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|
| Proper name |
Selenium (Elemental name, "Se") |
| Category |
Trace
Mineral |
| Functions |
Selenium is an essential component of the anti-oxidant enzyme, glutathione
peroxidase. Each molecule of the enzyme contains 4 atoms of selenium. Glutahione
peroxidase prevents lipid peroxidation, neutralizes hydrogen peroxide. These
actions all enhance immune function and help to prevent cancer, heart disease
and strokes. Selenium increases the activity of Vitamin E. Selenium increases
T lymphocytes and natural killer cell activity. Selenium reduces the toxicity
of the anti-cancer drug, Adriomycin, without reducing its' anti-tumor activity.
Selenium detoxifies the heavy metals mercury and cadmium. The enzyme,
deiodinase, which converts thyroid hormone (from T4) to the active form
(T3) is dependent on selenium. |
| RDA |
50
to 200 mcg per day for adults. |
| Therapeutic
dose |
200 to 400 mcg per day. |
| Deficiency symptoms |
Cardiomyopathy. The Keshan district of China had very high rates of childhood
cardiomyopathy until it was discovered that the soil there is deficient
in selenium. Supplementation with selenium solved the problem. Cancer.
Sore muscles, fragile red blood cells, weak immune system, heart and pancreas.
Selenium deficiency is generally caused by selenium-poor soils and food
processing. Brown rice has 15 times more selenium than white rice. Whole
wheat bread has twice the selenium as white bread. Mother's milk has 6 times
more selenium than formula. |
| Toxicity |
Selenium has a lower margin of safety than most nutrients. Though no human
deaths have been attributed to selenium overdose, deaths have occurred in
livestock. Daily doses in excess of 500 mg per day are not recommended unless
under the supervision of a physician. Symptoms of toxicity include; loss
of hair and nails, garlic breath odor (in absence of eating garlic), skin
lesions, nervous and digestive system disorders. |
| Best
forms
|
Selenomethionine
|
| Food
sources |
Garlic,
seafood, legumes, whole grains, eggs, liver and dairy products. The odor
of garlic is due in large part to the odor of selenium. |
| Lab
tests |
Hair
mineral analysis. |
| Drug
interactions |
Selenium is depleted by corticosteroids. |
| Nutrient interactions |
Selenium
works synergistically with Vitamin E. |
| Metabolism |
Selenium is stored
in all tissues except fat. It is most concentrated in the liver, kidney,
heart and spleen.
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