Bodybuilding.com - Clayton South - Clayton's Health Facts: Selenium.

Selenium is an essential dietary trace mineral^1,2 and is a pro oxidant³, that is an essential part of glutathione peroxidase⁴. It is essential because is serves to activate this antioxidant.

Dietary sources rich in selenium include: brazil nuts, tuna, beef liver, pasta, turkey, cod fish, chicken breast, roast beef, white bread, oatmeal, rice and whole eggs.

2. What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?

Selenium is a powerful substance and has many applications.

As an antioxidant, selenium provides protection from alcohol induced oxidative stress, thus helping to prevent alcohol-induced liver injury⁵, and reduces oxidative stress that leads to DNA damage⁶. Selenium has also been shown to reduce the damage inflicted on the hypocampus by the excitotoxin quinolinic acid⁷.

Selenium is used in the treatment of many diseases. For example, selenium has been used in the treatment of prostate cancer in men^8,9 and although one study has called the cancer fighting and cancer preventing abilities of selenium into question¹⁰, ample research has shown that it may moderately reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men^{11, 12, 13, 14,15,16,17}. It has been shown to reduce the occurance of malignant skin conditions¹⁸, improve lung function in persons with cystic fibrosis¹⁹, reduce the risk for heart disease and cancer²⁰, and offer protection from hyperoxaluria²¹. Selenium also helps to prevent the onset of dementia in elderly persons²², reduce cell death resulting from ultra-violet radiation exposure^{23, 24} as well as helping to inhibit the spread of the HIV virus²⁵.

Furthermore, selenium is used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease^{26, 27}, in the treatment of arterial sclerosis²⁸ and in the treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma²⁹ and chemoprevention³⁰. Because of its NO inhibiting ability selenium is useful in the treatment of anti-inflamatory conditions³¹ and may protect the heart from inflammation³².

Selenium is an essential dietary mineral because it acts as a catalyst for many physiological processes. Selenium is neccesary for the proper functioning of the thyroid^{33, 34, 35, 36} and is required for the proper functioning of neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, T lymphocytes and some other immune system activities³⁷.

It is used in the treatment of male infertility, and can increase the motility and quality³⁸ of sperm and increase the likeleyhood of conception³⁹ Selenium may also protect the female reproductive system from arsenic damage⁴⁰.

3. Who needs it and what are symptoms of deficiency?

There are no symptoms of difficiency. Everyone can benefit from supplementing with selenium. Populations that may benefit most from the supplementation of selenium include: children, current or recovering alcoholics, arthritics⁴¹, women with breast cancer, the elderly, persons with psoriasis^{42, 43} athletes, persons on diets, vegetarians, and african Americans and Caucasian women living in the southern United States.

Because the infant or adolescent immune system is not as strong as an adults (even when breastfeeding occurs during infancy), the immune system of a young person can be vulnerable to communicable disease and illness. Selenium supplementation is appropriate and safe for children and infants, as selenium is an ingredient in many baby food formulations^44,45. In fact, selenium acts as an immune defense agent in both infant, adolescent and adult populations. In adolescents, selenium may prevent gallstones⁴⁶.

Selenium deficiency has been correlated with immune system weakness⁴⁷ and cell death^{48, 49}. Immune system weakness often allows pathogens in animals and humans to cause illness.

Keshan disease is a childhood illnesses that results, in part, from a deficiency of selenium⁵⁰. For growing children and athletes, selenium intake should be of concern as deficiency may result in an increase in protein oxidization⁵¹. Children require high levels of protein synthesis for rapid muscular growth. When protein is oxidized by the liver, protein will not reach muscles, and muscular growth and maturation will be stunted. The same holds true for bodybuilders and athletes. Children and adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities, as well as persons suffering from swallowing dysfunction are often deficient in selenium^{52, 53}.

It has been demonstrated that women with breast cancer are frequently deficient in selenium. Selenium deficiency does not cause cancer, but selenium supplementation will compensate for selenium deficiency in persons with breast cancer⁵⁴. Newley diagnosed cancer patients should supplement with selenium as they are routinely deficient⁵⁵.

Selenium has many benefits for elderly persons. Selenium supplementation has been shown to stimulate the production of immune system boosting white blood cells, in elderly populations⁵⁶.

Bodybuilders and athletes may benefit from selenium supplementation. Many bodybuilders and athletes frequently diet. Persons dieting may become deficient in selenium⁵⁷. Bodybuilders and athletes on a ketogenic diet may benefit from selenium supplementation, because ketogenic diets are frequently result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies⁵⁸. Of particular interest to dieting athletes is the fact that selenium deficiency has a negative impact on thyroid function⁵⁹. To diet successfully, the thyroid must be functioning correctly. It should be noted that using stimulant-based diuretics will not impact blood selenium levels⁶⁰.

Older athletes can benefit from selenium supplementation⁶¹.

As with any restrictive / alternative nutrition regimen, nutritional deficiencies of all varieties may occur. Vegetarians may become selenium deficient as their alternative diets put them at risk for selenium deficiency⁶².

Southern U.S. African-american and caucasian women of various ages have been found to be deficient in selenium intake. Supplementation will benefit this population⁶³.

4. How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?

Overdosing with selenium can result in renal lesions, loss of fingernails, skin rash, and adverse changes in the nervous system⁶⁴.

5. Where can I get it?

There are different brand names that manufacture supplemental selenium.

References

1. Physician Data Query, 2002

2. National Research Council. Food and Nutrition Board. Recommended Dietary Allowances. 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.

3. Kaur R, Sharma S, Rampal S. Effect of sub-chronic selenium toxicosis on lipid peroxidation, glutathione redox cycle and antioxidant enzymes in calves. Vet Hum Toxicol. 2003 Aug;45(4):190-2.

4. Medical Subject Headings, 2003_2003_05_12

5. Sivaram AG, Suresh MV, Indira M. Combined effect of ascorbic acid and selenium supplementation on alcohol-induced oxidative stress in guinea pigs. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2003

6. Dusinska M, Kazimirova A, Barancokova M, Beno M, Smolkova B, Horska A, Raslova K, Wsolova L, Collins AR. Nutritional supplementation with antioxidants decreases chromosomal damage in humans. Mutagenesis. 2003 Jul;18(4):371-6.

7. Santamaria A, Salvatierra-Sanchez R, Vazquez-Roman B, Santiago-Lopez D, Villeda-Hernandez J, Galvan-Arzate S, Jimenez-Capdeville ME, Ali SF. Protective effects of the antioxidant selenium on quinolinic acid-induced neurotoxicity in rats: in vitro and in vivo studies. J Neurochem. 2003 Jul;86(2):479-88.

8. Moyad MA. The use of complementary/preventive medicine to prevent prostate cancer recurrence/progression following definitive therapy. Part II--rapid review of dietary supplements. Curr Opin Urol. 2003 Mar;13(2):147-51.

9. Ponholzer A, Struhal G, Madersbacher S. Frequent use of complementary medicine by prostate cancer patients. Eur Urol. 2003 Jun;43(6):604-8.

10. Vogt TM, Ziegler RG, Graubard BI, Swanson CA, Greenberg RS, Schoenberg JB, Swanson GM, Hayes RB, Mayne ST. Serum selenium and risk of prostate cancer in U.S. blacks and whites. Int J Cancer. 2003 Feb 20;103(5):664-70

11. Shirai T, Asamoto M, Takahashi S, Imaida K. Diet and prostate cancer. Toxicology. 2002 Dec 27;181-182:89-94.

12. Klein EA, Thompson IM, Lippman SM, Goodman PJ, Albanes D, Taylor PR, Coltman C. SELECT: the selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial. Urol Oncol. 2003 Jan;21(1):59-65.

13. Duffield-Lillico AJ, Dalkin BL, Reid ME, Turnbull BW, Slate EH, Jacobs ET, Marshall JR, Clark LC; Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Study Group. Selenium supplementation, baseline plasma selenium status and incidence of prostate cancer: an analysis of the complete treatment period of the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Trial. BJU Int. 2003 May;91(7):608-12

14. Klein EA, Lippman SM, Thompson IM, Goodman PJ, Albanes D, Taylor PR, Coltman C. The selenium and vitamin e cancer prevention trial. World J Urol. 2003 May;21(1):21-7. Epub 2003 Mar 08.

15. Ansari MS, Gupta NP, Hemal AK. Chemoprevention of carcinoma prostate: a review. Int Urol Nephrol. 2002;34(2):207-14.

16. Combs GF, Jr., Clark LC, Turnbull BW. Reduction of cancer risk with an oral supplement of selenium. Biomed Environ Sci 1997;10:227-34.

17. Bialy TL, Rothe MJ, Grant-Kels JM. Dietary factors in the prevention and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer and melanoma. Dermatol Surg. 2002 Dec;28(12):1143-52.

18. Wood LG, Fitzgerald DA, Lee AK, Garg ML. Improved antioxidant and fatty acid status of patients with cystic fibrosis after antioxidant supplementation is linked to improved lung function. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Jan;77(1):150-9.

19. Kafai MR, Ganji V. Sex, age, geographical location, smoking, and alcohol consumption influence serum selenium concentrations in the USA: third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2003;17(1):13-8.

20. Santhosh Kumar M, Selvam R. Supplementation of vitamin E and selenium prevents hyperoxaluria in experimental urolithic rats. J Nutr Biochem. 2003 Jun;14(6):306-313.

21. Berr C. Oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in the elderly. J Nutr Health Aging. 2002;6(4):261-6.

22. Rafferty TS, Beckett GJ, Walker C, Bisset YC, McKenzie RC. Selenium protects primary human keratinocytes from apoptosis induced by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2003 May;28(3):294-300.

23. Rafferty TS, Green MH, Lowe JE, Arlett C, Hunter JA, Beckett GJ, McKenzie RC. Effects of selenium compounds on induction of DNA damage by broadband ultraviolet radiation in human keratinocytes. Br J Dermatol. 2003 May;148(5):1001-9.

24. Foster HD. Why HIV-1 has diffused so much more rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa than in North America. Med Hypotheses. 2003 Apr;60(4):611-4.

25. Berger MM, Mustafa I. Metabolic and nutritional support in acute cardiac failure. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2003 Mar;6(2):195-201.

26. Alissa EM, Bahijri SM, Ferns GA. The controversy surrounding selenium and cardiovascular disease: a review of the evidence. Med Sci Monit. 2003 Jan;9(1):RA9-18.

27. Konovalova GG, Lisina MO, Tikhaze AK, Lankin VZ. A Complex of Antioxidant Vitamins Effectively Inhibits Free-Radical Oxidation of LDL Phospholipids in Blood Plasma and Membrane Structures of the Liver and Myocardium. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003 Feb;135(2):143-6.

28. Last KW, Cornelius V, Delves T, Sieniawska C, Fitzgibbon J, Norton A, Amess J, Wilson A, Rohatiner AZ, Lister TA. Presentation serum selenium predicts for overall survival, dose delivery, and first treatment response in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2003 Jun 15;21(12):2335-41.

29. Ip C, Dong Y, Ganther HE. New concepts in selenium chemoprevention. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2002;21(3-4):281-9.

30. Guzman DC, Ruiz NL, Mejia GB, Garcia EH, Vazquez IR, Del Angel DS, Ramirez AM, Olguin HJ. Antioxidant effects of selenium in rat brain and the stimulating role of nitric oxide. Nutr Neurosci. 2003 Jun;6(3):177-82.

31. De Souza AP, De Oliveira GM, Vanderpas J, De Castro SL, Rivera MT, Araujo-Jorge TC. Selenium supplementation at low doses contributes to the decrease in heart damage in experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Parasitol Res. 2003 Jul 22 [Epub ahead of print].

32. Kvicala J, Zamrazil V. Effect of iodine and selenium upon thyroid function. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2003 Jun;11(2):107-13.

33. Arthur JR. The role of selenium in thyroid hormone metabolism. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1991;69:1648-52.

34. Levander OA. Nutrition and newly emerging viral diseases: An overview. J Nutr 1997;127:948S-950S.

35. Corvilain B, Contempre B, Longombe AO, Goyens P, Gervy-Decoster C, Lamy F, Vanderpas JB, Dumont JE. Selenium and the thyroid: How the relationship was established. Am J Clin Nutr 1993;57 (2 Suppl):244S-248S.

36. Ferencik M, Ebringer L. Modulatory effects of selenium and zinc on the immune system. Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2003;48(3):417-26.

37. Keskes-Ammar L, Feki-Chakroun N, Rebai T, Sahnoun Z, Ghozzi H, Hammami S, Zghal K, Fki H, Damak J, Bahloul A. Sperm oxidative stress and the effect of an oral vitamin e and selenium supplement on semen quality in infertile men. Arch Androl. 2003 Mar-Apr;49(2):83-94.

38. Scott R, Macpherson A, Yates RWS, et al. The effect of oral selenium supplementation on human sperm motility. Br J Urol 1998;82:76â€"80.

39. Chattopadhyay S, Pal (Ghosh) S, Ghosh D, Debnath J. Effect of Dietary Co-Administration of Sodium Selenite on Sodium Arsenite Induced Ovarian and Uterine Disorders in Mature Albino Rats. Toxicol Sci. 2003 Jul 25 [Epub ahead of print].

40. AasethJ, Haugen M, Forre O. Rheumatoid arthritis and metal compounds-perspectives on the role of oxygen radical detoxification. Analyst 1998;123:3-6.

41. Serwin AB, Wasowicz W, Gromadzinska J, Chodynicka B. Selenium status in psoriasis and its relationship with alcohol consumption. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2002 Nov;89(2):127-37.

42. Serwin AB, Wasowicz W, Gromadzinska J, Chodynicka B. Selenium status in psoriasis and its relations to the duration and severity of the disease. Nutrition. 2003 Apr;19(4):301-4.

43. El-Arab AE, Bruggemann J. Selenium composition of cereal-containing infant formulas: assessment of dietary intake status. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2003 May;54(3):175-80.

44. Carver JD. Advances in nutritional modifications of infant formulas. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Jun;77(6):1550S-1554S.

45. Zaprudnov AM, Tsar'kova ON, Kharitonova LA, Skal'nyi AV. [Essential microelements and gallstones in children] Eksp Klin Gastroenterol. 2002;(5):63-6, 128.

46. Jackson MJ, Broome CS, McArdle F. Marginal dietary selenium intakes in the UK: are there functional consequences? J Nutr. 2003 May;133(5 Suppl 1):1557S-9S.

47. Nunes VA, Gozzo AJ, Juliano MA, Cerqueira C sar M, Sampaio MU, Sampaio CA, Ara jo MS. Antioxidant dietary deficiency induces caspase activation in chick skeletal muscle cells. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2003 Aug;36(8):1047-53. Epub 2003 Jul 23.

48. Saito Y, Yoshida Y, Akazawa T, Takahashi K, Niki E. Cell death caused by selenium deficiency and protective effect of antioxidants. J Biol Chem. 2003 Jul 29 [Epub ahead of print].

49. Beck MA, Levander OA, Handy J. Selenium deficiency and viral infection. J Nutr. 2003 May;133(5 Suppl 1):1463S-7S.

50. Moskovitz J, Stadtman ER. Selenium-deficient diet enhances protein oxidation and affects methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrB) protein level in certain mouse tissues. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Jun 24;100(13):7486-90. Epub 2003 Jun 05.

51. Kumode M. [Management of nutrition in children and adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities] No To Hattatsu. 2003 May;35(3):206-10.

52.Kumode M. [Management of nutrition in children and adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities] No To Hattatsu. 2003 May;35(3):206-10.

53. Lopez-Saez JB, Senra-Varela A, Pousa-Estevez L. Selenium in breast cancer. Oncology. 2003;64(3):227-31.

54. Postovsky S, Arush MW, Diamond E, Elhasid R, Shoshani G, Shamir R. The prevalence of low selenium levels in newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2003 Jun;20(4):273-80.

55. Peretz A, NÃ©ve J, Desmedt J, et al. Lymphocyte response is enhanced by supplementation of elderly subjects with selenium-enriched yeast. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:1323â€"8.

56. Paeratakul S, York-Crowe EE, Williamson DA, Ryan DH, Bray GA. Americans on diet: results from the 1994-1996 continuing survey of food intakes by individuals. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002 Sep;102(9):1247-51.

57. Bergqvist AG, Chee CM, Lutchka L, Rychik J, Stallings VA. Selenium deficiency associated with cardiomyopathy: a complication of the ketogenic diet. Epilepsia. 2003 Apr;44(4):618-20.

58. Zimmermann MB, Kohrle J. The impact of iron and selenium deficiencies on iodine and thyroid metabolism: biochemistry and relevance to public health. Thyroid. 2002 Oct;12(10):867-78.

59. da Cunha S, Albanesi Filho FM, da Cunha Bastos VL, Antelo DS, Souza MM. Thiamin, selenium, and copper levels in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy taking diuretics. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2002 Nov;79(5):454-65.

60. Kujala UM, Sarna S, Kaprio J. Use of medications and dietary supplements in later years among male former top-level athletes. Arch Intern Med. 2003 May 12;163(9):1064-8.

61. Eves A, Gesch B. Food provision and the nutritional implications of food choices made by young adult males, in a young offenders' institution. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2003 Jun;16(3):167-79.

62. Lewis SM, Mayhugh MA, Freni SC, Thorn B, Cardoso S, Buffington C, Jairaj K, Feuers RJ. Assessment of antioxidant nutrient intake of a population of southern u.s. African-american and caucasian women of various ages when compared to dietary reference intakes. J Nutr Health Aging. 2003;7(2):121-8.

63. Zhu YS, Xu HB, Huang KX, Hu WH, Liu ML. A study on human urine in a high-selenium area of China by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2002 Nov;89(2):155-63.

64. Yang GQ, Zhou RH. Further observations on the human maximum safe dietary selenium intake in a seleniferous area of China. J Trace Elem Electrolytes Hlth Dis 1994;8:159â€"65.

Find Selenium At The Bodybuilding.com Store...

claytonsouth@bodybuilders.com

Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here!

Visitor Reviews Of This Article!
Read Visitor Reviews - Write Your Own Review

Back To Clayton South's Main Page

Back To The Articles Main Page.

BodySpace - Join FREE!

BodySpace is YOUR key to success! Create a profile, meet others, track your progress and much more!
Learn More!

Member Login