Selenium: Powerful Antioxidant

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Selenium: Powerful Antioxidant JoAnn Guest

Feb 15, 2003 19:06 PST

Selenium--Powerful Antioxidant

 

 

For several years we've been telling you about the advantages of

selenium - a naturally occurring mineral with powerful antioxidant

properties.

 

We've told you about studies that have shown how a sufficient

selenium intake may lower the risk of prostate, breast,

colorectal and lung cancers.

 

Now a recent study from Indiana University

Cancer Center and Indiana University School of Medicine has explored

the theory that selenium activates an important

tumor-suppressing gene called p53.

 

Scientists estimate that the p53 gene

is mutated in as much as 70% of all cancers.

 

In experiments performed on human lung cancer cells, the Indiana

researchers used selenomethionine, the major component

of selenium, to treat cells that contained p53 genes, and other

cells that were deficient in p53.

 

Results showed conclusively that selenomethionine

not only activated the p53 protein,but also protected cells

containing p53.

 

Based on these findings, the researchers speculate that

selenium therapy may act as a cancer preventive by enhancing

the vitality of p53 genes.

 

When the p53 genes function properly,

cells are more likely to repair the DNA damage that

may promote cancer.

 

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The versatile antioxidant

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In addition to its excellent cancer fighting abilities, many

studies have shown that selenium's antioxidant properties may

also fight autoimmune disorders and help increase insulin

efficiency.

 

Other research has concluded that selenium may be

able to stop viruses from mutating and becoming more potent.

And in an e-Alert I sent you

 

HSI Panelist Martin Milner, N.D., has used selenium for many

years in his cancer protocol to reduce the complications from

chemotherapy and to increase general longevity.

 

Clearly, the importance of selenium in our diets can't be

overstated.

 

Plant foods are the major dietary sources of

selenium, but the amount of selenium in any plant depends on

the selenium content of the soil it's grown in.

 

For instance, soils on the high plains of North America have high

amounts of selenium, while the soil in much of China contains low

amounts.

So while garlic tends to contain good amounts of

this mineral, the amounts vary depending on the soil the

garlic is grown in.

 

The Brazil nut is the undisputed selenium champ,

with one ounce containing as much as 840 micrograms (mcg) -

well over the government recommended daily intake of 50 mcg.

 

However, Dr. Martin L. Smith, the author of the Indiana

study, noted that the average diet probably falls short of 50

mcg per day.

 

Furthermore, Dr. Smith believes that in order to

reap the cancer preventive qualities of selenium, intake

needs to be around 200 mcg per day.

 

In other words, if you can't or don't want to add a quarter

ounce of Brazil nuts to your daily diet, you might want to

add selenium to your supplement regimen.

 

But you should also be aware that too much selenium can be toxic. By

too much, I mean an intake of more than 2,500 mcg per day.

 

So if you currently take a multi-vitamin, check to see if you're

already getting some amount of selenium. You may be

getting enough, but the chances that you're getting near a

dangerous dose are extremely slim.

 

 

JoAnn Guest

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