Description:
A micro-mineral, selenium is essential to prevent the oxidation
of lipids. It is a vital antioxidant. When combined with vitamin
E, it protects the immune system, and enhances the formation of
antibodies. It helps protect the liver, heart, and pancreas. Selenium
deficiency has been linked to cancer, and heart disease. Other symptoms
are: exhaustion, growth impairment, high cholesterol, chronic infections,
liver impairment, pancreatic insufficiency, and reproductive problems.
Excess selenium levels can lead to arthritis, brittle nails, hair
loss, irritability, liver and kidney impairment, a metallic taste
in the mouth, and yellowish skin.
Complimentary Nutrients:
Vitamin E.
Antagonists:
Cadmium, silver, arsenic, mercury, and sulfates.
Health Benefits:
Membrane integrity, pancreatic function, tissue elasticity, and
possible increased resistance to cancer.
Therapeutic Uses:
Toxicity, mercury, and cancer.
Vitamin Therapies should be done with the supervision of a qualified
health care professional. In the panel on the left, under ailments
you can find more information about treatments for some of these
conditions. You can also locate therapeutic information on this
site by using the search engine - click on 'Search' in the panel
on your left - and entering words relating to the ailment you are
interested in.
Deficiency Indicators:
Peroxidation of fats, blood hemolytic problems, mercury toxicity,
pancreatic insufficiency, cardiac toxicity of drugs, and aging pigment.
Dosage:
| RDA |
Optimal Health |
Therapeutic Amounts |
| 20-50 mcg |
200 mcg |
400 mcg |
RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) are dosages developed by the
FDA. These amounts are designed to prevent deficiency symptoms.
For optimal health it is necessary to take a larger dose. The optimal
health amounts are for adults and children weighing over 100 lbs.
Children under the age of six should be given nutritional formulas
designed specifically for young children. The therapeutic amounts
to treat special conditions are usually much higher, and should
not be taken without the supervision of a qualified health care
professional.
Sources:
Selenium can be found in meats and grains, depending on the selenium
content of the soil where the food is raised. The soil of much of
American farm land is low in selenium. Supplementation of this nutrient
is highly advisable. Selenium can be found in: broccoli, brown rice,
chicken, dairy products, garlic, liver, onions, salmon, seafood,
tuna, eggs, wheat germ, and whole grains. All depending upon where
the food comes from. Here is a example.
| Food |
Amount |
MG |
| lobster |
1 lb. |
471 |
