Evidence supporting the use of: Selenocysteine
For the body system: Prostate

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Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Selenocysteine is a selenium-containing amino acid that is incorporated into several selenoproteins important for antioxidant defense and redox regulation in the body. There is some scientific interest in the potential of selenium, and by extension selenocysteine, to support prostate health, mainly due to its role in antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidases. Oxidative stress is implicated in prostate disease, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. However, most clinical research has focused on selenium supplementation in general, not selenocysteine specifically. Large studies, such as the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), have failed to show a significant protective effect of selenium supplementation against prostate cancer in healthy men. Some observational studies have suggested an association between low selenium status and increased risk of prostate issues, but the evidence is inconsistent.

In summary, while there is a mechanistic rationale and some weak epidemiological support, high-quality clinical trials have not conclusively demonstrated that selenocysteine or selenium supplementation benefits the prostate. The evidence is not strong enough to recommend selenocysteine specifically for prostate health, and excessive selenium intake can have adverse effects. Therefore, the evidence rating is 2 out of 5.

More about Selenocysteine
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Products containing Selenocysteine

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