Selenium + Vitamin E
Can you take Selenium and Vitamin E together?
Yes, at moderate doses — but high doses of either haven't prevented cancer.
What to do. Stick to modest doses; don't megadose for cancer prevention.
Mechanism
Complementary antioxidant systems
Selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase and vitamin E protect membranes in complementary ways. In the SELECT trial, 400 IU vitamin E and 200 mcg selenium did not prevent prostate cancer, and vitamin E alone slightly increased it.
Evidence: Mechanism-based — Plausible biological mechanism with little direct human outcome data.
Timing
A day with Selenium and Vitamin E
- 08:00
Breakfast
with meal
Taking more than these two?
Add the rest of your stack and your medications for a complete check.
Buying guide
What to look for on the label
Selenium
- Selenomethionine or selenium yeast
- Count selenium in your multivitamin too
Vitamin E
- Natural d-alpha-tocopherol or mixed tocopherols
- Moderate doses — the SELECT trial linked 400 IU/day to higher prostate cancer risk
Related
Other interactions
Iodine + Selenium
Both are needed for thyroid hormone
Vitamin C + Vitamin E
Vitamin C recycles vitamin E
Vitamin E + Vitamin K2
High-dose vitamin E antagonizes vitamin K
Omega-3 (Fish Oil) + Vitamin E
Vitamin E protects omega-3s from oxidation
Ginkgo + Vitamin E
Two supplements that affect bleeding