Vitamin and mineral supplements are often combined to provide optimal nutritional benefit. Although vitamin E and selenium were once thought to prevent certain types of cancer when taken together, research has yet to prove their effectiveness. Nevertheless, both vitamin E and selenium are important for overall health, and you should obtain the recommended daily allowances of each for optimal nutrition and health benefit.
Antioxidant Qualities
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that it is stored in the body's fatty tissues. It also has antioxidant properties, which means that it has the ability to protect the body against harmful substances known as free radicals. Free radicals may contribute to such chronic diseases as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Selenium is a mineral and also has antioxidant properties. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, selenium's antioxidant potential is particularly strong when it is combined with vitamin E.
Cancer Prevention
Dietary intake of vitamin E and selenium was once thought to play an important role in the prevention of prostate cancer. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT, a three-year study funded by the National Cancer Institute, investigated these claims in depth. At the end of the study, none of the participants who took vitamin E and selenium supplements were less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who did not.
Heart Health
Vitamin E and selenium may also provide benefits for cardiovascular health. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, supplementation with selenium, vitamin E and other antioxidants, like beta carotene, may contribute to lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels. A 1998 study published in "Circulation Research," the journal of the American Heart Association, demonstrated that supplementation with vitamin E and selenium or vitamin C was more beneficial than vitamin E alone. However, these studies were done on animals and may not have the same results when attempted with human subjects.
Sources and Recommended Intake
Both selenium and vitamin E are found in a number of common food sources. These include wheat germ, brewer's yeast, liver, eggs, nuts and whole grains. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the average adult needs 22.5 IU of vitamin E, or 28.5 IU for breastfeeding women. The recommended intake for selenium is 55 mcg per day, or 60 mcg for pregnant women and 70 mcg for breastfeeding women. As with any dietary supplement, consult your doctor before taking vitamin E or selenium supplements on a regular basis.
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