Several studies suggest that higher selenium intake may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In one study, the risk of prostate cancer in men who took 200 mcg of selenium daily was one-third of that for men who took a placebo. However, selenium supplements may be useful only in men who are selenium-deficient.
One food-based way to get selenium inexpensively is by taking high-selenium nutritional yeast, available at most nutritional stores. Brazil nuts have so much selenium that you can get your daily dose with just one or two a day. Other plant foods, including whole grains, garlic and onions, may contain useful amounts depending on where they are grown.
