The Claim
Daily supplementation with 400 IU of vitamin E and 200 mcg of selenium for an average of 5.5 years in healthy men aged 50 and older does not reduce the incidence of prostate cancer.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Taking 400 IU of vitamin E and 200 mcg of selenium every day for about 5.5 years does not lower the chance of developing prostate cancer in healthy men aged 50 and older.
See the scientific wording
Combined supplementation with 400 IU of vitamin E and 200 mcg of selenium daily for an average of 5.5 years in healthy men aged 50 and older (55 for non-African Americans) does not reduce prostate cancer incidence, based on data from the SELECT trial involving 35,151 participants, indicating that the combination offers no preventive benefit.
Taking vitamin E and selenium daily does not change how prostate cells fix damaged DNA or respond to male hormones, so cancer risk stays the same.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Vitamin E and selenium do not decrease prostate cancer incidence: vitamin E may actually increase it
Taking vitamin E and selenium together every day for over five years didn't help healthy older men avoid prostate cancer — and vitamin E alone might even make it more likely. So, the combo doesn't work as a preventive measure.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.