Guest guest Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 Selenium Supplements By Debbe Geiger January 27, 2004 THE PRODUCT AND WHAT IT IS MARKETED FOR: Selenium is an essential trace mineral that helps antioxidants protect the human body from the damage caused by free radicals. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is between 55 and 70 micrograms (mcg). Most people meet or exceed the RDA with foods like nuts, meats and seafood, or by taking multi-vitamins. Selenium supplements have become popular because some studies suggest they may play a role in decreasing the risk of certain cancers, and in how the immune system and the thyroid gland function. According to Nutrition Business Journal, selenium supplement sales were $60 million last year, up from $55 million in 2000. WHAT IS KNOWN: Selenium supplements first garnered attention in the 1960s when researchers noted that people with high levels of the mineral were less likely to develop certain cancers, including lung, colorectal and prostate. " Selenium is a co-factor for an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase which breaks down a free radical called hydroperoxidase, which theoretically may be harmful and may impact the formation of mutations in cells that would theoretically lead to cancer, " said Dr. na Markell, director of the Office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the North Shore- Long Island Jewish Health System. Observational studies suggest that mortality from certain cancers was lower in people with higher selenium intake, she said. The evidence was so compelling that in 2001 the National Cancer Institute began enrollment of a clinical trial that will study 32,000 men for 12 years to determine whether selenium and vitamin E supplements can offer protection against prostate cancer. " The NIH [National Institutes of Health] does not invest tens of millions of dollars in large scale clinical trials unless there is a lot of data suggesting that this is true and that it needs to be definitive in nature, " said Blumberg, associate director of the Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. While the data showing that selenium has cancer-preventive properties is strongest for prostate cancer, other research has shown it holds promise for reducing the risk of lung and colorectal cancers. Some studies suggest it might help reduce the risk of skin cancer as well, but later studies, in particular the 1982 Nurses Health Study which involved more than 60,000 participants, found it had no effect. Preliminary research suggests selenium may be useful in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. According to the National Cancer Institute, surveys indicate that patients have lower levels of selenium in their blood. Markell says selenium may help control the immune system's production of free radicals, thus reducing some of the painful symptoms of arthritis. But the evidence is inconclusive and further study has been recommended. THE BOTTOM LINE: While experts agree that selenium supplements may be beneficial, they do not recommend them for everyone. " I think it is prudent when you are looking for a multivitamin to look for one that includes 100 percent of the daily value of selenium, " says Blumberg. " I don't recommend to general audiences that everyone take selenium. " Several populations may benefit from selenium supplements. " If you are at high risk for cancer for whatever reason -- family history, a prior cancer diagnosis -- then it would be reasonable to look at taking a selenium supplement, " Blumberg said. Patients who suffer from chronic diseases that inhibit the body's ability to absorb nutrients may also benefit. For example, selenium supplements are often used by people with HIV and AIDS, explained Weiner, a registered dietitian in Merrick. " They don't absorb selenium as well. " The same holds true for people with gastrointestinal problems or chronic diseases like Crohn's. Hospital patients who are fed intravenously are also given selenium as selenium deficiency can be an issue. In the population as a whole, selenium deficiency is not a common problem. However, researchers have found that when it does occur, it can affect thyroid function because selenium plays an important role in the synthesis of active thyroid hormone. When needed, selenium supplements are usually given in doses of 100-200 mcg daily. Too much selenium can cause some toxic effects including gastrointestinal upset, brittle nails, hair loss and mild nerve damage. " There is a huge window of safety between 200 micrograms and any dose that would get anyone in trouble, " Blumberg said. People who have kidney disease should talk to their health care provider before taking selenium as minerals are excreted through the kidneys, adds Markell. ALTERNATIVES: To ensure you are meeting or exceeding the recommended daily allowance of selenium, Markell recommends eating selenium-rich foods. Brazil nuts and tuna contain high amounts; it's also in beef/calf's liver, crab, cod, enriched noodles, turkey and chicken, enriched whole wheat bread, oatmeal, eggs, rice, walnuts and cheddar cheese. " It's always better to get your vitamins and minerals and antioxidants through foods rather than through a pill because there are other antioxidant properties in foods and other substances that we may not know about, " she said. " Brazil nuts are a perfect example. In addition to selenium, there is vitamin E and fatty acids which are beneficial for heart health. " Debbe Geiger is a freelance writer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 > > Hi > > We are trying to get the necessary supplements in place before > beginning chelation. We started selenium yesterday. We started with > 25 mg (1/4 cap) at breakfast. The last two days he has been pretty > whiny for the morning after the selenium. Does this indicate > intolerance? Is selenium hard to adjust to? Tomorrow, I am planning > on backing down to 1/8 of a cap to see if that helps. Can the whining > be a good sign that it's helping to get rid of " stuff " . Any ideas is > greatly appreciated. > > > Hi, Which selenium? Methylselenocystiene or selenomethionine; or both? (please excuse my horrible spelling). We use both. I did a slow rachet up on Glenn (I do EVERYthing slow w/ Glenn, lol). If you are using a different (inorganic form - look for stuff that ends with -ite or -ate) it can be a bit tough to absorb, and may lead to gut issues in the extremely sensative person. Ususally yeast. -christine -christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 > We are trying to get the necessary supplements in place before > beginning chelation. We started selenium yesterday. We started with > 25 mg (1/4 cap) at breakfast. Hopefully you mean 25mcg, not mg. >>The last two days he has been pretty > whiny for the morning after the selenium. Does this indicate > intolerance? Selenium causes massive constipation if he is deficient. Try increasing magnesium, see if that helps. Selenium can also be toxic, so he might not be deficient. Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 It is my understanding that selenium should be given at bedtime. Lila > We started selenium yesterday. We started with > 25 mg (1/4 cap) at breakfast. The last two days he has been pretty > whiny for the morning after the selenium. Does this indicate > intolerance? Is selenium hard to adjust to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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