(21-04-11) Selenium deficiency increases heart disease and cancer incidence

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Researchers reporting in the FASEB Journal found that selenium
deficiency in the American diet may be a significant foundation for the rampant
proliferation of heart disease and cancer over the past several decades. By
analyzing data from hundreds of published studies, Dr. Bruce Ames of the
Children`s Hospital Oakland Research Institute determined that selenium-
dependent proteins deprived of the essential mineral pave a path toward chronic
disease early in life that may threaten our long-term survival past our
reproductive years. We need to obtain selenium in the proper form from an early
age to dramatically lower the risk from heart disease and cancer in later life.

Dr. Ames subscribes to the newly developed `triage theory` that explains why
age-related diseases like heart disease, cancer, and dementia may be
"unintended consequences of mechanisms developed during evolution to protect
against episodic vitamin/mineral shortages." The theory provides evidence that
critical shortages of vitamins and minerals such as selenium cause the body to
use all available resources to preserve life and biological functions over the
short-term and to ensure reproduction. Depleting essential nutrients caused by
a poor diet leads to unintended proliferation of chronic disease risk as we
pass through mid-life and beyond.

There are twelve selenoproteins of which five are considered essential and
seven are known to be nonessential to human health. Interestingly, an analysis
of the available studies concludes that it is the nonessential selenoprotein
availability and concentration that may be the most important in determining
optimal health or progression toward chronic illness. Dr. Ames found that
"among all selenoproteins, dysfunction of those that are nonessential is likely
to be the major contributor to increased disease risk due to selenium
deficiency."

Selenium in its various forms is required for the proper formation and folding
of 50 to 100 different proteins that perform a wide variety of functions
throughout the body. Extensive research confirms the critical nature of
selenium in the prevention of cancer as it supports normal immune function to
halt aberrant cell growth. Information published in the journal Biochemistry
found that there are two types of selenium known as SeMet and MeSeCys that are
processed differently to provide a chemo protective shield.

Researchers working to determine the ability of selenium to prevent breast
cancer found that the MeSeCys form of selenium was significantly more effective
in protecting against the insidious disease compared to the SeMet version of
the mineral. The study found that breast cancer cells processed the two
different forms of selenium differently leading to the protective nature of the
MeSeCys form.

Recommended daily intake levels of selenium are 55 mcg, making many people
deficient due to poor soil conditions and inadequate diet. Nutrition experts
recommend 200 mcg for optimal disease protection but don`t specify between
MeSeCys or SeMet forms. Health-minded individuals will want to ensure a natural
and organic diet to maximize their selenium intake and may want to consider
supplementing with a broad-range selenium supplement to help prevent cancer and
heart disease.

Article References:
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com...
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...

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