Nutritional Guide

Why you need it?

Selenium activates an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which may protect the body from cancer.

• Selenium is involved in the synthesis of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. It consists of a 4 sub unit enzyme with one selenium per sub unit in the form of seleno-cysteine. This enzyme is responsible for detoxification in the body.
• Converts HPETE (hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid) into HETE (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid)
• Selenium may be an important inhibitor of various types of cancer.
• Natural antioxidant
• Necessary for production of prostaglandins
• With vitamin E helps promote normal growth and development

Deficiency Symptoms:

Keshan disease: Cardiomyopathy develops in children and young women in a certain area of China where soil selenium is deficient. This condition is reversible upon selenium supplementation. It has been postulated that this condition might be due to a viral condition that only manifests itself when there is a deficiency of selenium.

Kashin-Beck disease: This is an arthritis condition that develops also where there are low levels of selenium in the soil.

Duchennes muscular dystrophy is also associated with increased selenium excretion.

Good Food Sources:

Brazil nuts, yeast, whole grains and seafood. It should be noted that selenium quantities vary in foods depending upon the levels in the soil.

Precautions

GRAS - Generally recognised as safe. No adverse reactions, side effects or overdose symptoms expected when taken within the recommended amounts. Selenium has a narrow margin of safety. DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSAGE.

Supplementing or eating 1,000µg of selenium per day may cause garlic breath and sweat, metallic taste in mouth, depression, nervousness, emotional instability, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, hair loss, finger nail damage, and digestive irritation.

Signs and symptoms of toxicity include: loss of hair, teeth, nails; dermatitis; lethargy; and paralysis; severe overdose: fever, increased respiratory rate, gastro-intestinal distress, myelitis, and if extreme, death.

Selenium generally has a synergistic relationship with the other antioxidant nutrients. Selenium enhances the antioxidant effect of vitamin E.

Chronic exposure to environmental toxins, including chemotherapeutic drugs, radiation and other toxic medications, increase its requirement, since selenium is used in the generation of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme used in the detoxification process.

The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only. Neither the information provided nor products supplied or offered should be construed to be in any way substitutes for medical attention or prescribed medication. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any supplements or herbal remedies if you are suffering from an undiagnosed illness or if you are on prescribed medication.

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