The effect of selenium supplementation on the recurrence of different types of skin cancers was studied in seven dermatology clinics in the U.S. from 1983 through the early 1990s. Taking a daily supplement containing 200 μg of selenium did not affect recurrence of skin cancer, but significantly reduced the occurrence and death from total cancers. The incidence of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer was notably lower in the group given selenium supplements.

Research suggests that selenium affects cancer risk in two ways. As an anti-oxidant, selenium can help protect the body from damaging effects of free radicals. Selenium may also prevent or slow tumor growth. Certain breakdown products of selenium are believed to prevent tumor growth by enhancing immune cell activity and suppressing development of blood vessels to the tumor.

However, not all studies have shown a relationship between selenium status and cancer. In 1982, over 60,000 participants of the Nurse’s Health Study with no history of cancer submitted toenail clippings for selenium analysis. Toenails are thought to reflect selenium status over the previous year. After three and a half years of data collection, researchers compared toenail selenium levels of nurses with and without cancer. Those nurses with higher levels of selenium in their toenails did not have a reduced risk of cancer.

Two long-term studies, the SU.VI.MAX study in France and the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) in the United States and Canada, investigated whether selenium combined with at least one other dietary supplement could reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

The SU.VI.MAX study examined the effects of a supplement package containing moderate doses of vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, zinc, and selenium versus placebo on the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Among the 5,141 men enrolled, those randomized to the supplements that began the study with a normal PSA (prostate specific antigen) level at baseline had their risk of prostate cancer reduced by half. Among the men whose PSA levels were elevated at baseline, however, use of the supplements was associated with an increased incidence of prostate cancer of borderline statistical significance compared to placebo.

The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) was a very large randomized clinical trial begun in 2001 specifically designed to determine whether 7-12 years of daily supplementation with selenium, with or without synthetic vitamin E (400 IU), reduces the number of new prostate cancers in healthy men (PSA ≤4 ng/ml at baseline).

The trial, which had enrolled >35,000 men, was discontinued in October 2008 when an analysis found that the supplements, taken alone or together for an average of 5.5 years, did not prevent prostate cancer. Study staff members will continue to monitor participants’ health for an additional 3 years.

If you experience sudden or excessive hair loss, or bald patches, you should visit the doctor to rule out vitamins and minerals deficiencies, thyroid concerns, and other health problems.
An unbalanced diet, especially one without enough protein, can cause temporary hair loss.

Women who are anemic often experience hair loss.
Include in your nutrition more food with high content of copper, zinc, vitamin B6, sulphur (MSM), selenium and biotin.
Be sure that you have adequate protein intake as protein which is necessary for hair growth.

Good sources of protein are fish, poultry, lean cuts of meat, beans, nuts, seeds, and soy. Eat enough amounts of meat, poultry, and fish that contain iron required for proper hair growth.
Nuts and seeds, for example almonds are excellent source of magnesium.
The outer skin of plants such as potatoes, cucumbers, green and red peppers and sprouts can.
Whole grains, vegetables, and fruits are good sources of essential nutrients and fibre.
Remember that nutrition is one factor of baldness because of lack of protein, vitamins and minerals that sustains the hair.

The key to proper mineral nutrition is balance. Minerals should not be eaten in amounts that greatly exceed needs. Some minerals are toxic in excessive amounts. Some minerals, when taken in excess, induce a relative deficiency of other minerals. For example, excessive sodium causes calcium losses. The body needs every one of the nutritional minerals. Deficiency of even one mineral should be avoided.
Like vitamins, we must get our minerals from our food. But minerals are not destroyed by heat in cooking or processing.

All minerals come from the soil, whether directly from plants, or indirectly from animals that eats plants. The minerals must exist in the soil in order for them to be absorbed by plants. Some agricultural regions are low in certain minerals. Organically grown plants may have a more complete spectrum of minerals.
Minerals are inorganic elements. Minerals are, however, susceptible to being leached out into cooking water that is discarded. Minerals may combine with other compounds in the body, but they retain their unique identity and do not change.