about 190 mcg of folic acid from food each day.
Previous studies have also shown that selenium and folic acid were associated with a lower incidence of colon cancer. This is important because colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in our society and the National Cancer Institute indicates that up to 90% of cases are preventable through better nutritional practices.
How Selenium Protects Us
Selenium by-products (methlylated selenium) have been shown to have direct killing effects on emerging cancer cells and encourages them to commit suicide (programmed cell death) – experimental studies
Selenium also activates the antioxidant enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase, which quenches free radicals.
How Folic Acid Protects Us
Folic acid is required for DNA replication with each cell division. A deficiency in folic acid leads to weak DNA strands (hypomethylation) that break easily forming mutations, which can trigger cancer development.
The cells that line the colon turn over every few days, and thus, require adequate folic acid for DNA synthesis and integrity. As such, folic acid deficiency puts colon cells at high risk for cancerous changes to occur
Overall Colon Cancer Prevention Program
10 Steps To Prevent Colon Cancer:
Reduce or eliminate intake of high animal fat foods including all red meat, pork and high fat dairy products (exception of fish). You should also avoid fried foods, pan-fried foods, and foods high in transfats.
Consume more fiber from whole grains, beans and peas, fruits, vegetables, and consider daily supplementation with 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds.
Remain physically activity as people who exercise regularly have been shown to have a lower incidence of colon cancer.
Ingest 1500 mg of calcium and at least 1200 IU of vitamin D each day from food and supplements. Remember that you can easily achieve these levels by taking the Adeeva Multiple Vitamin and Mineral each day, along with the Adeeva Bone Support Formula (2 caplets).
Ingest 100 mcg of selenium and 400 mcg of folic acid per day (The Adeeva Multiple Vitamin and Mineral enables you to succeed with this strategy as well)
Reduce your intake of alcoholic beverages to no more than one drink in any 24-hour period (one drink = 5 oz glass of wine; 12 oz beer; 1 oz hard liquor)
Keep your waist circumference below 36 inches if you are a man and below 33 inches if you are a woman.
Get some additional omega-3 and anti-inflammatory fats from a supplement containing Borage, Flaxseed and Fish oil (e.g. Adeeva Nature’s Essential Oils)
Avoid foods containing nitrates (e.g. processed meats) and don’t char your foods if you Bar BQ. And don’t Bar BQ red meat or pork products.
Get a colonoscopy if you are over 50 years old. If a first-degree relative died of colon cancer then get your first colonoscopy by age 40. A colonoscopy not only screens for early detection of colon cancer, but also enables the doctor to remove any polyps or suspicious lesions during the procedure. So, it can also be a therapeutic procedure.
