Cases of prostate cancer were 63 per cent fewer, colon cancers were 58 per cent down and lung cancers 46 per cent fewer. The trial was carried out by Professor Larry Clark, the world's leading authority on selenium and cancer. The results were so impressive that he decided to widen the study internationally and also, use more people. The average intake in the standard British diet is now less than a third of that of the average American. A decline in the consumption of bread, a main source of selenium, and the trend towards using European rather than North American wheat which has more of the mineral, is to blame for the fall in the British diet.
Selenium is an antioxidant which prevents cells in the body from damage.
It also improves the immune system. Researchers have applied for funds to the EU, the US government and an unnamed British cancer charity. The actual selenium taken in the trial will be the same as in Professor Clark's first experiment - SelenoPrecise, produced by Pharma Nord. Only in amounts around 1000mcgs does it produce side-effects such as nausea, vomiting and hair loss.