FOOD SUPPLEMENTS: THEIR EFFECTS ON THE BODY Version 6.02 (c) Copyright 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 by George M Lucich P.O. Box 424, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623 SELENIUM 200 to 400 mcg + a day Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory. Reported to kill tumor cells (27) and to cause cancer regression. (20) Reduces incidence of cardiovascular diseases, lung, colon and breast cancers, cataracts, arthritis, (macular degeneration?), inflammatory conditions, and is part of the body's natural antioxidant glutathione peroxidase. Enhances immune system, synergistic with vitamin E and may have a similar synergism with vitamin A (retinol). (synergism: effect of combination greater than each working alone.) Selenium and vitamin E may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. Vitamin C and high intakes of zinc and other trace elements may reduce selenium absorption. (27) With vitamin E, selenium will detoxify mercury, cadmium, lead, tin, and arsenic. (24) Two studies have shown that people with low blood concentrations of selenium are more likely to develop skin cancer. A third study found that counties where diets are naturally rich in selenium report lower death rates from cancer then those where dietary selenium is scarce. (25) Later tests have shown that by adding 200 micrograms of selenium daily to the diets there were 63 percent fewer prostate cancers, 58 percent fewer colorectal cancers and 46 percent fewer lung cancers than in the placebo group. (Journal of The American Medical Association: 12-25-96 - abstract). After a review of studies on selenium and cancer the Food and Nutrition Board's Committee on Diet and Health stated, "Low selenium intakes or decreased selenium concentrations in the blood are associated with increased risks of cancer in humans." (27) Selenium is deficient in the farm soils of all states east of the Mississippi River and in most of the Pacific N.W. Sulfur-based fertilizers prevent plant uptake of selenium that is available. We (editor's note: residents of the United States) have the distinction of ranking near the top in breast cancer mortality rate. Our total apparent selenium intake is about 170 micrograms per day. In countries where intake per person is about 275 mcg per day the breast cancer mortality rate is less than one-third of ours. (20) In Japan the selenium intake is about 500 mcg/day. Japan's cancer rate is less than one fifth that of countries where the intake is 250 mcg/day. In one study of a large group of people, the 10 percent with the highest serum selenium, 0.225 micrograms per milliliter, had the lowest level of cancer while the 10 percent with the lowest selenium level had the highest incidence of cancer. (Nutrition And Cancer: 1984 Vol 6, No 1) Another study of selenium levels in 48 patients with cataracts and compared to matched controls, the serum selenium level was found to be less in the patients with cataracts, 0.28 versus 0.321 mcg/ml. The aqueous humour selenium level was 0.19 versus 0.31 mcg/ml. Hydrogen peroxide levels in the aqueous humour was 25 times the normal level for patients with cataracts. (Karakucuk S. et al.,Selenium concentrations in serum, lens, and aqueous humour of patients with senile cataract. Arch Opthalmo Scand 73, 329-332, 1995) Since selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase is responsible for eliminating hydrogen peroxide, low selenium levels appear to be a factor in the development of cataracts. (27) Other tests have shown that areas with high selenium levels in food or forage crops have lower cancer incidence. (The Lancet, 7-16-83) From the above data, the author believes that one should maintain a serum selenium level of at least 0.32 micrograms per ml. The author's serum selenium level was 0.183 mcg/ml with an input of 200 mcg per day, 0.286 mcg/ml with an input to 400 mcg per day and 0.343 mcg/ml with an input of 600 mcg per day. With an input of 400 mcg per day his wife has a serum selenium of 0.318 mcg/ml. This difference may be due to differences in their weight and vitamin C input. He takes 8 grams of vitamin C each day, twice her's. Long term toxicity is 2400 to 3000 mcg per day. Supplements can be up to 500 mcg per day if diet does not exceed 250 mcg per day. Our diet ranges from 50 to 160 mcg per day. (25) Preferred forms are selenomethionine and high selenium yeast. For personal use only. Not for sale or hire. Permission to make copies by you for you and your friends is hereby granted. If you find this site to be of value a donation of any amount would be greatly appreciated. You are advised to consult a knowledgeable physician before using any of the nutrients listed herein. See note 10 for information on obtaining a list of this rare breed of medical doctors. |
This site is maintained by Angie Lucich and Kirby Lucich. |
FOOD SUPPLEMENTS: THEIR EFFECTS ON THE BODY Version 6.02 (c) Copyright 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 by George M Lucich P.O. Box 424, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623 SELENIUM 200 to 400 mcg + a day Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory. Reported to kill tumor cells (27) and to cause cancer regression. (20) Reduces incidence of cardiovascular diseases, lung, colon and breast cancers, cataracts, arthritis, (macular degeneration?), inflammatory conditions, and is part of the body's natural antioxidant glutathione peroxidase. Enhances immune system, synergistic with vitamin E and may have a similar synergism with vitamin A (retinol). (synergism: effect of combination greater than each working alone.) Selenium and vitamin E may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. Vitamin C and high intakes of zinc and other trace elements may reduce selenium absorption. (27) With vitamin E, selenium will detoxify mercury, cadmium, lead, tin, and arsenic. (24) Two studies have shown that people with low blood concentrations of selenium are more likely to develop skin cancer. A third study found that counties where diets are naturally rich in selenium report lower death rates from cancer then those where dietary selenium is scarce. (25) Later tests have shown that by adding 200 micrograms of selenium daily to the diets there were 63 percent fewer prostate cancers, 58 percent fewer colorectal cancers and 46 percent fewer lung cancers than in the placebo group. (Journal of The American Medical Association: 12-25-96 - abstract). After a review of studies on selenium and cancer the Food and Nutrition Board's Committee on Diet and Health stated, "Low selenium intakes or decreased selenium concentrations in the blood are associated with increased risks of cancer in humans." (27) Selenium is deficient in the farm soils of all states east of the Mississippi River and in most of the Pacific N.W. Sulfur-based fertilizers prevent plant uptake of selenium that is available. We (editor's note: residents of the United States) have the distinction of ranking near the top in breast cancer mortality rate. Our total apparent selenium intake is about 170 micrograms per day. In countries where intake per person is about 275 mcg per day the breast cancer mortality rate is less than one-third of ours. (20) In Japan the selenium intake is about 500 mcg/day. Japan's cancer rate is less than one fifth that of countries where the intake is 250 mcg/day. In one study of a large group of people, the 10 percent with the highest serum selenium, 0.225 micrograms per milliliter, had the lowest level of cancer while the 10 percent with the lowest selenium level had the highest incidence of cancer. (Nutrition And Cancer: 1984 Vol 6, No 1) Another study of selenium levels in 48 patients with cataracts and compared to matched controls, the serum selenium level was found to be less in the patients with cataracts, 0.28 versus 0.321 mcg/ml. The aqueous humour selenium level was 0.19 versus 0.31 mcg/ml. Hydrogen peroxide levels in the aqueous humour was 25 times the normal level for patients with cataracts. (Karakucuk S. et al.,Selenium concentrations in serum, lens, and aqueous humour of patients with senile cataract. Arch Opthalmo Scand 73, 329-332, 1995) Since selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase is responsible for eliminating hydrogen peroxide, low selenium levels appear to be a factor in the development of cataracts. (27) Other tests have shown that areas with high selenium levels in food or forage crops have lower cancer incidence. (The Lancet, 7-16-83) From the above data, the author believes that one should maintain a serum selenium level of at least 0.32 micrograms per ml. The author's serum selenium level was 0.183 mcg/ml with an input of 200 mcg per day, 0.286 mcg/ml with an input to 400 mcg per day and 0.343 mcg/ml with an input of 600 mcg per day. With an input of 400 mcg per day his wife has a serum selenium of 0.318 mcg/ml. This difference may be due to differences in their weight and vitamin C input. He takes 8 grams of vitamin C each day, twice her's. Long term toxicity is 2400 to 3000 mcg per day. Supplements can be up to 500 mcg per day if diet does not exceed 250 mcg per day. Our diet ranges from 50 to 160 mcg per day. (25) Preferred forms are selenomethionine and high selenium yeast. For personal use only. Not for sale or hire. Permission to make copies by you for you and your friends is hereby granted. If you find this site to be of value a donation of any amount would be greatly appreciated. You are advised to consult a knowledgeable physician before using any of the nutrients listed herein. See note 10 for information on obtaining a list of this rare breed of medical doctors. |
