Today we’re featuring an update on
Selenium courtesy of Pharmacy Daily
staff writer Amanda Collins.
The much raved about antioxidant
properties of Selenium, have in the
past few years seen the trace mineral
included into almost all combination
antioxidant supplements.
But what is it, and how safe is its use?
Selenium is a trace mineral which
carries the atomic number 34.
Its presence has been identified in at
least 20 proteins within the human
body including important antioxident
compounds called ‘selenoproteins’,
which protect our DNA and cells
against free radical damage occurring
as part of the natural process of
oxygen metabolism.
Selenium is also found in the liver,
kidneys, pancreas, spleen and
testes and is important to the healthy
function of the immune system.
Due to its potent antioxidant
capabilities Selenium is currently
being hailed as the “next big thing” in
the anti-ageing industry.
Its powers however, stretch beyond
skin-maintenance benefits to include
its ability to help protect the eyes from
cataracts and the heart from muscle
damage through the activation of
particular substances within the body.
Selenium is often found to work in
tandem with Vitamin E, and in some
cases when one substance is depleted
in the body, the other will substitute
it- which inevitably leads to a depletion
in the body of both substances.
Recently there has been an
interesting surge of research into
selenium’s potential to fight virus’.
A study from the University of
Georgia found that depleted levels of
the mineral within the body had a
direct correlation with the progression
of HIV into AIDS.
A follow-up study by the University
is currently underway to see whether
maintaining adequate levels of
Selenium in the body is the key to
keeping the virus in check.
Now for the bad news: Selenium
is toxic in high doses- which may result
in hair and nail loss, as well as bad
breath, a metallic taste in the mouth,
dizziness and nausea.
To avoid this, the recommended
daily dose of Selenium is 70 micrograms,
and it is suggested when looking for a
Selenium supplement, to look
for ones with ‘I-selenomethionine’, as
it has been found to cause less side
effects and won’t react with vitamin C
(which has the potential to block
Selenium absorption).
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 03 May 10To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 03 May 10
