When first discovered in 1817, selenium was thought to be a poison. In 1957 it was accepted as an essential trace mineral. And now it has become a “hidden superstar” among nutrients. And selenium (like most healthy things) is something that many of us are not getting enough of … most Americans get less than half of the recommended dose of 200 micrograms a day, according to Life Extension Foundation’s Disease Prevention and Treatment. You probably first learned about selenium in high school chemistry class, but did you know that it is just about the cheapest “anti-cancer” pill you can buy? Selenium was initially used in conventional medicine as a treatment for dandruff, but our comprehension of the mineral has dramatically increased over the past half century years. It is an essential component of a powerful antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase) manufactured by the body which defends specifically against peroxides, a type of free radical that attacks fats. Like other antioxidants, glutathione peroxidase also reduces the risk of developing cancer and heart diseases and stimulates the immune system’s response to infections. In the 1970’s, studies by Dr. Gerhard Schrauzer produced a 70% reduction in breast cancer tumors by adding trace amounts of selenium to the diet. Then, a study of over 1000 healthy men (published in May 2004 Journal of the National Cancer Institute) showed that men with high blood levels of selenium had a 50% reduction in prostate cancer rates. The most important blind study on selenium and cancer was a double-blind intervention trial conducted by Dr. L.C. Clark (and colleagues) at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. When all the results were tabulated, it became clear that the selenium-treated group developed almost 66% fewer prostate cancers, 50% fewer colorectal cancers, and about 40% fewer lung cancers as compared with the placebo group. Research shows selenium (especially when used in conjunction with vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene) works to block many chemical reactions that create free radicals in the body. Remember, free radicals can damage our cellular DNA, which eventually can lead to degenerative diseases like cancer. Selenium also helps to prevent damaged DNA molecules from reproducing and proliferating, a process called mitosis. In other words, selenium acts to prevent tumors from developing. “It contributes towards the death of cancerous and pre-cancer cells. Their death appears to occur before they replicate, thus helping stop cancer before it gets started,” according to Dr. James Howenstine. Selenium research over the past 20 years has focused heavily on a novel form of selenium: methylselenocysteine (MSC). A relatively simple organic selenium compound, MSC is formed naturally in various plants, including garlic, broccoli, wild leeks, and onions. MSC is easily converted to methylselenol by an enzyme called “beta-lyase” which is widely distributed in the body. According to Dr. Daniel Medina (Baylor College of Medicine Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology), methylselenol has been shown to be an effective anti-cancer form of selenium that kills cancer cells through apoptosis, which is programmed cell death. (“Se-methylselenocysteine: A new compound for chemoprevention of breast cancer,” Nutrition & Cancer 2001, 40:12-17) Methylselenol is also known to inhibit angiogenesis (creation of new blood vessels) in beginning cancer tumors and represents the safest and most effective anti-cancer form of selenium available today. Selenium supplement intake, even in the form of safe MSC, should be limited to 200 to 400 mcg daily for maximum safety. Some of the best natural sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, garlic, broccoli sprouts, and Brussels sprouts, all of which contain selenium in the form of MSC. Of course, the amount of selenium in the foods also depends upon the soil. In the USA, the soils in the high plains of northern Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Montana have the highest levels of selenium. Selenium is also found in eggs and seafood (tuna, shrimp, and salmon). Selenium not only helps improve the immune system against cancer cells, but it also fights bacterial and viral infections as well as herpes virus, cold sores, and shingles. It’s interesting to note that people who live in selenium-poor regions of the world suffer from dramatically increased rates of cancer, infections, and inflammatory diseases.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:25:26 +0000
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