Fwd: Selenium--Powerful Detox

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From: "JoAnn Guest" Thu, 30 Sep 2004 01:47:20 -0000 Selenium--Powerful DetoxSelenium--Powerful DetoxThe buildup of toxins in our bodies over the course of years oftenresult in degenerative diseases. Just as emotional traumas that have been buried for years tend to surface in midlife, asking that we examine and change our learnedbehavior, so too do physical symptoms surface to reveal the need forchange in how we care for our bodies.In either case, if we ignore the signals that something is amiss,that something requires our attention, we do so at our own peril.Denying pain inevitably leads to more profound pain. Unexamined fears eventually assume monstrous proportions.Clinging to habits that do

not support growth and life bind us instead to stagnation and death.Clearing accumulated toxins is believed to free the body from undueburden so that it is able to function better and regain the energynecessary to heal itself.Though fasting and cleansing may be one step, detoxification is nota single event but an ongoing process that supports the body'snaturalability to effectively dispel toxins on a daily basis.Part of that process is consciously limiting the toxins that enterthe body in the first place. Restricting or eliminating use of theusual culprits-- caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol, drugs, tobacco,synthetic or petroleum-based body products and household chemicals,is a good place to start.Eating an organic natural-foods diet, drinking sufficient amounts ofpure water, and getting regular exercise are actions that begin tofacilitate detoxification.Our bodies adjust best to gradual change,

so incorporating thesepractices into everyday life is recommended before embarking on amorestringent course for flushing toxins out of your system.The language of detoxification often suggests an attitude ofdeprivation, restriction, and penance -- as if fasting and cleansingare the price to be paid for poor choices, whether we made themyearsago or days ago. That attitude conjures images of a strict parentdemanding that we be responsible for taking care of what we havebeen given.Perhaps that model will spur us to compliance in caring for ourphysical bodies, but it does not encourage mental and emotionalhealth.Truly caring for the self feels like nurturing, not like deprivationor punishment.Small changes that feel like indulgences: long silent walks, aregularmassage, and/or access to a steam room or sauna may provide a pointat which caring for your physical self is a positive experience

foryour whole self.Begin there.Other shifts will occur.Toxins are substances that interrupt or completely block thenormal metabolic functions of the body.Metabolic functions include moving nutrients into our cells,processing and eliminating wastes, producing energy, making repairs,and growing replacement cells.Detoxification is the processing and elimination of toxins from thebody, and it is an essential part of regaining and maintaining goodhealth.Food provides the body with nutrients, which are the building blocksfor health. Nutrients are released from food through digestion.Poorly digested foods will not only limit the amount of nutrientsavailable to be absorbed, but will increase the toxic burden on thebody through fermentation.Undigested foods will not merely pass unchanged out of the body,but ferment and produce gases and other toxic byproducts, which willbe reabsorbed

by the body.These digestion originating endogenous toxins, along with exogenoustoxins originating outside of the body, will burden and limit normalbodily functions.Toxic substances include: heavy metals, such as mercury and lead;solvents, such as benzene; plastics, such as styrene; hormones andchemicals acting as hormones; and, free radical compounds.I consider "free radicals" to be the number one class of *toxins*.A free radical is an unbalanced chemical structure that will pullelectrons from other structures, damaging them in the process.Free radicals may originate from poor digestion,uncontrolled emotional stress, and pollution from the world aroundus.Oxygen has the ability to pull electrons off of other chemicalstructures, which is necessary for our efficient cellular energyproduction and the operation of our immune system.While oxygen is essential for life, if uncontrolled it will

createtoxic free radicals and increase our risk of developing diseases.Free radicals will act against our bodies by directly "burning" ourcells, 'damaging' our DNA and increasing our risk of developingdiseasesthrough the "altering" of our genetic expression.Altered genetic expression may lead to the emergence of dormantdiseases such as cancer, Hepatitis C, and AIDS.Virtually every person has symptoms of toxic load.Selenium's contribution to the immune system is to *protect* thecells against "damage" caused by oxygen-free radicals.Selenium is an essential trace element which is normally obtainedfrom the diet.However, it was not until 1979 that it was recognizedas a requirement in human nutrition.Previous to this time it was regarded as essential to animals only.The first major breakthrough was achieved by Dr Klaus Schwartz whodiscovered that liver 'necrosis' in rats could be preventedwith the

aid of a kidney extract, found to contain selenium.As a result of Schwartz' discovery, selenium became the object of anintense programme of research, which continues today.In the 70's selenium deficient agricultural land presented seriousproblems for the Finnish cattle industry, which were eradicated bythe addition of selenium to fertilizers and cattle feed.Selenium has now been discovered to be part of the enzyme systemthat controls "prostaglandins", which have widespread functions inthe body. Studies on animals show that selenium reduces high bloodpressure and,when combined with Vitamin E, reduces angina pectoris.Selenium deficient animals do not 'reproduce' and in fact half aman's body stores of selenium are found in the testes and seminalglands.Breast milk contains up to six times as much selenium as cow's milkand twice as much Vitamin E.Selenium is the principal mineral anti-oxidant and free

radical*deactivator*.It combines with glutathione and Vitamin E to form gluathioneperoxidase, the body's free radical controller. Other factorsinclude zinc, manganese and copper.Prevention of Infections and Blood Clots.---It would appear that selenium increases the *beneficial*prostaglandins (a regulatory factor in the coagulation of the blood)and 'decreases' the *formation* of harmful prostaglandins(e.g. prostaglandins causing inflammation in the joints).Low selenium levels are associated with ECG abnormalities indicativeof heart problems.Selenium also prevents cancer.Selenium supplementation has been effective in the prevention ofmany forms of cancer.Selenium alone can give a 50% success rate, but combined withvitaminsA & E this rises to a 90% success

rate.The incidence of cancer is more common in a sub-group of thepopulationwith low selenium blood levels.As has already been seen, selenium protects cells from damage byoxygen-free radicals. It also decreases the carcinogenic *viruses*andinhibits the *division* of cancer cells.---The Link between Vitamin E and SeleniumSelenium is synergistic with Vitamin E, i.e. the beneficial effectofcombined selenium and Vitamin E is greater that the added effect ofeach single nutrient.The enzyme glutathione peroxidase *requires* both selenium andVitamin E to function.The most efficient ratio is 100mcg Vitamin E to 25mcgSelenium .(Selenium is 50-100 times more powerful than Vitamin E.)Sources of SeleniumGood sources include cold water fish, raw brazil

nuts. Whole grainsand brown rice contain significant proportions, but levelsvary, depending on the soil content of the area in which they aregrown.However,remember that selenium is also *lost* in processing. Brown ricehas fifteen times higher levels than white rice and wholemealorganic bread has twice the levels of white bread.We've told you about studies that have shown how a sufficientseleniumintake may lower the risk of prostate, breast, colorectal and lungcancers.Now a recent study from Indiana University Cancer Center and IndianaUniversity Schoolof Medicine has explored the theory that seleniumactivates an important *tumor-suppressing* gene called p53.Scientists estimate that the p53 gene is mutated in as much as 70%of all cancers.In experiments performed on human lung cancer cells, the Indianaresearchers used selenomethionine, the major component of selenium,totreat cells that contained

p53 genes, and other cells that weredeficient in p53.Results showed conclusively that selenomethionine not only*activated*the p53 protein,but also protected cells containing p53.Based on these findings, the researchers speculate that seleniumtherapy may act as a cancer preventive by enhancing the *vitality*of p53 genes.When the p53 genes function properly, cells are more likely to*repair*the DNA damage that may promote cancer.-----------------------------The Versatile Antioxidant-----------------------------In addition to its excellent cancer fighting abilities, manystudies have shown that selenium's antioxidant properties mayalso fight 'autoimmune' disorders and help 'increase' insulin"efficiency".Other research has concluded that selenium may be able to stopviruses from mutating and becoming more potent.Clearly, the

importance of selenium in our diets can't beoverstated.Plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium, but theamount of selenium in any plant depends on the selenium content ofthe soil it's grown in. For instance, soils on the high plains ofNorth America have high amounts of selenium, while the soil in muchof China contains lowamounts. So while garlic tends to contain good amounts of thismineral, the amounts vary depending on the soil the garlic is grownin.The Brazil nut is the undisputed selenium champ, with one ouncecontaining as much as 840 micrograms (mcg) - well over thegovernment recommended daily intake of 50 mcg.However, Dr. Martin L. Smith, the author of the Indiana study, notedthat the average diet probably falls short of 50 mcg per day.Furthermore, Dr. Smith believes that in order to reap the cancerpreventive qualities of selenium, intake needs to be around 200 mcgper day.In

other words, if you can't or don't want to add a quarter ounce ofBrazil nuts to your daily diet, you might want to add selenium toyoursupplement regimen. If you are taking a multi-vitamin, check to seeif you're already getting some supplemental selenium. You may begetting enough, but the chances that you're getting a sufficientprotective dose are pretty slim.---Brazil Nut: An Anti Cancer, Antioxidant & Immuno-Stimulant.---This is one of the richest sources of selenium and vitamin E -powerful antioxidants with anti-aging properties that can helpguard against many disorders including heart disease and cancer.The brazil nut is also extremely nutritious with high levels ofprotein, unsaturated fat, selenium, zinc and other minerals, plussubstantial quantities of vitamins E and

B-complex.But it is the combination of vitamin E with selenium that gives thenut its special immune enhancing properties. These two antioxidantswork together each improving the performance of the other to boostimmune system function. Antioxidants prevent cell damage by moppingup any existing free radicals, thus preventing the adverse reactionsthat can damage our DNA.Accumulated damage by free radicals is known to be an importantfactorin ageing and disease and the role of antioxidants in the preventionof illness is well recognised. Antioxidants play a preventative rolein many conditions including:Asthma, heart disease, immune-dificiency disorders and cancer.Selenium enhances immunity by activating an enzyme in the body whichinhibits selenium levels. This in turn affects the immune systembecause a low level of selenium affects the normal antibodyresponses to infection.So even a moderate increase in

selenium intake - a few nuts eachday for instance - is beneficial to the body's self defencemechanisms and can help to reduce the risks of:Cancer, heart disease and fungal infections, such as candidiasis.Six brazil nuts provide four times your daily minimum requirement ofSelenium.Selenium is a very important mineral, however bear in mind that it is regarded as a "trace" mineral. For this reason, Dr. Weil and other naturopathic physicians do not advise taking more than 300 mcgs daily in supplemental form.The rest of our needs can be obtained very easily from common dietarysources in the form of fresh raw organic foods.Studies have indicated that selenium is better absorbed when obtained from organic foods such as eggs ( the organic brands are best because of the derogatory effects of hormones and antibiotics in traditional brands which introduce/intersperse even more toxins into our system.Seafoods, even

canned varieties, such as alaskan salmon and sardines in water, mushrooms( esp. medicinal mushrooms) and organic wheat germ are especiallyhigh in selenium content.Selenium is also present in Brewer's yeast and the sea vegetablesthat are so prevalent in Japanese macrobiotic diets (kelp,dulse,etc), as well as brazils and other raw nuts.Brazil nuts are highest in selenium content, with 8 mcgs of seleniumin just one of them. The selenium in foods has no known toxicitylevel.Shari Lieberman, Ph.D. claims that one can ingest up to 2,400 mcgsof selenium in foods with no adverse effects. Brazil nuts would behighest although organic eggs would be my second choice of highselenium foods.If organic is not available in your area, farmers markets frequentlyoffer hormone/ antibiotic free eggs.Horizon Organic site contains additional info regarding organiceggs.www.horizonorganic.comAlmonds and cashews are

rated moderately high in selenium as wellalthough Brazil nuts are best. There are also some seeds that arebeneficial... sesame and pumpkin seeds are good sources as well.It is good to remember that Vitamin E works synergistically withselenium, both in supplements and foods.---Post subject: Selenium-Shari Lieberman Ph.D--Selenium is present in all the tissues of the body, but isconcentrated most highly in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas,and testes.People do not consume enough selenium both because of the type ofdiet they eat, and because of the low selenium content of the soilin which their food is grown. The selenium content of soil varieswidely, with many areas showingserious depletion. In fact, there have been several reports ofseleniumdeficiencies in

livestock raised on selenium-depleted soil.FUNCTIONS AND USESCancerSelenium's best-known and perhaps most important biological functionrelates to its role as an antioxidant and anticancer mineral.As we have seen in other chapters, free radicals damage our cells,possibly leading to the development of cancer and other degenerativediseases. Selenium is an activating component of the enzymeglutathioneperoxidase, which protects our cells from this damage.Many animal studies have proven that selenium deficiency increasestheincidence and rate of growth of cancers in animals that are eitherexposed to a variety of potent carcinogens or receive transplantedtumors. Companion studies have shown that high selenium intakeprotects against these cancers.For example, in one study in which rats were exposed to a potentcarcinogen, only 15 percent of those who were also given seleniumdeveloped liver cancer as

compared with 90 percent of theunsupplemented rats. In another study, the occurrence of cancer was10 percent in the supplemented group versus 80 percent in thecontrol group.In yet another animal study, selenium supplementation reduced coloncancer incidence by more than 50 percent.In another study, selenium protected against UV-induced skin damageand cancer, retarding the onset and number of skin lesions, andreducing inflammation, blistering, and pigmentation.In. humans, there is ample epidemiological evidence that highseleniumis correlated with a lower incidence of many types of cancer. Forinstance researchers have found that cancer risk is significantlylowerin people living in areas with selenium-rich soil, in people with ahigh-selenium food supply, and in people with higher blood levels ofselenium, when compared with people with lower intakes and bloodlevels.Selenium intakes in the people studied

were close to 750 microgramsperday, with no toxic side effects noted. In a survey that spannedtwenty-seven countries, including the United States, it was foundthatthe cancer death rate was lower in those people whose typical dietswere high in selenium.This and other cancer studies indicate that selenium is especiallyprotective against cancer of the breast, colon, and lung. Data alsosuggests protection against tumors of the ovaries, cervix, rectum,bladder, esophagus, pancreas, skin, liver, and prostate, as well asagainst leukemia.Since 1969, it has been known that the blood levels of cancerpatientsare low in selenium. In general, cancer patients withlower-than-average selenium levels have a greater number of primarytumors, more recurrences, more distant metastases (tumors that havespread to distant parts of the body), and a shortened survival time.In a study of 12,000 people conducted in

Finland, the risk of fatalcancer in people with the lowest levels of serum selenium was nearlysix times higher than that in people with the highest seleniumconcentrations.Like other nutrients, of course, selenium cannot do its work alone.Inseveral studies, it has been shown that selenium and vitamin E-andperhaps vitamin A, too—have a synergistic effect. For example, inonestudy, male smokers who died of cancer had lower levels of serumselenium, vitamin A, and vitamin E, when compared with healthycontrolsubjects.It is well known that vitamin E enhances the antioxidant effect ofselenium. In. addition, it has been found that supplementation withselenium alone and with selenium plus vitamin E in excess of theRDAsstimulates the immune system in experimental animals.This effect is particularly pronounced when the diet is high inessential fatty acids (omegas).These studies show promise for the

prevention and possible treatmentofcancer with selenium supplementation. When combined with othersupplements, the anticancer effect may be even greater. The NationalCancer Institute is conducting ongoing "chemopreventive" trials ofseveral individual nutrients, including selenium, vitamin E, andvitamin A.However, often these trials are limited to 200 micrograms ofseleniumper day, which may be too low a dose to assess the potentialprotectiveeffect of this mineral. Larger doses of selenium have been shown tobeprotective in animals, and safe in humans.In addition, we are not sure of the extent to which seleniumsupplementation influences the later stages of cancer development.Ifits influence is strongest in the early stage,it will be verydifficult for these trials to prove the connection between lowseleniumand cancer because of the long latency period for most cancers.(For example, it may take

up to fourteen years for a single breastcancer cell to multiply and produce a tumor large enough to bedetectedby currently available diagnostic methods.)Finally, evidence of the synergism of nutrients has led manyresearchers to emphasize the need to consider several nutrients inanygiven diet and cancer study, instead of focusing on just onenutrientper study.-------Cardiovascular DiseaseIn humans, a link has been found between selenium and heart disease.People found to have overt selenium deficiencies-alcoholics withcirrhosis of the liver, and people receiving long-term intravenousfeeding-have also been found to suffer from heart problems thatrespondto selenium supplementation.In eastern Finland, which has one of the highest mortality ratesfromheart disease in the world, it was found that low selenium in

thebloodwas associated with up to a six- or sevenfold increase in the riskofdeath from heart disease. In addition, children in certain areas ofChina in which the selenium content of the soil is low are known todevelop a heart disease called Keshan's disease. Their heartproblems,too, respond to selenium supplementation.-------Functions in Muscular Dystrophy and Rheumatoid ArthritisThere is some evidence that selenium may also prove effective in thetreatment or prevention of several other disorders. A study using400micrograms of selenium and approximately 25 international units ofvitamin E markedly improved skin conditions such as acne andseborrheicdermatitis in the test subjects.A Danish study examined patients with rheumatoid arthritis and foundthat they had lower levels of selenium. Those with the lowest levelshad

the more severe form of this disease.Moreover, a recent study conducted in Japan suggests that seleniumandvitamin E may enhance the responsiveness of arthritis patients toconventional treatment. A fascinating study conducted in Scandinaviashowed a correlation between low selenium levels and the incidenceandseverity of muscular dystrophy; one patient who was treated withselenium supplements showed considerable improvement after one year.Finnish researchers have also conducted a study on elderly patients,who were given large doses of selenium and vitamin E for one year.After two months, researchers found an obvious improvement in theirpatients' mental well-being, including less fatigue, depression, andanxiety, and more mental alertness, motivation, and self-care.Finally, selenium has been shown to protect against the toxiceffectsof mercury, arsenic, and copper.RDIs AND DEFICIENCY

SYMPTOMSSelenium deficiency symptoms may include muscular weakness anddiscomfort.Recent studies have shown that people with celiac disease-an inborninability to digest gluten are at high risk for low selenium, alongwithother nutrients, either because their low gluten diets are also lowinselenium, or because of their absorption problems.Down's syndrome patients have also been found to have low levels ofselenium and other antioxidants.-------In one study, refinery workers were found to have low seleniumlevelsin spite of their dietary intake of 217 micrograms per day, which ismore than three times higher than the RDI.This study indicates that because of the workers' exposure to freeradicals on the job, their bodies were utilizing large amounts ofselenium to produce the protective enzyme "glutathione peroxidase".This

suggests that exposure to toxic environmental chemicalsincreasesthe requirement for this mineral.Food Sources: There are no accurate available measurements of theselenium content of foods. Whole grains and nuts can be goodsources, however this depends on the selenium content of soil inwhich they were grown.Fruits and vegetables generally contain very low amounts ofselenium.The refining process strips foods of much of their selenium content.In one study, it was found that a highly refined diet contains 61percent less selenium than does a diet rich in unrefined foods.Cooking also reduces the content significantly, especially if thecooking water is discarded.Vitamin C seems to enhance the absorption of selenium.SUPPLEMENTSSelenium is most often available as an individual supplement,althoughsome multivitamin-mineral formulas are beginning to include thismineral.I recommend

selenium in the form of selenomethionine, which isextracted from selenium-rich yeast or ocean plants. This formappearsto be the most absorbable.OPTIMUM DAILY INTAKE-ODIFor optimum general health, the basic Optimum Daily Intake forseleniumis: 100-400 mcg for men and women living in low-selenium areas(this includes coastal areas and glaciated areas)50-200 mcg for men and women living in high-selenium areasExcerpted from"The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book",by Shari Lieberman, Ph.Dand Nancy Bruning, Avery Publishing, 1997_________________JoAnn GuestmrsjoguestDietaryTipsForHBP www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/GenesPlease pass this message or article on to someone else so that they may learn also.Community Newsletters.http://www.alternative-medicine-newsletter.infoCommunity Message Boards.http://www.alternative-medicine-message-boards.info"Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus PaulingGetting well is done one step at a time, day by day, building health and well being..list or archives: :........ - post:............. alternative_Medicine_Forum digest form:...... -digest individual emails:

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