Month: July 2019

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Selenium Supplementation and HIV Infections

Selenium supplementation of HIV-infected patients can slow the progression of the virus, improve CD4 cell counts, and reduce the risk of mortality. The form and the dosage of the selenium supplementation needs to be researched further. At present, supplementation with 200 micrograms of high-selenium yeast daily seems most promising, but the dosage will vary according to regional variation in the selenium content in the soil and food.

Humans with low blood selenium concentrations are more likely to have impaired immune function and rapid mutation of benign variants of RNA viruses to virulent forms.  Low blood selenium concentrations are concentrations less than 1 micromol of selenium per liter of blood = less than 78 micrograms of selenium per liter of blood [Harthill].

If a virus-infected, selenium-deficient human host is supplemented with selenium, the mutation rate of the virus tends to decrease, and the immune function tends to improve [Harthill].

Thus, the selenium status of the human host can have a profound effect on the development of a virus infection.  In cases of selenium deficiency, a normally non-virulent virus can become virulent.  A virus can become pathogenic by replicating in a nutritionally deficient human host [Beck]. read more

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Selenium Supplementation and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs in 5 to 10% of women. It is the most common cause of infertility in women. PCOS is typically described by the presence of common symptoms: mild obesity, irregular periods or absence of a period, and signs of excessive androgen such hirsutism and acne. Most PCOS patients will have multiple cysts in the ovaries. More research into the effects of selenium supplementation on PCOS is needed.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (abbreviated PCOS) is a hormonal disorder with a prevalence of 5 – 10% in women of reproductive age.

  • The exact cause of PCOS is unknown.
  • Symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, increased levels of male hormone, and failure of the ovaries to function regularly.
  • Excess insulin production and low-grade inflammation are thought to have an effect on the development of PCOS [Mayo Clinic].

Selenium: Effect on Mental Health, Hormonal Profile, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Patients with PCOS

In a randomized controlled trial enrolling 60 women aged 18 – 40 years, daily co-administration of a probiotic supplement and 200 micrograms of selenium for 12 weeks was associated with the following outcomes [Jamilian 2018]:

  • significant improvement in Beck Depression Inventory scores, general health questionnaire scores, and depression anxiety and stress scale scores compared with the placebo
  • significantly reduced total testosterone levels, hirsutism, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (a bio-marker for inflammation), and malondialdehyde levels (a bio-marker for oxidative stress) as well as significantly increased total antioxidant capacity and total glutathione (GSH) levels compared with the placebo

The researchers concluded that the co-administration of probiotics and selenium for 12 weeks to women with PCOS had beneficial health effects.

Selenium: Effect on Metabolic Profile in Patients with PCOS

In a randomized controlled trial enrolling 70 women aged 18 – 40 years, daily supplementation with 200 micrograms of selenium for 8 weeks was associated with the following outcomes compared with placebo [Jamilian 2015]: read more