Selenium; Uses/ Indications, Dosage, Side Effects

Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant

• Antioxidants are compounds in foods that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are normal byproducts of processes like metabolism that occur in your body on a daily basis. They often get a bad rap, but free radicals are actually essential for health.
• They perform important functions, including protecting the body from disease. However, things like smoking, alcohol use and stress can cause an excess of free radicals. This leads to oxidative stress, which damages healthy cells (rx).
• Oxidative stress has been linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, as well as premature aging and the risk of stroke (rx, rx). Antioxidants like selenium help reduce oxidative stress by keeping free radical numbers in check.
• They work by neutralizing excess free radicals and protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that fights oxidative stress and helps defend the body from chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

May Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers

• In addition to decreasing oxidative stress in the body, selenium may help lower the risk of certain cancers. This has been attributed to selenium’s ability to reduce DNA damage and oxidative stress, boost the immune system and destroy cancer cells (rx).
• It’s important to note that this effect was only associated with selenium obtained through foods, not supplements. However, some research suggests that supplementing with selenium may reduce side effects in people undergoing radiation therapy.
• For example, one study found that oral selenium supplements improved overall quality of life and reduced radiation-induced diarrhea in women with cervical and uterine cancer (rx). Higher blood levels of selenium may protect against certain cancers, while supplementing with selenium may help improve quality of life in people undergoing radiation therapy.

• A diet rich in selenium may help keep your heart healthy, as low selenium levels have been linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
• In an analysis of 25 observational studies, a 50% increase in blood selenium levels was associated with a 24% reduction in coronary artery disease (rx). Selenium may also lower markers of inflammation in the body, one of the main risk factors for heart disease. Additionally, it increased levels of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful antioxidant (rx).
• This indicates that selenium may help lower heart disease risk by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been linked to atherosclerosis or the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to dangerous health problems like strokes, heart attacks and coronary artery disease (rx).
• Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet is a great way to keep levels of oxidative stress and inflammation to a minimum. Selenium may help keep your heart healthy by keeping oxidative stress in check and reducing the risk of coronary artery disease.

Helps Prevent Mental Decline

• Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that causes memory loss and negatively affects thinking and behavior. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is growing. Thus, finding ways to prevent this degenerative disease is imperative.
• Oxidative stress is believed to be involved in both the onset and the progression of neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease (rx). Several studies have shown that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower blood levels of selenium (rx, rx).
• Additionally, some studies have shown that selenium in both food and supplements may improve memory in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (rx). One small study found that supplementing with one selenium-rich Brazil nut per day improved verbal fluency and other mental functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (rx).
• What’s more, the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in high-selenium foods like seafood and nuts, has been associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (rx, rx). A diet rich in selenium may help prevent mental decline and improve memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

• Selenium is important for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. In fact, thyroid tissue contains a higher amount of selenium than any other organ in the human body (rx). This powerful mineral helps protect the thyroid against oxidative damage and also plays an essential role in the production of thyroid hormones.
• A healthy thyroid gland is important because it regulates metabolism and controls growth and development in the body (rx). Selenium deficiency has been associated with thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a type of hypothyroidism in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
• Additionally, some studies have shown that selenium supplements may benefit people diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. However, more research is needed before selenium supplements can be recommended for those with Hashimoto’s disease.
• Selenium protects the thyroid gland from oxidative stress and is necessary for thyroid hormone production. Selenium may be helpful for people with Hashimoto’s disease and other types of thyroid disease, but more research is needed.

• The immune system keeps the body healthy by identifying and fighting off potential threats. These include bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Selenium plays an important role in the health of the immune system. This antioxidant helps lower oxidative stress in the body, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity.
• On the other hand, deficiency has been shown to negatively impact immune cells and may lead to a slower immune response (rx). Additionally, selenium supplements may help strengthen the immune system in patients with influenza, tuberculosis, and hepatitis C (rx).
• Selenium is crucial for the health and proper functioning of the immune system. Higher levels of selenium may be beneficial for boosting the immune system in patients with HIV, influenza, tuberculosis and hepatitis C.

• Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs. These airways become inflamed and begin to narrow, causing symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing (rx).
• Asthma has been associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the body (rx). Due to selenium’s ability to lower inflammation in the body, some studies suggest that this mineral may be effective in reducing asthma-related symptoms. Research suggests that people who have asthma have lower blood levels of selenium.
• In fact, one study showed that asthmatic patients with higher levels of blood selenium had better lung function than those with lower levels (rx). Selenium supplements may also be beneficial for reducing asthma-related symptoms.
• For example, one study found that asthma patients given 200 mcg of selenium per day reduced their use of the corticosteroid medications used to control their symptoms (rx).
• However, research in this area is conflicting, and larger studies are needed to fully understand selenium’s role in the development and treatment of asthma (rx).
• Alcoholism
• Ankle, itching eruption about.
• Constipation
• Enuresis
• A headache
• Hoarseness
• Impotence Laryngitis, scrofulous, tubercular.
• Prostatorrhoea
• Psoriasis palmaris
• Scabies
• Spermatorrhoea.

Dosage of Selenium

• Adults: 4 drops into a tsp. of water 3 times a day. Children: 1/2 dose. Repeat at greater intervals as condition subsides. Or as directed bya lic. practitioner.

Side Effects of Selenium

Long term use of high selenium doses can lead to dangerous side effects. Stop taking selenium and call your doctor at once if you have:

• nausea, vomiting;
• lack of energy, feeling irritable or very tired
• hair loss, mild rash, brittle or painful fingernails, or white streaks on the nails;
• tremors, feeling light-headed;
• muscle tenderness;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• metallic taste, bad breath, strong body odor; or
• easy bruising or bleeding.

References