Back in the 1950s selenium was established as an essential trace element in the diet for the prevention of disease. Foods that contain selenium include meat, seafood, dairy foods, whole grains, nuts (particularly Brazil nuts in the shell), red Swiss chard, turnips, garlic and orange juice. Since selenium is unevenly distributed in the earth's crust, the amount of selenium in the soil varies around the globe, which makes our reliance on food sources difficult if not impossible to measure. Selenium levels in the body are largely dependent on the amount of the mineral in the diet.
The form of selenium within the diet has an important influence on absorption. L-selenomethionine is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is significantly better absorbed and retained in the body than inorganic selenium in the form of selenite or selenate. Organic forms of selenium, such as selenomethionine, are selenium bound to methionine, an essential amino acid.
In one study, blood levels of selenium were studied in four groups of men and women taking Selenate, Selenite, L-Selenomethionine and High Selenium Yeast. During the three months' duration of the study, glutathione peroxidase activity was also recorded. All forms of selenium gave rise to steady levels of glutathione peroxidase, when measured after one month. However, the selenium levels in the groups receiving L-Selenomethionine and high selenium yeast, showed a steady rise during the whole period, whereas those receiving the other forms levelled off after a period of one to three months.
In another study, conducted in New Zealand, the urinary excretion of women taking either selenate or selenomethionine was studied over the long term. The results showed that considerably more selenate was excreted than selenomethionine.
Those persons with low nutritional selenium status have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and high rates of cancers of the liver, breast, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, lung, urinary tract, prostate, female reproductive organs, thyroid, blood, oral, and skin.
Cancer
The connection between selenium and cancer was originally found when researchers evaluated selenium levels in crops and low blood selenium levels and cancer death rates. Further research discovered that low selenium levels in cancer patients was associated with multiple primary tumours, multiple recurrence of the cancer, short survival times after diagnosis, and increased spreading of the cancer (metastasis).
As with cancer, where the intake of dietary selenium is lowest, so the incidence of cardiovascular disease is highest. Significantly, it has been shown that supplementation with selenium increases the ratio of HDL (good) cholesterol to LDL (bad) cholesterol and inhibits platelet aggregation. Selenium and Immune Function
The body's natural antioxidant enzyme, Glutathione peroxidase, is dependent on the presence of selenium. Therefore, when selenium levels are low, this enzyme is severely compromised. This, in turn, results in suppression of the immune system, including arrested development of important white blood cells. Adding selenium to the diet results in restoration and/or increased immune function
1 capsule, 2 times daily with meals. During seasonal discomfort, 2 capsules, 2 times daily with meals or as directed by a health practitioner.
Food |
Micrograms (mcg) |
Percent DV* |
|
Brazil nuts, dried, un-blanched, 1 ounce |
544 |
780 |
|
Tuna, light, canned in oil, drained, 3 ounces |
63 |
95 |
|
Beef, cooked, 3½ ounces |
35 |
50 |
|
Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, frozen entrée, 1 serving |
34 |
50 |
|
Cod, cooked, 3 ounces |
32 |
45 |
|
Turkey, light meat, roasted, 3½ ounces |
32 |
45 |
|
Beef chuck roast, lean only, roasted, 3 ounces |
23 |
35 |
|
Chicken Breast, meat only, roasted, 3½ ounces |
20 |
30 |
|
Noodles, enriched, boiled, 1/2 cup |
17 |
25 |
|
Macaroni, elbow, enriched, boiled, 1/2 cup |
15 |
20 |
|
Egg, whole, 1 medium |
14 |
20 |
|
Cottage cheese, low fat 2%, 1/2 cup |
12 |
15 |
|
Oatmeal, instant, fortified, cooked, 1 cup |
12 |
15 |
|
Rice, white, enriched, long grain, cooked, 1/2 cup |
12 |
15 |
|
Rice, brown, long-grained, cooked, 1/2 cup |
10 |
15 |
|
Bread, enriched, whole wheat, commercially prepared, 1 slice |
10 |
15 |
|
Walnuts, black, dried, 1 ounce |
5 |
8 |
|
Bread, enriched, white, commercially prepared, 1 slice |
4 |
6 |
|
Cheddar cheese, 1 ounce |
4 |
6 |