Presented by

Donald J. Lisk
Professor of Toxicology, Toxic Chemicals Laboratory

Tuesday, February 1, 2000
3:30-4:30 PM
135 Emerson Hall

Abstract

Much has been written in the popular press about the inhibition of cancer by the consumption of vegetables such as garlic and the protection offered by dietary selenium. Our studies have shown that the growth of garlic and other vegetables with selenium fertilization results in a dietary supplement that exhibits a 50 to 70 per cent reduction in breast tumors when fed to rats that have been dosed with a mammary carcinogen. The same degree of protection is offered by some foods that are natively high in selenium. Possible mechanisms of protection will be discussed.