Selenium
SELENIUM
Helps in treatment and prevention of dandruff. Necessary for healthy hair
and nails. May also increase the elastic youthfulness of the skin and be
helpful in removing age spots. When ingested in the natural algae form of
selenomethionine, skin cancer incidence from ultraviolet light may also be
reduced.
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that functions as a component
of enzymes involved in antioxidant protection and thyroid hormone
metabolism. In several intra- and extra-cellular glutathione peroxidases,
iodothyronine 5н-deiodinases, and in thioredoxin reductase, selenium
is located at the active centers as the selenoamino acid, selenocysteine (SeCYS).
At least two other proteins of unknown function also contain SeCYS.
Although SeCYS is an important dietary form, it is not directly
incorporated into these specific selenium-proteins; instead, a co-translational
process yields tRNA-bound SeCYS. In contrast, selenium as
seleno-methionine is incorporated non-specifically into many proteins, as
it competes with methionine in general protein synthesis. Therefore,
tissues often contain both specific, as well as the nonspecific,
selenium-containing proteins when both SeCYS and selenomethionine are
consumed, as found in many foods.
IMPORTANCE: A major antioxidant nutrient,
protects cell membranes and prevents free radical generation thereby
decreasing the risk of cancer and disease of the heart and blood vessels.
Medical surveys show that increased selenium intake decreases the risk of
breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer. Selenium also preserves tissue
elasticity; slows down the aging and hardening of tissues through
oxidation; helps in the treatment and prevention of dandruff.
Deficiencies:
Selenium deprivation reduces activities
of the selenium-dependent enzymes. The signs in animals depend upon
vitamin E status and appear only when both nutrients are limiting. They
vary according to species. For example, selenium- and vitamin E-deficient
animals show myopathies of skeletal (e.g., sheep, cow, horse), cardiac
(pig) or smooth (dog, cow) muscle; hepatic necrosis (rat, pig); increased
capillary permeability (chicken); or pancreatic acinar degeneration
(chicken). Characteristic signs of selenium deficiency have not been
described in humans, but very low selenium status is a factor in the
etiologies of a juvenile cardiomyopathy (Keshan Disease) and a
chondrodystrophy (Kashin-Beck Disease) that occur in selenium-deficient
regions of China. May result in premature aging, heart
disease, dandruff, loose skin.
Diet recommendations: The Recommended Dietary
Allowances are in µg/day: 0-0.5 yrs, 10; 0.5-1.0 yrs, 15; 1-6 yrs, 20;
7-10 yrs, 30; males 11-14 yrs, 40; females 11-14 yrs, 45; males and
females 15-18 yrs, 50; adult males, 70; adult females, 55; pregnancy, 65;
and lactation, 75.
Food sources: The most important sources in American
diets are meats, fish and grains. Brazil nuts can have relatively high
selenium concentrations. Foods of low protein content, including most
fruits and vegetables, provide little selenium. Food selenium is absorbed
with efficiencies of 60-80%; the greatest factor affecting the utilization
of food selenium is its chemical form.
Toxicity: Selenium toxicity is characterized by
dermatologic lesions; selenotic animals and humans develop brittle hair
and nails/hooves. Sporadic cases of selenium-poisoning have been reported
involving industrial or accidental exposures to selenium-compounds. In
certain rural Chinese communities chronic intakes of very high amounts
(several milligrams per day) of selenium were linked to skin, hair and
nail abnormalities which disappeared upon resuming regular selenium
intakes. Selenium has been identified as the cause of birth deformities in
migratory wildfowl in a wetland area (Kesterson Reservoir, CA) which
receives selenium-enriched irrigation wastewater. This case involved the
biological amplification of selenium by aquatic plants which were
important in the diet of affected animals. The Reference Dose (RfD) set by
the Environmental Protection Agency is 5 µg/kg body weight/day or 350 µg/day
for a 70 kg individual. This intake is regarded as having no significant
risk of a deleterious effect over a lifetime of exposure.
Recent research: Preliminary findings suggest that
selenium may have an anticancer effect in humans. Animal studies indicate
that selenium deficiency may decrease the resistance of the host to
infection with certain viruses.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Teaspoon (5ml)
Serving Per Container: 47 |
|
Amount
per serving |
% USRDA |
Calories |
4 |
<2 |
Total Carbohydrate |
1 g |
<2 |
Total Fat |
0 g |
0 |
Sodium |
0 g |
0 |
Selenium (l-Selenomethionine) |
70 mcg |
100 |
Phytogenic Mineral Catalyst |
100 mcg |
** |
Calcium, Chloride, Cobalt, Chromium, Magnesium,
Boron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Iron, Copper, Phosphorus,
Sulfur, Potassium, Iodine and Zinc |
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie
diet
** No daily value established |
Directions: Take 5 ml once daily with food |
* This statements have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drag Administration.
This products are not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
|