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| | | From: Rene (Original Message) | Sent: 12/30/2005 4:01 PM |
Selenium supplements needed for elderly women, say researchers
By Stephen Daniells
19/12/2005 - Levels of selenium and other antioxidants are low in elderly women, and could be boosted by supplements, say German researchers.
"Our data reveal that the selenium and alpha-tocopherol status of well-nourished female seniors often seems to be insufficient," write Dr M. Wolters and colleagues in the December issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol 60, pp 85-91). High antioxidant intake, including selenium and tocopherol, has been shown to protect against chronic diseases. The research showed that nearly 40 per cent of the sample population failed to reach the desirable levels of serum selenium concentrations, (less than 1.1 micromoles per litre), despite eating healthily. The study followed the diet of 178 women with an average age of 63 over a three-day period. Blood samples were taken to determine the serum levels of the antioxidants. "The results show that low serum alpha-tocopherol and selenium concentrations are highly prevalent even among well-educated and well-nourished German women," said the scientists. "This result indicates that...women with low antioxidant levels would possibly benefit from an additional intake of antioxidants," recommended the researchers. It is believed that selenium and alpha-tocopherol work together to inhibit lipid peroxidation. "Insufficient status of one of these nutrients may elevate the risk of oxidative stress and possibly for associated diseases," explained the researchers. Selenium supplements continue to sell well in specialist health stores, but selenium enrichment of everyday products has not been successful. Only last month Waitrose's selenium enriched bread was removed from supermarket shelves due to poor sales. This was blamed on a lack of public awareness of the benefits of selenium. Results published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2004, Vol. 164, pp. 2335-2342) indicated that supplementation of diet with antioxidants may lower the risk of cancers. Another study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 80, pp. 154-162), reported that increased selenium intake could boost the immune system. These reports add to the growing body of evidence for the health benefits of selenium intake. There have even been recommendations to enrich soil and fertilizers with selenium to boost public consumption. The European RDA of selenium is 65 micrograms. Low selenium linked to higher risk of osteoarthritis
By Dominique Patton 14/11/2005 - Insufficient levels of selenium may raise the risk of knee osteoarthritis, US researchers will report tomorrow.
A team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that for every additional tenth of a part per million of selenium in volunteers' bodies, there was a 15-20 per cent decrease in their risk of knee osteoarthritis . The work, based on data gathered from 940 participants, is thought to be the first to link the trace mineral to joint health . Arthritis severity was directly related to how low selenium levels were. "Our results suggest that we might be able to prevent or delay osteoarthritis of the knees and possibly other joints in some people if they are not getting enough selenium," said study leader Dr Joanne Jordan. The findings, to be presented in San Diego tomorrow at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, could be particularly important for populations in Europe. Research published in 2002 revealed that selenium levels in British bread-making wheats are 10 to 50 times lower than in their American or Canadian counterparts, owing to reduced levels of the mineral in UK soil and lower pollution. Daily intake of the mineral is therefore often lower than the recommended amount in Britain. At the same time, incidence of osteoarthritis is rising in most developed countries in conjunction with an ageing population and obesity, a major risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee. The UK currently has the eighth highest obesity rate in the world. In the past year, more than 2 million Britons visited their GP because of osteoarthritis. The US team first suspected that selenium might play a role in preventing osteoarthritis after observing that in severely selenium-deficient areas of China, people frequently develop Kashin-Beck disease, which causes joint problems relatively early in life. They selected pariticipants in the major Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, and divided them into three groups based on the selenium levels measured in toenail clippings. Those with the highest selenium levels faced a 40 per cent lower risk of knee osteoarthritis than those in the lowest-selenium group. "Those in the highest selenium group had only about half the chance of severe osteoarthritis or disease in both knees. Some of the findings were even stronger in African-Americans and women," said Jordan. She added that there appears to be a clear relationship between selenium and osteoarthritis. The mechanism behind this link needs to be further investigated in the laboratory but the researchers believe the mineral might act as a protective antioxidant. "Later, we'll want to expand the study with larger samples and see whether selenium supplementation reduces pain or other symptoms," added Jordan. Lack of selenium may impact immune response
23/06/2004 - People deficient in the trace mineral selenium may be less able to fight off disease, suggests new UK research, which found that subjects lacking the nutrient had lower resistance to a polio virus.
The study supports previous evidence of selenium's role on the immune system, vital to protect against diseases like cancer, and also underlines potential problems with the decreasing levels of the mineral in the wheat supply in many European countries. Research published in 2002 revealed that selenium levels in British bread-making wheats are 10 to 50 times lower than in their American or Canadian counterparts, owing to reduced levels of the mineral in UK soil and lower pollution. Daily intake of the mineral is therefore often lower than the recommended amount in Britain. Researchers from the University of Liverpool and the Rowett Research Institute in the UK screened adults for plasma selenium concentrations and selected the lowest 60 per cent, or 22 adults with concentrations less than 1.2 µmol/L. The subjects received 50ug or 100 ug of selenium (as sodium selenite) or a placebo daily for 15 weeks in a double-blind study. Then the whole group was given an oral live attenuated poliomyelitis vaccine after six weeks. Selenium supplements boosted the immune response, shown by increased production of interferon gamma and other cytokines, an earlier peak T cell proliferation, and an increase in T helper cells, report the researchers in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol 80, no 1, pp154-162). Selenium-supplemented subjects also showed more rapid clearance of the poliovirus, they said, and an analysis of the faeces of the supplemented subjects revealed a lower number of mutations. This suggests lower potential for disease, according to senior author on the study, Professor Malcolm Jackson. The data indicate that when the body contains as little selenium as the levels studied here, it could have impaired immune status and find it more difficult to combat viruses, noted the researchers. They also suggest that even an additional 100 micrograms of selenium daily may be insufficient to support optimal function. "When we looked at the effects of both 50 and 100ug doses of selenium on the body's selenium pool, most of it was retained, suggesting that we had not yet reached saturation levels," Professor Jackson told NutraIngredients.com. "This means that we may be able to give even more, particularly as we saw a concentration-dependent effect in the study." Jackson noted however that maximum total intake levels recently advised by the UK's vitamins and minerals expert group are 450ug. Selenium is thought to be toxic at higher levels, and recent studies on its effects on skin cancer, (which found that it increased the risk of cancer at high doses) appear to back up this safety requirement. However Professor Jackson added that it is still possible to sufficient amounts of selenium by changing the diet. "We could certainly take it back up to the levels we had 20 years ago by eating different foods." The Liverpool researchers are currently studying a different form of selenium, the type found in the diet, in a trial funded by the World Cancer Research Fund.
These articles are from: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news |
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| | | From: Rene | Sent: 2/17/2006 4:09 AM |
Study:
Low Selenium Levels Linked to Higher Risk of Osteoarthritis ProHealthNetwork.com By Dominique Patton, Source: Decision News Media 02-13-2006- Insufficient levels of selenium may raise the risk of knee osteoarthritis, US researchers reported. A team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that for every additional tenth of a part per million of selenium in volunteers' bodies, there was a 15-20 per cent decrease in their risk of knee osteoarthritis. The work, based on data gathered from 940 participants, is thought to be the first to link the trace mineral to joint health. Arthritis severity was directly related to how low selenium levels were. "Our results suggest that we might be able to prevent or delay osteoarthritis of the knees and possibly other joints in some people if they are not getting enough selenium,�?said study leader Dr Joanne Jordan. The findings, to be presented in San Diego tomorrow at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, could be particularly important for populations in Europe. Research published in 2002 revealed that selenium levels in British bread-making wheats are 10 to 50 times lower than in their American or Canadian counterparts, owing to reduced levels of the mineral in UK soil and lower pollution. Daily intake of the mineral is therefore often lower than the recommended amount in Britain. At the same time, incidence of osteoarthritis is rising in most developed countries in conjunction with an ageing population and obesity, a major risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee. The UK currently has the eighth highest obesity rate in the world. In the past year, more than 2 million Britons visited their GP because of osteoarthritis. The US team first suspected that selenium might play a role in preventing osteoarthritis after observing that in severely selenium-deficient areas of China, people frequently develop Kashin-Beck disease, which causes joint problems relatively early in life. They selected pariticipants in the major Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, and divided them into three groups based on the selenium levels measured in toenail clippings. Those with the highest selenium levels faced a 40 per cent lower risk of knee osteoarthritis than those in the lowest-selenium group. "Those in the highest selenium group had only about half the chance of severe osteoarthritis or disease in both knees. Some of the findings were even stronger in African-Americans and women," said Jordan. She added that there appears to be a clear relationship between selenium and osteoarthritis. The mechanism behind this link needs to be further investigated in the laboratory but the researchers believe the mineral might act as a protective antioxidant. "Later, we'll want to expand the study with larger samples and see whether selenium supplementation reduces pain or other symptoms," added Jordan.
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Reply
| | | From: Rene | Sent: 2/21/2006 4:18 AM |
02/06:- [previously] .... I've told you how selenium increases insulin efficiency, curbs the mutation of viruses, and helps fight autoimmune disorders. Selenium has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer: specifically liver, colorectal and prostate cancers.
Researchers at Germany's University of Hannover recently reported on a study in which 178 women over the age of 63 submitted blood samples and dietary information. Two nutrients were found to be significantly deficient in this group: selenium and vitamin E. This is particularly noteworthy because these antioxidants happen to complement one another. Here's what HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., had to say on this topic in the e-Alert "Mineral with Muscle" (12/18/02): "Both selenium and vitamin E are intimately associated with stimulation of the part of the immune system dealing with production of immunoglobulins. Antibody response in several animal studies was dependent on both selenium and vitamin E status. In addition, animal sensitivity to toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium) was closely related to both substances. In fact, combined deficiencies in concert with heavy metals caused sudden death in animals, associated with pathological changes of the heart. "Affecting the immune system is why so many different illnesses are said to respond to correcting deficiencies of these two nutrients...you strengthen immunity and lots of problems go away."
Soil secret
Another recent selenium study was lead by a team from Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania. Blood samples taken from more than 630 women over the age of 70 were measured for concentrations of selenium and carotenoids (organic plant pigments that have been shown to help control inflammation). Researchers found that higher levels of selenium and total carotenoids were associated with a lower risk of mortality during the five-year study period when compared with women who had lower levels of the two nutrients. About 90 subjects died over the duration of the study. The primary causes were heart disease and cancer. Fortunately selenium and carotenoids come packaged together in many fruits and vegetables, although the amount of selenium varies depending on crop location. The selenium content of soil determines the selenium concentration in foods grown in that soil. In the U.S., selenium is highest in the soil of six western states: North and South Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. Besides fruit and vegetables, bread, fish and meat all contain selenium. The real selenium powerhouse, however, is the Brazil nut, weighing in at 840 mcg of selenium per ounce. The U.S. RDA for selenium is 55 mcg. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson June 26, 2003:-
.............. every two or three months [there is] a new study that reminds us just how important it is to get adequate amounts of selenium in our diets.
...previous e-Alerts told you how selenium helps fight autoimmune disorders, increase insulin efficiency, and curb the mutation of viruses. More importantly, selenium has been shown to reduce both the risk and mortality for prostate, liver and colorectal cancers.
Now another cancer can be added to that list: esophageal cancer - a disease closely associated with chronic heartburn and acid reflux. The selenium millennium
When acid reflux causes digestive acids in the stomach to be regurgitated into the esophagus, damage to the lower esophagus often results in an abnormal healing process that causes the wrong type of cells to grow in the damaged area. This condition is known as Barrett's esophagus. Painful acid reflux and heartburn symptoms may recede, but the new cell growth substantially increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
Knowing that elevated selenium levels may reduce the risk of other cancers, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center collaborated with a team at the University of Washington School of Medicine to study the relationship of selenium blood levels in Barrett's patients. The Seattle Barrett's Esophagus Program provided 399 subjects for the test - all diagnosed with Barrett's. In addition to the analysis of blood samples and medical history, esophageal tissue specimens were collected and examined for DNA content.
Results showed a clear association between high selenium levels and a reduced risk that those with Barrett's would develop esophageal cancer. More specifically, elevated selenium in the blood was associated with a significantly better chance that an important tumor-suppressing gene called p53 would be activated. (Just last year an Indiana University School of Medicine study showed striking evidence that selenium intake triggers activity of the p53 gene.)
These results are particularly significant because therapies have not yet been developed that would protect Barrett's patients from esophageal cancer - a fast-growing cancer that is frequently fatal.
No fear of effective doses
All commentary about selenium inevitably comes with a warning about overdoing selenium intake, and the commentary I found for this study was no exception. In a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center press release, the authors of the study warn that "mega dosing" with selenium supplements is not recommended. And we would agree with that, but I would add this note: a toxic dose of selenium is hard to come by.
The U.S. RDA for selenium if 55 mcg, and the average diet probably falls short of that amount. I say "probably" because the selenium content of fruits and vegetables depends on the selenium content of the soil they're grown in. In the U.S., selenium is most highly concentrated in the soil of six western states: North and South Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. Anyone who lives in these states and eats large amounts of fruits and vegetables daily might be at slight risk of getting too much selenium, but only if they're also taking a high dosage selenium supplement as well.
Dr. Martin L. Smith, the author of the Indiana University study on the tumor-suppressing p53 gene, noted that in order to reap the cancer preventive qualities of selenium, daily intake should be around 200 mcg. This is well over the RDA, of course, but you would have to get more than 2,500 mcg of selenium per day for an extended period to receive a toxic amount, so the chances of getting a dangerous dose are extremely slim.
Besides fruit and vegetables, bread, fish, and meat all contain selenium. The real selenium powerhouse, however, is the Brazil nut, weighing in at 840 mcg of selenium per ounce.
Not a minute too early
The authors of the Fred Hutchinson research state that it's too early to recommend selenium supplements for Barrett's patients, but I disagree. Supplements in moderate doses will not do any harm in the average person and the list of selenium's benefits is long and impressive. So Barrett's patients, as well as anyone with chronic heartburn or acid reflux, would almost certainly be giving themselves an important preventive benefit with a daily selenium supplement.
For further prevention of Barrett's esophagus, those who are experiencing gastro-esophageal problems should talk to their doctors. For chronic cases, however, you want to avoid any over-the-counter antacids or prescription medications, which neutralize stomach acids. Those acids are there for a reason -we need them to digest food! Anyone searching for a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to treat acid reflux and heartburn need look no further than the e-Alert "Fire Down Below" (12/23/02), in which HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., outlined a simple regimen that uses readily available acidophilus and digestive enzymes. Dr. Spreen's protocol, when combined with a daily selenium supplement, makes for an effective plan that just might prevent the chain of events that leads to esophageal cancer. www.hsibaltimore.com Sources:
"Serum Selenium Levels in Relation to Markers of Neoplastic Progression Among Persons With Barrett's Esophagus" Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 95, No. 10, 750-757, 5/21/03, jncicancerspectrum.oupjournals.org
"Selenium May Inhibit Progression Toward Barrett's-Related Esophageal Cancer" Fred Huctchinson Cancer Research Center, press release, 5/20/03, eurekalert.org
"What is Barrett's Esophagus?" Johns Hopkins Pathology, pathology2.jhu.edu
"Antioxidants Missing in Mouths with Gum Disease" Alison McCook, Reuters Health, 11/26/02 "Both selenium and vitamin E are also intimately associated with stimulation of the part of the immune system dealing with production of immunoglobulins. Antibody response in several animal studies was dependent on both selenium and vitamin E status. In addition, animal sensitivity to toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium) was closely related to both substances. In fact, combined deficiencies in concert with heavy metals caused sudden death in animals associated with pathological changes of the heart. "Affecting the immune system is why so many different illnesses are said to respond to correcting deficiencies of these two nutrients...you strengthen immunity and lots of problems go away."
"Part two (does the nutrient bind mercury?) is pretty well established, or at least there are many studies out there showing that selenium is very important in detoxifying cases of heavy metal poisoning, to include lead, cadmium, and mercury. Whether it's actually due to chemical binding with the metal I don't know (or care, as long as it helps detoxify), but it certainly seems to help. In fact, it's well known that a combined deficiency of selenium and vitamin E in dogs with deliberate heavy metal toxicity are subject to sudden death, with associated findings of heart disease.
"So, there seem to be pretty decent indications that selenium is helpful in detoxifying mercury from seafood. The last question would then be, "Is it enough?" I can't answer that one at all, but we are getting something like 1000 times more mercury from polluted waters than our ancestors did in the 1600's (I'm told). an item from the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases with a discussion of dietary surveys. A review of the surveys showed that patients with arthritis, as well as patients with rheumatoid arthritis, tended to have reduced selenium levels in their blood. These findings are considered preliminary, but it raises the speculation that the antioxidant effect of selenium helps relieve symptoms of arthritis. In addition to the sources mentioned above, beef and poultry also contain fairly good amounts of selenium. If you're taking a multi-vitamin, there's a very good chance that selenium is on the list of nutrients. And if it's not, it may be time to add a supplement of selenium to your daily regimen.
Fight Fatigue with Selenium
http://www.familycircle.com/health/ A trace mineral known for its role in cancer prevention, selenium also has an important purpose in the brain. Studies show that the brain gets priority during times of low selenium supply, and mental decline has been associated with low selenium levels. In a study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, individuals on a high-selenium diet for 15 weeks were more clearheaded, confident and elated than those who were on a low-selenium diet. A similar study in the United Kingdom found that supplementing with 100 micrograms (mcg) of selenium decreased anxiety, depression and fatigue.
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Reply
| | | From: Rene | Sent: 2/21/2006 4:25 AM |
Selenium and Viral Mutations
So far, there are three pieces to the selenium-virus puzzle.
The first comes from the recent dramatic discovery that a selenium deficiency in a person or animal triggers a mutation in the coxsackie virus. The common form of this virus is generally benign, causing symptoms no more serious than a common cold or sore throat. The coxsackie virus mutation, however, attacks heart tissue, causing Keshan disease (a type of cardiomyopathy) and heart failure.
In China, Keshan disease is known to be associated with selenium deficiency. But because of the seasonal nature of Keshan disease, researchers suspected that an infectious microorganism was also involved. That's when they turned up the coxsackie virus, which also infects an estimated 20 million Americans annually. The plot twisted last year when Melinda Beck, Ph.D., a virologist at the University of North Carolina, and Orville Levander, Ph.D., a nutritional chemist at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, described how a run-of-the-mill coxsackievirus mutated into the deadly, rapidly reproducing strain when an infected person or animal was deficient in selenium or vitamin E. The coxsackie virus in animals eating a selenium-rich diet did not mutate. However, the mutated virus could infect and be deadly to a person or animal eating adequate selenium. (Journal of Medical Virology, 1994;43:66-70 and Journal of Nutrition, 1994;124:345-58.) Their research took on greater significance this past May, when Beck and Levander described the specific genetic changes that occurred in this coxsackie virus mutation. By comparing the genetic structure of the benign "parent" coxsackie virus to that of its virulent descendants, Beck and Levander identified six specific changes in the genetic structure of the virulent coxsackie virus strain. Although it's not yet clear whether one or all of these genetic changes triggered the more aggressive virus, the genetic evidence provides the scientific proof needed to link a host's selenium deficiency with a more dangerous form of the coxsackie virus. (Nature Medicine, May 1995;1:433-6.) The Coxsackie virus infection is made worse because selenium deficiency weakens the host's immunity, preventing the virus from being effectively challenged by T-cell lymphocytes or antibodies. As a result, the mutated virus can reproduce faster than it would in a relatively healthy person. In addition, the lack of selenium prevents the quenching of mutation-causing free radicals, so when the virus reproduces, it also mutates at a faster rate. Although Beck and Levander studied only one virus, the implications are profound. They have already begun looking at whether other "host" nutritional deficiencies cause viral mutations as well. According to Beck, this propensity to mutate in a selenium-deficient animal or person might explain why new influenza strains regularly emerge from China, where selenium deficient soils are common. The flu virus originates in Chinese ducks, jumps to pigs, and then infects people. "The importance of this finding is not limited to nutritionally deprived populations," the researchers said in a statement released by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. "In theory, it would take only one selenium-deficient person or animal to produce a new family of virus mutants." http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/selenium.html
This article originally appeared in the Natural Foods Merchandiser, published by New Hope Communications. The information provided by Jack Challem and The Nutrition Reporter�?newsletter is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, consult your physician.
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Reply
| | | From: Rene | Sent: 4/3/2007 12:24 AM |
Selenium supplements could slow age-related cognitive decline
By Stephen Daniells
2/2/2007- The decline of mental function that naturally occurs with age may be increased by falling selenium levels, suggests new research from France.
The epidemiological study, published in the current issue of the journal Epidemiology, could help further increase public awareness of a mineral already associated with reducing the risk of prostate and lung cancer, as well as boosting the immune system. Cognitive performance declines naturally with age, but the results of the longitudinal study suggest that this may be slowed by selenium supplementation. "Because brain oxidative stress is a cause of cognitive impairment, selenium, which is an antioxidant, may protect against cognitive decline," wrote lead author N. Tasnime Akbaraly, from the University of Montpellier 1. The results are particularly important because European selenium levels have been falling since the EU imposed levies on wheat imports from the US, where soil selenium levels are high. As a result, average intake of selenium in the UK has fallen from 60 to 34 micrograms per day, leading to calls from some to enrich soil and fertilizers with selenium to boost public consumption. The European recommended daily intake (RDI) is 65 micrograms. The European market for selenium supplements is estimated to be worth around �?0m. This suggests that there is potential for food makers if they can improve consumer understanding of the mineral's benefits, with selenium-enriched products largely ignored by companies, unlike the supplements where a significant number of selenium products are available, both in combination with other nutrients and alone. Akbaraly and co-workers recruited 1389 older subjects aged between 60 and 71 at the start of the study and investigated changes in their cognitive function and selenium levels. The average baseline blood selenium level was 1.09 micromoles per litre, and levels were found to generally decrease during the nine years of follow-up. Adjusting the results for potential confounders, the researchers report that cognitive decline was associated with decreases of plasma selenium over time. "Among subjects who had a decrease in their plasma selenium levels, the greater the decrease in plasma selenium, the higher the probability of cognitive decline," said Akbaraly. "Among subjects who had an increase in their plasma selenium levels, cognitive decline was greater in subjects with the smallest selenium increase." "Selenium status decreases with age and may contribute to declines in neuropsychologic[al] functions among aging people," concluded the researchers. Further research is required, said the researchers, particularly a randomised controlled trials in humans, to further confirm these results. "This dynamic approach could shed new light on the potential benefits of supplementation," said Akbaraly. Such is the interest in dietary approaches to improve brain health the world's largest food company, Nestlé, recently signalled its intention to get a head start on the competition with the signing of an agreement in November 2006 with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) to investigate the role of nutrition in cognitive function. The agreement with the EPFL, Nestlé's largest collaboration with a university of research institute, will see the company contributing up to CHF 5 million (�?3.1 million) every year for five years, with a review after four years to potentially extend the project further. Source: Epidemiology
January 2007, Volume 18, Number 1, Pages 52-58
"Plasma Selenium Over Time and Cognitive Decline in the Elderly"
Authors: N.T. Akbaraly, I. Hininger-Favier, I. Carriere, J. Arnaud, V. Gourlet, A-M. Roussel, C. Berr From nutraingredients-usa.com |
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