| SELENIUM
Description
Selenium is an essential mineral found in minute amounts
in the body. It is one of the essential body substances
that can be used in a preventive manner for many diseases,
including cancer, arteriosclerosis, stroke, cirrhosis, arthritis
and emphysema. Selenium works closely with vitamin E in
some of its metabolic actions and in the promotion of normal
body growth and fertility. Selenium is a natural antioxidant
that protects against free radicals and appears to preserve
elasticity of tissue that becomes less elastic with aging.
Selenium improves certain energy producing cells, including
those of the heart, by ensuring adequate oxygen supply.
The selenium content of food is dependent upon the extent
of its presence in the soil, whether directly, as in plant
foods, or indirectly, as in animal products whose selenium
levels are derived from feed. Even if selenium levels are
adequate in the soil, the sulfur contained in widely used
fertilizers and sulfuric compounds found in acid rain inhibit
plant absorption of the mineral.
Selenium compounds in foods are easily reduced by heat,
processing, and cooking. Refining of grains reduces selenium
content, by 50 to 75 percent, boiling by 45 percent.
Good food sources of selenium are brewer’s yeast,
organ and muscle meats, fish and shellfish, grains, cereals,
and dairy products.
Absorption and Storage
The liver and kidneys contain four to five times as much
selenium as do the muscles and other tissues. Selenium is
normally excreted in the urine; its presence in the feces
is an indication of improper absorption. Because it binds
with toxic metals, the ingested selenium may be assimilated.
Dosage and Toxicity
The National Research Council recommends 50 to 200 micrograms.
The average “good” diet may contain only 35
to 60 micrograms per day.
Doses should not exceed 700 to 1110 micrograms daily for
long periods of time unless under the supervision of a physician.
Male sperm cells contain high amount of selenium. Substantial
amounts are lost during sexual intercourse. For this reason,
selenium requirements may be higher for men than for women.
Male sperm cells contain high amount of selenium. Substantial
amounts are lost during sexual intercourse. For this reason,
selenium requirements may be higher for men than for women.
High levels of selenium in soil have caused toxicity and
some deaths in animals who grazed on the grains. Selenium
also contaminates water supplies located near irrigated
land. Selenium intoxication has been reported as a result
of industrial inhalation.
Toxic symptoms are loss of hair, teeth, and nails; dermatitis;
lethargy; and paralysis. Severe overdose produces fever,
an increased respiratory and capillary rate, gastrointestinal
distress, myelitis, and sometimes death.
Selenium overdoses can interfere with fluorides assimilation,
which helps to prevent tooth decay.
Deficiency Effects and Symptoms
A deficiency of selenium may lead to premature aging. This
is because selenium preserves tissue elasticity.
A defective selenium absorption mechanism can result in
neuronal ceroid lipfuscinosis, a disease that accumulates
pigment in nerve cells and is characterized by mental retardation,
diminished vision, nerve disorders,, and eventually death.
Selenium is essential for reproduction. Animal tests reveal
that selenium deficient rats produced immobile sperm and
most of the sperm were broken near the tail. Other studies
show that selenium deficiency results in infertility.
Studies in Australia show that a selenium deficiency may
relate to crib death.
Beneficial Effect on Ailments
Selenium when combined with protein is beneficial in treating
kwashiorkor, a protein deficiency disease.
Dr. Julian E. Spallholz of the Veterans Administration Hospital
in Long Beach, California, has demonstrated through experiments
with mice that selenium may increase resistance to disease
by increasing the number of antibodies that neutralize toxins.
Selenium supplements enabled mice to produce significantly
more antibodies than those not given the trace element.
Archives of Environmental Health, September/October 1976,
reports that in a study of the relationship between cancer
incidence and soil distribution of selenium levels showed
significantly lower overall male cancer death rates. Also
in these areas, in those organ systems involved with the
assimilating, metabolism, and excretion of selenium.
Selenium may improve energy levels, prevent and relieve
arthritis, slow down the aging process by attacking free
radicals, and prevent cataracts.
It is an important element that protects against high blood
pressure, stroke, heart attack, and hypertensive kidney
damage. Selenium with Vitamin E has been used successfully
in reducing or eliminating recurrent angina attacks and
increasing strength and vigor and improving electrocardiograms
in heart patients.
It has been used successfully in improving the condition
of persons with cystic fibrosis. Muscular dystrophy patients
respond positively to selenium and vitamin E. Research I
the early 1970’s has proved that selenium protects
against radiation. It also binds to metals such as mercury,
cadmium, silver, and thallium, preventing their absorption
in the body and aiding their excretion.
Selenium May Be Beneficial For The Following Aliments:
| |
|
| Body Member: |
Ailment |
| Blood/Circulatory
system: |
Hypertension
Stroke |
| Gland: |
Cystic fibrosis |
| Heart: |
Angina pectoris |
| Joint: |
Arthritis |
| Muscles: |
Muscular dystrophy |
| Reproductive
system: |
Infertility |
| General: |
Cancer
Crib death
Kwashiorkor |
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