Selenium is an anti-cancer antioxidant. No trace mineral is so vital to the antioxidant defenses of the body. It is an immune-strengthening, cancer-deterring mineral. As conqueror of cancer, it significantly lowered levels of cancers of the lung, rectum, bladder, esophagus, cervix, uterus, and lymphoma. The Lin Xian, China study was the first evidence heralding selenium’s cancer reduction success. Subjects were given 50 mcg daily for 5 years. The National Cancer Institute study in December 25, 1996 revealed that daily dose of 200 mcg of selenium showed 49 percent decrease in death rate from cancer of lung, prostate, and colorectum. It is a mineral that can cut cancer occurrence by almost 40 percent and decrease cancer death rate by 50 percent.

 

As an important antioxidant, selenium helps prevent heart disease. It protects the heart from low oxygen levels. There is 70 percent greater risk of coronary heart disease on low levels. It is important for management of cardiac arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death. It protects the heart not only through its role in producing glutathione peroxidase, which maintains antioxidant activity, but by restricting the body’s load of toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury, lead, which can damage heart tissue. Selenium reinforces the body’s immune defenses against viruses and other invading pathogens showing measurable changes in immune system elements as white blood cells, natural killer cells, antibodies, macrophages, and interferon. It prevents hepatitis, herpes, and other viral infections.

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In AIDS, selenium might help keep HIV virus dormant and prevent it from developing into full-blown AIDS. Gerhard Scrauzer, Ph.D., asserted that selenium may be the single most important nutrient for patients infected with HIV. Viruses depend on selenium to grow and replicate yet a lack of selenium makes the virus mutate and become more virulent and dangerous.

 

Selenium’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve arthritis symptoms especially when combined with Vitamin E and other anti-oxidants. Osteoarthritics also benefit from it. However, the effects take six months for its benefits to become apparent. Selenium is also beneficial to asthmatics, and colitis. It is best when applied to skin with psoriasis.

 

Selenium is important for thyroid function because the enzyme that activates the main thyroid hormone (T4) depends on it. Replacement therapy is incomplete without selenium. Deficiency may lead to sluggish metabolism and obesity. It protects thyroid gland from free radical damage that decreases its functions.

 

Selenium is vital in metal poisoning. It disarms the threat of toxic metals as lead, platinum, and mercury. It binds with metals making them inert and harmless. The major cause of multiple sclerosis is the systemic accumulation of toxic metals. Low glutathione levels, a sign of selenium deficiency, are found in multiple sclerosis.

 

Fertility and baby’s health depend on optimum selenium intake. Along with folic acid, selenium is crucial to preventing malformed spines in neural tube defects. Deficiencies lead to miscarriage; muscle weakness of newborns and sudden infant death syndrome. Selenium is lifesaving when given during the onset with sudden abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting in acute pancreatitis.

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Deficiency causes lack of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful antioxidant enzyme and gives no protection against oxidation-related diseases, hardening of arteries, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataract. Deficiency symptoms include: fatigue, cancer, liver damage, pancreatic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, weak immune system, reproductive disorders, cataracts, hemorrhaging, hemolytic anemia, underactive thyroid. Deficiency causes viruses to become very virulent.

 

SUPPLEMENT SUGGESTIONS: The daily dose is 100 to 200 mcg. In inflammation, viral infections, immune weakness, and heavy metal contamination, 400 mcg is more appropriate and still very safe. For psoriasis: direct topical application. Take selenium with Vitamin E.