Recently the FDA authorized the following health claims submitted by the Youngevity and Dr. Joe
Wallach. This is a huge accomplishment. Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. FDA site
- The mineral selenium has been shown in multiple studies to be an effective tool in warding off various types of cancer, including breast, esophageal, stomach, prostate, liver and bladder cancers. Selenium has been shown to induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, and to induce their apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to eliminate worn out or abnormal cells. Some medical studies suggest that selenium may help with the following:
- Prevent certain cancers
- Prevent cardiovascular disease
- Help protect the body from the poisonous effects of heavy metals and other harmful substances
Women who carry a mutation of the BRCA1 gene were found to have more chromosome breaks (which can lead to breast cancer) than women who did not carry the mutation. When women with the BRCA1 mutation were given selenium for three months, the number of their chromosome breaks were reduced to normal.
Use with Adequate Vitamin E and Iodine
Rats who receive a normal amount of vitamin E in their diets showed a 45 percent decrease in tumors when they were given selenium. But they only had a 25 percent decrease if their diet was low in vitamin E. In fact, vitamin E was considered more important than selenium in decreasing "oxidant stress" to the fat of the breast.
Selenium helps to convert T(4) - thyroxine, the prohormone with 4 molecules of iodine into T(3) - triiodothyrone, the cellularly active thyroid hormone, with three molecules of iodine. Thyroid hormones help the entire body - raising the metabolic rate and balancing physiological functions.
Other Uses for Selenium
Breast Cancer Detection - Selenium deficiency proposed as a way of detecting breast cancer risk. Selenium in serum as a possible parameter for assessment of breast disease.
Used in Europe for Lymphedema - Selenium in the treatment of radiation- associated secondary lymphedema. Results suggest that sodium selenite has a positive effect on secondary-developing lymphedema caused by radiation therapy alone or by irradiation after surgery.
Sources of Selenium
Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, seafoods and organ meats are the richest food sources of selenium. Other sources include muscle meats, cereals and other grains, and dairy products. RDA is now 200 mcg, updated from earlier recommendations of 55 mcg. Amounts of 400-600 daily have been suggested for certain chronic health problems. Please consult with your health practitioner for larger amounts.
A deficiency in selenium can lead to pain in the muscles and joints, unhealthy hair, and white spots on the fingernails. In long term cases it may even lead to Hashimoto's disease, a condition in which the body's own immune system attacks the thyroid. In rare instances, an excess of selenium can lead to bad breath, diarrhea, and even hair loss.
BRCA1 Carriers are Normalized by Oral Selenium Supplementation,
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention 2005. See also
Alternative Medicine Magazine, March 2006.