Selenium
Selenocysteine is the food form
 Selenium
a trace mineral is a powerful anti-oxidant that means
that it prevents hemoglobin in red blood cells from
damage by oxidation. Selenium also works
synergistically with another ant-oxidant, vitamin E.
Together these two help maintain a healthy heart and
liver. Add zinc to this combination and you provide
relief from an enlarged prostate.
Selenium is one of a number of antioxidants the others
are Alpha-lipoic acid, Bilberry, Burdock, Carotenoids,
Coenzyme Q10, Curcumin (Turmeric), Flavonoids, Garlic,
Ginkgo Biloba, Glutathione, Grape seed extract, Green
tea, Melatonin, Methionine, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC),
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, Oligomeric
Proanthocyanidins, Olive leaf, Pycnogenol, Selenium,
Silymarin, Superoxide Dismutase, Vitamin A and
Carotenoids, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc
A recent study in England (see Lancet, vol 365, number
9225, 15th July 2000) found that there is a
relationship between a number of health problems and low
dietary intake of Selenium. The study found a higher
incidence of miscarriages, male infertility, mood
problems, thyroid disorders, cardiovascular disease and
arthritis. This same study also found that Selenium
also plays a role in viral infections by slowing down
the replication process; this is especially true of the
Aids virus.
Another study conducted to study the effects of selenium
on skin cancer followed 1,312 patients with skin
cancer. They were divided into 2 groups, one receiving
organic selenium, the other a placebo. After 4 years,
there was no discernible difference in the skin cancer
rates. However, when the scientists compared the 2
groups looking at the more life-threatening cancers they
were astounded by what they found. The selenium
supplemented group had 63% fewer cancers of the
prostate, 58% less cancer of the colon, and 46% less
lung cancers then the placebo group. The Selenium used
was high selenium yeast called Selenomax. Ref: Diet and
Nutrition, Rudolph Ballentine M.D.
A
FDA study in 1967 where five samples of a balanced diet
were analyzed, they could find no Selenium. A Dr.
Richard Passwater in 1973, who saw the study, conducted
one of his own analyzing different brands of TV dinners
he found no Selenium present. His conclusion is that
the poor farming methods, refining, processing and
cooking have an effect on the Selenium contents of our
food in this country and the high cancer rate.
It has been reported that food selenium seems to reduce
toxicity associated with cisplatin chemotherapy [41],
hence many people take it when undergoing conventional
cancer treatments. Furthermore, Larry Clark, Ph.D. and
others have found that selenium in yeast appears to
reduce risk of certain cancers [42]. Julian Whitaker,
M.D. reports, "The best absorbed form of selenium, and
the one used by Dr. Clark"s research, is high-selenium
yeast" [42].
Food selenium is about twice as well retained as
non-food forms [13,40].
Selenium and the Chelation Process:
Selenium provides protection against Mercury toxicity,
in particular, Methyl Mercury from industrial waste.
Selenium is an excellent Chelation (means claw) mineral
when used to pull heavy metals from the body. These
heavy metals have 2 unpaired electrons that are looking
for any molecules that are short 2 electrons. Selenium
short 2 of the electrons can be used to Chelate 4 of the
worst of the heavy metals, Mercury, lead, nickel and
cadmium. Once Chelated these metals are excreted form
the body.
Deficiency Symptoms:
Liver damage, muscle degeneration, premature aging,
heart disease, muscular dystrophy, and cancer especially
in the gastrointestinal tract. Ref. The Chemistry of
Man, Bernard Jensen, Ph.D., Bernard Jensen International
1988
Suggested supplement dose is 200 micrograms a day. If
pregnant, not more than 40 micrograms daily.
The best Selenium to take for maximum absorption is that
from a food source. The food form of selenium is
selenocysteine. Why selenocysteine food form
Selenium and not some other form of Selenium. Studies
found that with food form Selenium (selenocysteine) 2.26
times more is retained in the liver, 17.6 times the
antioxidant effect, and 123.1 more effective in
diabetes,
Sources:
The Chemistry of Man, Bernard Jensen, Ph.D.,Bernard
Jensen, Publisher, 1983
Doctors' Research; 100% Whole Food Supplements for
Healthcare, Robert Thiel PhD.
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Doctors'
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100% Whole Food Supplements
Selenium E Complex
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