The relevance of selenium to immunity, cancer, and infectious/inflammato

[Guest guest]

The relevance of selenium to immunity, cancer, and

infectious/inflammatory diseases

JoAnn Guest

Jan 07, 2007 09:38 PST

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The relevance of selenium to immunity, cancer, and

infectious/inflammatory diseases.

 

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=4936

 

Author:

Ryan-Harshman M, Aldoori W.

Source:

Can J Diet Pract Res. 2005 Summer;66(2):98-102

 

Abstract:

 

Selenium is an essential trace element involved in several key

metabolic activities via selenoproteins, enzymes that are essential to protect

against oxidative damage and to regulate immune function.

 

Selenium also may have other health benefits unrelated to its enzymatic

functions. It may provide important health benefits to people whose oxidative

stress loads are high, such as those with inflammatory or infectious diseases

like rheumatoid arthritis or human immunodeficiency virus/acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome, or who are at high risk for cancers,

particularly prostate cancer. Some studies have generated compelling

evidence that selenium is beneficial, either alone or in conjunction

with other micronutrients.

 

Additional data from large clinical trials that provide the highest level of

evidence will be key to determining

the benefits accrued at various selenium intake levels. When the

strength of the evidence becomes sufficient, clinical health

professionals will need to use dietary and clinical assessment

methods to ensure that people at increased risk for cancer or inflammatory and

infectious diseases can be appropriately advised about selenium intake.

 

--

 

Selenium: epidemiology and basic science.

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=4418

 

Author:

 

Klein EA.

 

Source:

 

J Urol. 2004 Feb;171(2 Pt 2):S50-3; discussion S53.

 

Abstract:

 

PURPOSE: The trace element selenium, a constituent of antioxidant

enzymes, has been proposed as a chemopreventive agent for prostate

and

other cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published epidemiological and

scientific studies relating to the potential clinical and molecular

role

of selenium in preventing cancer are reviewed and summarized. A

unifying

hypothesis underlying observations on the effect of selenium on

early

events in carcinogenesis is presented. RESULTS: A large body of

epidemiological evidence, including observational, case-control,

cohort

and randomized controlled clinical trials, support the proposition

that

selenium may prevent prostate cancer in humans. The available data

suggest a beneficial effect for men with low baseline serum or

toenail

selenium levels, without preexisting tumors, with serum prostate

specific antigen less than 4 ng/ml and in current or former smokers.

Molecular data demonstrate that selenium prevents clonal expansion

of

nascent tumors by causing cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis,

and

modulating p53 dependent DNA repair mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: These

observations give strong scientific support to ongoing clinical

trials

testing the ability of selenium to prevent prostate cancer and the

progression of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to

cancer.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets

[Guest guest]

Hi JoAnn

Do you know if 200 mgs of Selenium remains the overall recommended dose for

adults? There seems to be a great deal of concern with toxicity, but I wonder

if it wouldn't be advisable to raise my intake to around 400mgs?

best wishes

jp

-

JoAnn Guest

Sunday, January 07, 2007 9:58 AM

The relevance of selenium to immunity,

cancer, and infectious/inflammato

 

Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.7/618 - Release 1/6/2007 7:47

PM

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

, " John Polifronio "

<counterpnt wrote:

>

> Hi JoAnn

> Do you know if 200 mgs of Selenium remains the overall recommended

dose for adults? There seems to be a great deal of concern with

toxicity, but I wonder if it wouldn't be advisable to raise my

intake to around 400mgs?

> best wishes

> jp

 

Hi John!

 

There is a wealth of information available which places a great

deal of emphasis on the fact that even though the body uses it to

enhance our immmune system by making (NK) Natural Killer cells and

supporting Thymus function, we actually require only trace amounts

of this very important mineral (Selenium). Even minimal excesses can

be a Primary cause for concern. Your concerns about toxicity are

certainly legitimate ones.

Although it has been used for decades and is unsurpassed for the

treatment of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, It is

not advisable to use more than the recommended minimum dosage of 200

mcg (that is mcg, Micro-gram not to be confused with mg or

milligram, which you mentioned earlier).

After some thought I believe the best advice originates from Michael

Murray's most recent book, " The Pill Book Guide to Natural

Medicines " in which he claims that studies have proven that

inorganic salts such as sodium selenite, are less effectively

absorbed and not as biologically active compared to the more

natural organic form in Selenium enriched yeast derivatives.

 

Based on this information I would advise that you change to

Selenium yeast rather than increasing your intake. I'll go along

with Murray's claims that Natural Factors Yeast is nutritionally

superior....Natural Factors, SelenoExcell Selenium Yeast, 200 mcg,

is available at iherb.com.

It is interesting to note that Selenium 'absorption' is adversely

affected by high dosages of vitamin C. This affect is observed with

sodium selenite more than more natural yeast derived organic forms

of selenium mentioned earlier.(Murray)

Brazil Nuts, Seafoods, whole grains,brown rice,torula yeast,

molasses,onions, Shitake mushrooms and broccoli are excellent food

sources. There are also herbs that are rich in selenium, alfalfa,

chamomile,oat straw, hawthorne berry,

parsley,peppermint, raspberry.

On the other hand, " low gluten " diets are totally lacking in

Selenium.

 

Regards

JoAnn

 

Selenium