Search:

Selenium and the Influence on Human Health

Selenium is a trace mineral that is found in varying quantities in the soil. Regional variations are reflected in the amount of selenium found in plants. This amount is reflected in the selenium content of animal and vegetable products in human foods and consequently has a big impact on the amount of selenium in the human diet. This has brought on a health issue in many parts of the world.

Low selenium concentration in the blood is associated with increase risk of spontaneous abortion, male fertility, increased risk of cancer and higher cancer mortality rates. An inverse relationship between blood selenium concentration and cardiovascular disease has also been reported.

Biological role of selenium is listed below.

Anti oxidation: neutralize the toxic by products of oxygen metabolism or from the environment or from normal metabolic processes in the body.

Thyroid metabolism

Immune function

Fertility

Poor growth, inefficiency

Muscular myopathy

Selenium Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Selenium supplements may help protect against cancers of the lung, colon, rectum and prostate. Selenium supplementation of the human diet significantly decreased cancer mortality.

Selenium Increases the Chances of Aids Survival

The selenium deficiency decreases the immune response and so makes us more susceptible to disease. A deficiency of selenium has profound effect on survival in HIV – infected men and women. HIV-1 infected patients with selenium deficiency are 20 times more likely to die of HIV related causes than those with adequate selenium levels.

Selenium Reduces the Risk of Strokes and Heart Attacks

Selenium’s anti oxidant properties may have a role to play in the primary and secondary prevention of heart disease. Selenium is necessary for the formation of a group of substances called prostaglandins that give protection against high blood pressure. These prostaglandins also help to prevent the abnormal blood clotting in arteries that may lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Selenium Helps Keep a Healthy Blood Sugar Level

Selenium is reported to mimic the action of insulin. In studies, selenium has shown to mediate a number of insulin like actions such as stimulating glucose uptake and regulating metabolic processes including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid synthesis and the pentose phosphate pathway. Selenium is also reported to play a role in reducing the oxidative stress associated with diabetes, thereby retarding the progression of the secondary complications of diabetes such as neuropathy, retinopathy and cataracts.

Selenium Reduces Arthritis Pain

Low selenium status has been associated with the incidence of arthritis. Preliminary studies indicate the beneficial role of selenium as a free radical scavenger that may delay the progression of arthritis.