foodconsumer.org

Selenium strikes powerful blow to skin cancer

Sat, 09 May 2009 13:57:00 +0000

Saturday Amy 9, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- Skin cancer’s biggest foe might not be vitamin E, but rather a mineral that boosts the immune system. Selenium,

Liz

Sun, 10 May 2009 03:00:11 +0000

Selenium...mmm. So why isn't this widely published? Just so the cancer drug companies can make money? My friend is going through torture with this disease. Sad that we cannot get information to the general public on such simple matters.

Keith Beatty

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:14:52 +0000

Selenium nutrition is evolving with time and research. The amount we can tolerate is quite low before selenium becomes toxic and the body has no means of actively absorbing or excreting selenium. Early researchers noticed that 120 micrograms per day was associated with reduced heart disease. The USA diet was estimated around 50 micrograms per day. Toxicity was thought to begin at 150 micrograms per day. Hence the caution to recommend selenium. Subsequent studies using 200 micrograms per day showed benefit without toxicity. You can now find 200 microgram selenium supplements on the shelf. Selenium is one nutrient where more is not better.

A key enzyme system for repairing oxidation of fats requires selenium and glutathione as cofactors. This is a two enzyme system of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase.