Selenium

[Guest guest]

Michele: New Beginnings Nutritionals has selenium drops...very nice,

we love them! We mix them into his supps in the morning with no

problems.

Kim

>

> How are people getting selenium into the diet? I bought pill form at

Whole

> Foods but haven't started yet.

>

> By the way, we have just finished a week of GSE and No-phenol and

have

> seen great results. Overall, my son just seems more with it- More

appropriate

> play and increased flexibility in language. We are thrilled with it!

>

> Michele

>

[Guest guest]

>

> How are people getting selenium into the diet? I bought pill form

at Whole

> Foods but haven't started yet.

I gave 100mcg per day for many months. It caused nice improvements

for my son.

> By the way, we have just finished a week of GSE and No-phenol and have

> seen great results. Overall, my son just seems more with it- More

appropriate

> play and increased flexibility in language. We are thrilled with it!

Great!

Dana

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/5/2006 4:01:40 AM Pacific Standard Time, cathy@...

writes:

How are people getting selenium into the diet?

i use selenium liquid by elyte and new beginnings (just a few drops).

vicki

[Guest guest]

How are people getting selenium into the diet?

Hi

My boys have 2 or 3 brazil nuts every day - this seems to be a good dose for

them. Before starting on the whole nuts, they had a nut spread on their

rice cakes which was 1/3 brazil nuts.

Good luck

:-)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Chuck. I think I will give it a try.

Venizia

-- In hypothyroidism , Chuck B <gumboyaya@...> wrote:

>

> Venizia,

>

> You wrote:

> >

> >

> > I was considering selenium before you mentioned it....I was considering

200mcg.

>

> That is what I take plus what is in a multivitamin. I haven't really

> noticed a difference when I take it, though. The literature says it is

> one of the few supplements really well documented as necessary for T4/T3

> conversion.

>

> Chuck

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi bee

> I noticed on your site that you suggest selenium for liver spots ,

can you tell me reccommended daily dosage please ..

==>I do not recommend selenium supplements for anything; what article

did you find that in? Did I write it?

> All is going well with me, I am constantly suprised by how much

better I feel especially with my moods I feel so happy..

> Anyway I still wake up in the mornings with a mild hangover feeling

> but things have improved immensly and I hope to write my own

testimonial in the next few months. Bless you for giving me a second

chance at my life kisses and hugs

==>I'm so happy for you Pip. Keep up the good work.

XXX & Hugs to you too, Bee

[Guest guest]

Hey Bee

it was in the beauty is only skin deep article over on your website.

Blessings

pip

xx

> >

> > Hi bee

> > I noticed on your site that you suggest selenium for liver

spots ,

> can you tell me reccommended daily dosage please ..

>

> ==>I do not recommend selenium supplements for anything; what

article

> did you find that in? Did I write it?

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oops. I'll have to correct that.

Thanks Pip.

Bee

> > >

> > > Hi bee

> > > I noticed on your site that you suggest selenium for liver

> spots ,

> > can you tell me reccommended daily dosage please ..

> >

> > ==>I do not recommend selenium supplements for anything; what

> article

> > did you find that in? Did I write it?

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

As far as I know, your supposed to take selenium and zinc during

chelation. Selenium is important as are the other things on the

supplement list for chelation. As long as they are tolerated. There

are some people who do not tolerate selenium that are mercury toxic,

but mainly I have seen this in adults rather than children.

We have not had any issues with it. Matter of fact, if we don't take

all the minerals and antioxidants, we have a harder time with

chelation. My son took selenium for his first year, we have recently

discontinued it, because it seems to make him hyper now. Which would

indicate he does not need it.

>

> Hello All -

> I just skimmed over the 2/07 article in the files section that

talked

> about the interaction of selenium and dmsa. Am I interpreting this

> correctly - selenium should be avoided during chelation? I didn't

> totally get the part about zinc either (might be because my little

guy

> keeps talking to me while I'm trying to read!)

>

> Any input would be helpful.... My daughter just had selenium added

to

> her compounded vitamin/mineral supplement.

>

> Thanks -

> Patty

>

[Guest guest]

Elliot

I noticed you mentioned most people being deficient in selenium. Do

you take supplements for this or do you recommend certain food with

selenium? What are those foods?

Thanks

GB

> 9) that the Budwig and Gerson protocols work for many people, and so

> are likely good for most people diagnosed with cancer to try

>

> 10) that a great many people are selenium and magnesium deficient, so

> that it is a good idea for most people to supplement their diets with

> these things

>

[Guest guest]

> Selenomethione is a synthetic laboratory created form not found in nature

I discussed this with the manager of the health food store who does a great

deal of research...the kind of selenium I am taking is extremely bio

compatable. It's a lower amt than what you are taking but he said I can up my

dose.

**************

Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.

(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/\

2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/20/08 6:12:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,

aguayot@... writes:

> What kind of selenium are you taking? Is it L-selenomethionate?

>

No..that kind is chemically made.

I take MagaFood Cold Fusion Selenium (validated 100% whole food)

**************

Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.

(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/

2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

[Guest guest]

What kind of selenium are you taking? Is it L-selenomethionate?

Thanks,

Thresa

wrote:

the kind of selenium I am taking is extremely bio

compatable. It's a lower amt than what you are taking but he said I

can up my dose.

[Guest guest]

My husband takes SeleNext 200 mcg

Methylselenocysteine by Jarrow. It was suggested by

his MD. I think it has broccoli max and Vitamin B2

and Vitamin E. I don't know if this is high enough for

some of you.

[Guest guest]

If I had (or wanted to prevent) cancer, selenium supplements would be

a priority. My notes:

selenium-- effective w/some leukemias, gliomas (brain cancer), GBM,

skin (including melanoma), lung, & some breast cancers, & Ehrlich

ascites cells. Use an organic form (NOT sodium selenite, which can be

toxic). Schachter says most cancer patients can take 400-600mcg. I've

seen up to 1mg of L-Selenomethionine recommended, but don't take huge

doses w/o medical supervision. " best form of selenium for fighting all

types of cancer may be

Se-methylselenocysteine, or SeMSC...90% less toxic, than any other

known form of selenium...33% better reduction of cancerous

lesions…Induce apoptosis...Reduce intratumoral microvessel density and

angiogenesis. Down-regulate...VEGF " LEF.org, 2006

Companies making SeMSC include Jarrow.com and LEF.org.

Synergistic w/vit. E (so take them together) and indoles (cruciferous

vegetables). May be unsuitable for children.

G-glutamyl-methylselenocysteine's much better than L-Selenomethionine,

but I don't think it's commercially available. Selenium may be

contraindicated for patients receiving benzaldehyde and may interfere

w/certain ovarian cancer therapies . However, “selenium…reduce bone

marrow suppression and nephrotoxicity in women being treated for

ovarian cancer with cisplatin….The higher the patient's selenium

levels, the longer they tend to stay in remission….[selenium] prevents

drug resistance [MDR] [and] increases the therapeutic effect on

cancer†www.denvernaturopathic.com (Selenium, Ovarian Cancer and

Chemotherapy: 8/16/04); “can partially reverse MDRâ€

www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/multidrugresistance.html)

“I have acquired a fondness for selenium and find myself using it

more†Gammill. For info,

www.mdanderson.org/departments/CIMER/display.cfm?id=43EF7FE5-0DAF-11D5-810D00508\

B603A14 & method=displayFull & pn=6EB86A59-EBD9-11D4-810100508B603A14

In general, I think www.affordable-Megafood.com (food-based)

is 1 of the best brands of vitamins and minerals

I think someone asked about using a sauna-type treatment as a

hyperthermia device. Saunas and similar things don't produce nearly

high enough internal temperatures to kill cancer, though they're great

for detox, which is very valuable.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/22/08 12:48:48 AM Eastern Standard Time,

leonardleonard1@... writes:

> I've

> seen up to 1mg of L-Selenomethionine recommended,

Leonard..do you think that this is better than the food source? My health

advisor thinks that the natural food source is superior to the chemcial form.

Pleasea advise,

**************

Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.

(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/\

2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

[Guest guest]

Hi, Pam!

May I suggest you go to the SEARCH box at the top of the message page

on the website of this group and type in " selenium " ? That will show you all the

recent, and older, messages about selenium that have been posted, and by reading

those, including my own recent ones, all your questions will be answered.

Best wishes and best of health,

Elliot

[Moderator's note: This link takes you to the message page & search box]

/messages

Or, scroll down below your posted message, only on the website, and see others

on the same topic.

[Guest guest]

My recollection is that too much selenium intake has visible symptoms likediscolored finger nails and toenails.  JROn Feb 28, 2008, at 9:35 AM, Diane Walter wrote:Walford discusses selenium in BYT20YD. This article discusses howthere is a fine line between too much and too little. Does any test measure blood levels of selenium? None of mine mention it.Dianehttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_61552.htmlModerate Selenium Levels Tied to Longer LifeNEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When it comes to the effects of seleniumon health and longevity, you may be able to get too much of a goodthing. While moderate levels of the mineral are associated withlongevity, once selenium levels climb past a certain mark, the odds ofdying from any cause, or from cancer specifically, begin to tipupward, a new study suggests.The study, of nearly 14,000 U.S. adults, found that higher bloodlevels of selenium were linked to a lower risk of death over 12 years,at which point the risk appears to increase.The findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, supportearlier studies linking selenium to lower risks of prostate, lung andcolon cancers. But the study also "raises the concern that high-normallevels of selenium may be associated with an increased risk ofmortality," write the researchers, led by Dr. Joachim Bleys of sHopkins University School of Public Health in Baltimore.Selenium is a mineral that people require in small amounts; foodsources include grains, certain nuts and some meats and seafood, suchas beef and tuna.The body incorporates selenium into proteins called selenoproteins,which act as antioxidant enzymes; antioxidants, in turn, helpneutralize cell-damaging substances called free radicals. Some studieshave linked higher selenium levels to lower risks of certain cancersand heart disease.However, much of the research has been done in countries wherepeople's selenium levels are often fairly low.Most Americans, by contrast, get more than the recommended amount ofselenium. While the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is only 55micrograms per day, the typical intake in the U.S. ranges from 60 to220 micrograms daily.For their study, Bleys and his colleagues used data for 13,887 U.S.adults who took part in a government health and nutrition study. Theyfound that as the participants' blood levels of selenium increased,their odds of dying during the 12-year study period declined -- butonly up to a point.Once blood levels of selenium surpassed 130 ng/mL, the benefitsstopped accruing; and once they passed 150 ng/mL, the odds of dyingfrom any cause, or from cancer in particular, began to creep back up.The findings caution against consuming too much selenium, according tothe researchers."Most people in the U.S. obtain adequate selenium from their diet,"Bleys told Reuters Health, noting that outright selenium deficiency israre.Given this, and the potential for adverse effects from high seleniumlevels, Bleys said there is "no rationale" for recommending seleniumsupplements to the general public.It is not clear why high-normal selenium levels were tied to anincreased death risk. But in theory, Bleys explained, excess seleniumthat is not incorporated into selenoproteins may actually generatefree radicals rather than fight them.SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, February 25, 2008.

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

This on excessive selenium is from the Linus ing Center at Oregon State University:

"Toxicity

"Although selenium is required for health, like other nutrients, high doses of selenium can be toxic. Acute and fatal toxicities have occurred with accidental or suicidal ingestion of gram quantities of selenium. Clinically significant selenium toxicity was reported in 13 individuals after taking supplements that contained 27.3 milligrams (27,300 mcg) per tablet due to a manufacturing error. Chronic selenium toxicity (selenosis) may occur with smaller doses of selenium over long periods of time. The most frequently reported symptoms of selenosis are hair and nail brittleness and loss. Other symptoms may include gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rashes, a garlic breath odor, fatigue, irritability, and nervous system abnormalities. In an area of China with a high prevalence of selenosis, toxic effects occurred with increasing frequency when blood selenium concentrations reached a level corresponding to an intake of 850 mcg/day. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine recently set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for selenium at 400 mcg/day in adults based on the prevention of hair and nail brittleness and loss and early signs of chronic selenium toxicity (15). The UL of 400 mcg/day for adults (see table below) includes selenium obtained from food, which averages about 100 mcg/day for adults in the U.S., as well as selenium from supplements. For more information on the data used to set the recent RDA and UL for selenium, see The New Recommendations for Dietary Antioxidants: A Response and Position Statement by the Linus ing Institute in the Spring/Summer 2000 issue of the Linus ing Institute newsletter."

--------------------

It should be said that certainly all the dietarily essential metal elements are dangerous in excess. That includes calcium, iron, sodium, selenium, zinc, magnesium, copper ......... . Probably the non-metallic ones also.

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/

Rodney.

> > > Walford discusses selenium in BYT20YD. This article discusses how> > there is a fine line between too much and too little. Does any> > test measure blood levels of selenium? None of mine mention it.> >> > Diane> >> > http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_61552.html> >> > Moderate Selenium Levels Tied to Longer Life> >> > NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When it comes to the effects of selenium> > on health and longevity, you may be able to get too much of a good> > thing. While moderate levels of the mineral are associated with> > longevity, once selenium levels climb past a certain mark, the odds of> > dying from any cause, or from cancer specifically, begin to tip> > upward, a new study suggests.> >> > The study, of nearly 14,000 U.S. adults, found that higher blood> > levels of selenium were linked to a lower risk of death over 12 years,> > at which point the risk appears to increase.> >> > The findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, support> > earlier studies linking selenium to lower risks of prostate, lung and> > colon cancers. But the study also "raises the concern that high-normal> > levels of selenium may be associated with an increased risk of> > mortality," write the researchers, led by Dr. Joachim Bleys of s> > Hopkins University School of Public Health in Baltimore.> >> > Selenium is a mineral that people require in small amounts; food> > sources include grains, certain nuts and some meats and seafood, such> > as beef and tuna.> >> > The body incorporates selenium into proteins called selenoproteins,> > which act as antioxidant enzymes; antioxidants, in turn, help> > neutralize cell-damaging substances called free radicals. Some studies> > have linked higher selenium levels to lower risks of certain cancers> > and heart disease.> >> > However, much of the research has been done in countries where> > people's selenium levels are often fairly low.> >> > Most Americans, by contrast, get more than the recommended amount of> > selenium. While the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is only 55> > micrograms per day, the typical intake in the U.S. ranges from 60 to> > 220 micrograms daily.> >> > For their study, Bleys and his colleagues used data for 13,887 U.S.> > adults who took part in a government health and nutrition study. They> > found that as the participants' blood levels of selenium increased,> > their odds of dying during the 12-year study period declined -- but> > only up to a point.> >> > Once blood levels of selenium surpassed 130 ng/mL, the benefits> > stopped accruing; and once they passed 150 ng/mL, the odds of dying> > from any cause, or from cancer in particular, began to creep back up.> >> > The findings caution against consuming too much selenium, according to> > the researchers.> >> > "Most people in the U.S. obtain adequate selenium from their diet,"> > Bleys told Reuters Health, noting that outright selenium deficiency is> > rare.> >> > Given this, and the potential for adverse effects from high selenium> > levels, Bleys said there is "no rationale" for recommending selenium> > supplements to the general public.> >> > It is not clear why high-normal selenium levels were tied to an> > increased death risk. But in theory, Bleys explained, excess selenium> > that is not incorporated into selenoproteins may actually generate> > free radicals rather than fight them.> >> > SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, February 25, 2008.> >> >> >>

[Guest guest]

Arch Intern Med. 2008 Feb 25;168(4):404-10. LinksSerum Selenium Levels and All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality Among US Adults.Bleys J, Navas-Acien A, Guallar E.PMID: 18299496 BACKGROUND: Selenium, an essential trace element involved in defense against oxidative stress, may prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated

the association between selenium levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a representative sample of US adults. METHODS: Serum selenium levels were measured in 13 887 adult participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Study participants were recruited from 1988 to 1994 and followed up for mortality for up to 12 years. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium level was 125.6 ng/mL. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios comparing the highest (>/= 130.39 ng/mL) with the lowest (< 117.31 ng/mL) serum selenium level tertile were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.96) for all-cause mortality, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.53-0.90) for cancer mortality, and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.77-1.16) for cardiovascular mortality. However, based on spline regression models, the association between serum selenium levels and all-cause and cancer mortality was nonlinear, with an inverse association at low selenium levels (< 130 ng/mL) and a modest increase in

mortality at high selenium levels (> 150 ng/mL). There was no association between serum selenium levels and cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a representative sample of the US population, we found a nonlinear association between serum selenium levels and all-cause and cancer mortality. Increasing serum selenium levels were associated with decreased mortality up to 130 ng/mL. Our study, however, raises the concern that higher serum selenium levels may be associated with increased mortality. PMID: 18299496Arch Intern Med. 2008 Feb 25;168(4):404-10. LinksSerum Selenium Levels and All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality Among US Adults.Bleys J, Navas-Acien A, Guallar E.Department of Epidemiology, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, The s Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2024 E Monument St, Room 2-636, Baltimore, MD 21205. jbleys@.... BACKGROUND: Selenium, an essential trace element involved in defense against oxidative stress, may prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the association between selenium levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a representative sample of US adults. METHODS: Serum selenium levels were measured in 13 887 adult participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Study participants were recruited from 1988 to 1994 and followed up for mortality for up to 12 years. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium level was 125.6 ng/mL. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios comparing the highest (>/= 130.39 ng/mL) with the lowest (< 117.31 ng/mL) serum selenium level tertile were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.96) for all-cause mortality, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.53-0.90) for cancer mortality, and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.77-1.16) for cardiovascular mortality. However, based

on spline regression models, the association between serum selenium levels and all-cause and cancer mortality was nonlinear, with an inverse association at low selenium levels (< 130 ng/mL) and a modest increase in mortality at high selenium levels (> 150 ng/mL). There was no association between serum selenium levels and cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a representative sample of the US population, we found a nonlinear association between serum selenium levels and all-cause and cancer mortality. Increasing serum selenium levels were associated with decreased mortality up to 130 ng/mL. Our study, however, raises the concern that higher serum selenium levels may be associated with increased mortality. PMID: 18299496Arch Intern Med. 2008 Feb 25;168(4):404-10. LinksSerum Selenium Levels and All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality Among US Adults.Bleys J, Navas-Acien A, Guallar E.Department of Epidemiology, Welch Center for

Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, The s Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2024 E Monument St, Room 2-636, Baltimore, MD 21205. jbleys@.... BACKGROUND: Selenium, an essential trace element involved in defense against oxidative stress, may prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the association between selenium levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a representative sample of US adults. METHODS: Serum selenium levels were measured in 13 887 adult participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Study participants were recruited from 1988 to 1994 and followed up for mortality for up to 12 years. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium level was 125.6 ng/mL. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios comparing the highest (>/= 130.39 ng/mL) with the lowest (< 117.31 ng/mL) serum selenium level tertile were 0.83 (95% confidence

interval [CI], 0.72-0.96) for all-cause mortality, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.53-0.90) for cancer mortality, and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.77-1.16) for cardiovascular mortality. However, based on spline regression models, the association between serum selenium levels and all-cause and cancer mortality was nonlinear, with an inverse association at low selenium levels (< 130 ng/mL) and a modest increase in mortality at high selenium levels (> 150 ng/mL). There was no association between serum selenium levels and cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a representative sample of the US population, we found a nonlinear association between serum selenium levels and all-cause and cancer mortality. Increasing serum selenium levels were associated with decreased mortality up to 130 ng/mL. Our study, however, raises the concern that higher serum selenium levels may be associated with increased mortality. Diane Walter <dianepwalter@...>

wrote: Walford discusses selenium in BYT20YD. This article discusses howthere is a fine line between too much and too little. Does any test measure blood levels of selenium? None of mine mention it.Dianehttp://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlinep lus/news/ fullstory_ 61552.htmlModerate Selenium Levels Tied to Longer LifeNEW YORK (Reuters Health) - ...

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

Further on this point, and using zinc as an example. There tends to be a belief among CRONistas that we should always try to maximize nutrients within the number of calories we permit ourselves. But there are dangers on the upside, as well as the downside.

Take a look at what the risks are of being deficient zinc - from food I generally get only about half the RDA for it - again with information from Oregon State:

"Severe zinc deficiency

"......... The symptoms of severe zinc deficiency include the slowing or cessation of growth and development, delayed sexual maturation, characteristic skin rashes, chronic and severe diarrhea, immune system deficiencies, impaired wound healing, diminished appetite, impaired taste sensation, night blindness, swelling and clouding of the corneas, and behavioral disturbances. ..........

"Mild zinc deficiency

"It has recently become apparent that milder zinc deficiency contributes to a number of health problems, especially common in children who live in developing countries. The lack of a sensitive indicator of mild zinc deficiency hinders the scientific study of its health implications. However, controlled trials of moderate zinc supplementation have demonstrated that mild zinc deficiency contributes to impaired physical and neuropsychological development and increased susceptibility to life-threatening infections in young children. For a more detailed discussion of the relationship of zinc deficiency to health problems, see Disease Prevention."

So, you say to yourself, "I don't want to suffer any of those problems so I had better supplement zinc." But now take a look at the problems of excessive zinc:

"Acute toxicity

"Isolated outbreaks of acute zinc toxicity have occurred as a result of the consumption of food or beverages contaminated with zinc released from galvanized containers. Signs of acute zinc toxicity are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Single doses of 225 to 450 mg of zinc usually induce vomiting. Milder gastrointestinal distress has been reported at doses of 50 to 150 mg/day of supplemental zinc. Metal fume fever has been reported after the inhalation of zinc oxide fumes. Specifically, profuse sweating, weakness, and rapid breathing may develop within eight hours of zinc oxide inhalation and persist 12-24 hours after exposure is terminated.

"Adverse effects

"The major consequence of long-term consumption of excessive zinc is copper deficiency. Total zinc intakes of 60 mg/day (50 mg supplemental and 10 mg dietary zinc) have been found to result in signs of copper deficiency. In order to prevent copper deficiency, the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board set the tolerable upper level of intake (UL) for adults at 40 mg/day, including dietary and supplemental zinc".

The current RDA for zinc is 11mg/day. The upper safe limit 40mg daily. One 50mg zinc pill a week brings me up to the RDA. Alternatively, napa cabbage is an excellent source of zinc. Just ~35 calories of it daily (or 245 calories once a week) would provide the entire requirement.

On the other side of the argument, 120 calories of napa every day and you would be in danger of overdosing zinc. For that matter just one 50mg zinc tablet daily would put me well over the upper safe limit when zinc from food is included.

I give this simply as an example. These kinds of numbers suggest to me that everyone should track their usual daily food intake for a full week occasionally to determine if they may be going wrong somewhere ......... on the upside or the downside. When I do this I have consistently found I am deficient four micronutrients. But with rather minor adjustments to what I habitually eat I could easily be overdosing nutrients like selenium or zinc, and no doubt others.

So the widespread belief about maximization of nutrients in the CRON community needs to be approached cautiously. Especially when we see evidence suggesting that in the case of some essential nutrients (methionine, for example, and how do we know there aren't others?) the smallest amount we can get away with may, possibly, turn out to be the best for longevity.

Just my two cents.

Rodney.

>> > Hi folks:> > This on excessive selenium is from the Linus ing Center at Oregon> State University:> > "Toxicity> > "Although selenium is required for health, like other nutrients, high> doses of selenium can be toxic. Acute and fatal toxicities have occurred> with accidental or suicidal ingestion of gram quantities of selenium.> Clinically significant selenium toxicity was reported in 13 individuals> after taking supplements that contained 27.3 milligrams (27,300 mcg) per> tablet due to a manufacturing error. Chronic selenium toxicity> (selenosis) may occur with smaller doses of selenium over long periods> of time. The most frequently reported symptoms of selenosis are hair and> nail brittleness and loss. Other symptoms may include gastrointestinal> disturbances, skin rashes, a garlic breath odor, fatigue, irritability,> and nervous system abnormalities. In an area of China with a high> prevalence of selenosis, toxic effects occurred with increasing> frequency when blood selenium concentrations reached a level> corresponding to an intake of 850 mcg/day. The Food and Nutrition Board> (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine recently set the tolerable upper> intake level (UL> <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/glossary.html#ul> ) for selenium> at 400 mcg/day in adults based on the prevention of hair and nail> brittleness and loss and early signs of chronic selenium toxicity (15)> <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/seleniumrefs.ht\> ml#ref15> . The UL of 400 mcg/day for adults (see table below) includes> selenium obtained from food, which averages about 100 mcg/day for adults> in the U.S., as well as selenium from supplements. For more information> on the data used to set the recent RDA and UL for selenium, see The New> Recommendations for Dietary Antioxidants: A Response and Position> Statement by the Linus ing Institute> <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/s-s00/recommend.html> in the Spring/Summer> 2000 issue of the Linus ing Institute newsletter."> > --------------------> > It should be said that certainly all the dietarily essential metal> elements are dangerous in excess. That includes calcium, iron, sodium,> selenium, zinc, magnesium, copper ......... . Probably the> non-metallic ones also.> > http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/> <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/>> > Rodney.

[Guest guest]

A paper by Lisk[1] warned about the variability of selenium content in

Brazil nuts. Depending on the region where they grow, Brazil nuts can

have a toxic level of selenium. Unfortunately, we may never know what

we are eating unless we test every morsel that we put in our mouth.

Brazil nuts are also notorious for absorbing radioactive isotopes[2].

Tony

http://scientificpsychic.com/blog/2007/08/29/brazil-nuts-a-variable-source-of-se\

lenium/

[1] Carol L. Secor, J. Lisk (1989), Variation in the selenium

content of individual brazil nuts, Journal of Food Safety, 9(4),

279–281 (1989).

[2] THE NATURALLY OCCURRING alpha-RAY ACTIVITY OF FOODS

http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=4275150

>

>

> Hi folks:

>

> This on excessive selenium is from the Linus ing Center at Oregon

> State University:

>

> " Toxicity

>

> " Although selenium is required for health, like other nutrients, high

> doses of selenium can be toxic. Acute and fatal toxicities have occurred

> with accidental or suicidal ingestion of gram quantities of selenium.

> Clinically significant selenium toxicity was reported in 13 individuals

> after taking supplements that contained 27.3 milligrams (27,300 mcg) per

> tablet due to a manufacturing error. Chronic selenium toxicity

> (selenosis) may occur with smaller doses of selenium over long periods

> of time. The most frequently reported symptoms of selenosis are hair and

> nail brittleness and loss. Other symptoms may include gastrointestinal

> disturbances, skin rashes, a garlic breath odor, fatigue, irritability,

> and nervous system abnormalities. In an area of China with a high

> prevalence of selenosis, toxic effects occurred with increasing

> frequency when blood selenium concentrations reached a level

> corresponding to an intake of 850 mcg/day. The Food and Nutrition Board

> (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine recently set the tolerable upper

> intake level (UL

> <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/glossary.html#ul> ) for selenium

> at 400 mcg/day in adults based on the prevention of hair and nail

> brittleness and loss and early signs of chronic selenium toxicity (15)

>

<http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/seleniumrefs.ht\

> ml#ref15> . The UL of 400 mcg/day for adults (see table below) includes

> selenium obtained from food, which averages about 100 mcg/day for adults

> in the U.S., as well as selenium from supplements. For more information

> on the data used to set the recent RDA and UL for selenium, see The New

> Recommendations for Dietary Antioxidants: A Response and Position

> Statement by the Linus ing Institute

> <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/s-s00/recommend.html> in the Spring/Summer

> 2000 issue of the Linus ing Institute newsletter. "

>

> --------------------

>

> It should be said that certainly all the dietarily essential metal

> elements are dangerous in excess. That includes calcium, iron, sodium,

> selenium, zinc, magnesium, copper ......... . Probably the

> non-metallic ones also.

>

> http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/

> <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/>

>

> Rodney.

>

[Guest guest]

As I have mentioned in relation to calcium and protein and other nutrients, there is way more to the story than just an DRI or RDA. I think it is important to not only know these numbers, but know why there set and the background science behind it. We often realize that these numbers are not so set and depending on our lifestyle and other dietary factors, may be different by a significant amount.On Zinc...The US RDA is 11 mg for men and 8 for women.However, the numbers in the US are elevated because they think our average diet has a low bio-availability because of the high phytate levels of our typical diet that is high in refined grains/From Human Vitamin and Mineral RequirementsReport of a joint FAO/WHO expert consultationBangkok, ThailandWORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONFOOD SND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONSRome, 2002(Rodney, I think you have something to read this weekend now!) :)You will notice that the recommendations for a diet with high to mod bio-availability is only 4.2 to 7.http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/Y2809E/y2809e0m.htm#bm22.6This is why I made my earlier comment about not "overly" micro-managing things.Regardsjeff

[Guest guest]

I was just reading about Selenium and RA today. It suggests what you are saying.

Here is the URL:

http://www.thorne.com/media/Rheumatoid Arthritis.pdf

[ ] selenium

Does anyone know the correlation between Selenium deficiency and arthritis

pain? I have seen some stuff that indicates this. My labs just showed a

Selenium deficiency, and I have been in quite a bit of pain lately.

a-tbug5

To those who believe, no explanation is necessary; to those who dont, no

explanation is possible

[Guest guest]

Hi , I googled " symptoms of selenium deficiency " and this is

what I found at

http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/lifescience/GeneralBiology/

Biochemistry/VitaminsMinerals/TraceMinerals/TraceMinerals.htm :

Selenium

Selenium is an essential nonmetallic element. Foods containing selenium

include meat, poultry, grains, and seafood. Some reports have suggested

that selenium may protect against certain types of cancer, but large

trials in humans are needed to support this. Selenium is important for

the function of several proteins. One of these is glutathione

peroxidase, an enzyme that prevents oxidative damage to cells from a

variety of peroxides. Selenium also appears to bind to some minerals

such as arsenic and mercury and decrease their toxicity.

Deficiency

Although selenium deficiency is uncommon in the United States, low

levels in the body may be associated with acute illness and prolonged

IV nutrition. Symptoms of selenium deficiency include muscle weakness

and pain, inflammation of the muscles, fragile red blood cells,

degeneration of the pancreas, and abnormal coloration. There have also

been associations of selenium deficiency with several diseases

affecting the heart muscle, but a protective effect against heart

disease has not been proven. In geographic areas where selenium is

deficient in the soil and therefore in food, human deficiencies have

been reported to cause dilation of the heart and congestive heart

failure.

Toxicity

Side effects with high doses of selenium supplements include hair and

nail loss, skin lesions, fatigue, irritability, liver and kidney

damage, nausea, vomiting and abnormal blood clotting. Animals in the

west grazing on plants that have accumulated selenium show acute or

chronis selenium poisoning. Chronic selenium toxicity (alkaline

disease) is characterised by muscle degeneration, rough coat, labored

breathing and cardiovascular failure. Acute selenium toxicity (blind

staggers) manifests as weight loss, anorexia, excessive salivation,

jaundice or necrosis of the heart and liver.

For cancer prevention, a typical dose of selenium is 200 micrograms per

day. The RDA for women over 19 years is 55 micrograms; for pregnant

women, 65 micrograms; for lactating women, 75 micrograms; and for men

over 19 years, 70 micrograms.

Hope this helps...........Doreen

>

>

> Does anyone know the correlation between Selenium deficiency and

> arthritis pain? I have seen some stuff that indicates this. My labs

> just showed a Selenium deficiency, and I have been in quite a bit of

> pain lately.

>

> a-tbug5

> To those who believe, no explanation is necessary; to those who

> dont, no explanation is possible

>