Higher blood levels of Selenium may reduce the incidence of skin cancer by about 60 per cent, according to a new study from Dutch and Australian researchers.

Writing in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, the researchers report that the mineral was associated with reduced risks of both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In the US, over 1.5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer very year. According to Cancer Research UK, a charity, over 76,000 cases of skin cancer were documented in 2005 but this is thought to under represent the problem.

“Relatively high serum Selenium levels of between 1.3 and 2.8 micromoles per liter were associated with approximately 60 decrease in subsequent tumor incidence of both BCC and SCC,” wrote the researchers.

Selenium is the Only Mineral that qualifies for an FDA Authorized Health Claim for General Cancer Reduction. (This Claim was sought by Dr. Joel Wallach BS., D.V.M., N.D.