Another Mineral Far More Valuable Today being Valentine's Day, some women may be thinking about diamonds. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but there's another mineral that's far more valuable when it comes to good health: selenium. In previous e-Alerts I've told you how selenium increases insulin efficiency, curbs the mutation of viruses, and helps fight autoimmune disorders. Selenium has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer: specifically liver, colorectal and prostate cancers. Researchers at Germany's University of Hannover recently reported on a study in which 178 women over the age of 63 submitted blood samples and dietary information. Two nutrients were found to be significantly deficient in this group: selenium and vitamin E. This is particularly noteworthy because these antioxidants happen to complement one another. Here's what HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., had to say on this topic in the e-Alert "Mineral with Muscle" (12/18/02): "Both selenium and vitamin E are intimately associated with stimulation of the part of the immune system dealing with production of immunoglobulins. Antibody response in several animal studies was dependent on both selenium and vitamin E status. In addition, animal sensitivity to toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium) was closely related to both substances. In fact, combined deficiencies in concert with heavy metals caused sudden death in animals, associated with pathological changes of the heart. "Affecting the immune system is why so many different illnesses are said to respond to correcting deficiencies of these two nutrients…you strengthen immunity and lots of problems go away." Another recent selenium study was lead by a team from Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania. Blood samples taken from more than 630 women over the age of 70 were measured for concentrations of selenium and carotenoids (organic plant pigments that have been shown to help control inflammation). Researchers found that higher levels of selenium and total carotenoids were associated with a lower risk of mortality during the five-year study period when compared with women who had lower levels of the two nutrients. About 90 subjects died over the duration of the study. The primary causes were heart disease and cancer. Fortunately selenium and carotenoids come packaged together in many fruits and vegetables, although the amount of selenium varies depending on crop location. The selenium content of soil determines the selenium concentration in foods grown in that soil. In the U.S., selenium is highest in the soil of six western states: North and South Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. Besides fruit and vegetables, bread, fish and meat all contain selenium. The real selenium powerhouse, however, is the Brazil nut, weighing in at 840 mcg of selenium per ounce. The U.S. RDA for selenium is 55 mcg. Sources:
"Selenium and Antioxidant Vitamin Status of Elderly German Women" European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" Vol. 60, 2006, nature.com
"Selenium Supplements Needed for Elderly Women, Say Researchers" NutraIngredients, 12/19/05, nutraingredients.com
"Low Serum Selenium and Total Carotenoids Predict Mortality among Older Women Living in the Community: The Women's Health and Aging Studies" Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 136, No. 1, January 2006, nutrition.org
| 
