Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Lycopene, selenium, and vitamin E — insurance against prostate cancer

Researchers at Harvard University Medical School reported last month that for many men, deficiencies in certain antioxidants are a recipe for prostate cancer.

One of the body’s important antioxidants is an enzyme called MnSOD (‘manganese superoxide dismutase’). Found in the energy-extracting apparatus of each cell, MnSOD is responsible for neutralizing destructive free radicals that are produced during the metabolism of sugars and fats. It seems that about 25% of the male population has a form of MnSOD that is very sensitive to the levels of certain other antioxidants — selenium, lycopene, and vitamin E, for example. Men with this variant of MnSOD (‘MnSOD AA’) stand a good chance of developing prostate cancer if they are also deficient in any of these antioxidants. Furthermore, prostate cancer in these individuals is likely to be fast-growing and aggressive.

Since there is not yet a routine test for this variant of the MnSOD gene, you probably won’t be able to find out whether you are one of the 25% of men who carry it. Nevertheless, you’ll not go wrong if you simply assume that you are, and therefore supplement with selenium, lycopene, and vitamin E on a daily basis. Think of it as really cheap insurance against a possible personal disaster.

Links to news article:

Antioxidant blood levels key to MnSOD gene

Link to research report:

Manganese superoxide dismutase polymorphism, prediagnostic antioxidant status, and risk of clinical significant prostate cancer.

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LifeLink carries selenium as Sodium Selenate in 100 mg and 200 mg capsules; we carry Lycopene in 10 mg and 200 mg softgels; we carry Vitamin E in 400 i.u. softgels, and with tocotrienols in 34 mg softgels.