Category: Antioxidant Function

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ChatGPT Answers Selenium Health Benefits Question

How does ChatGPT answer the question: what are the health benefits of selenium supplementation in Europe? Earlier this month, we posed that question to the free version of ChatGPT. We focused on Europe because the selenium intakes in the United States are generally much higher than the selenium intakes in many parts of Europe [Alehagen 2022].

ChatGPT and selenium supplementation
ChatGPT links selenium supplementation to antioxidant protection, cancer prevention, heart health, immune function, and thyroid function. Important to talk with a health professional about selenium intakes and the need for selenium supplementation.

First, ChatGPT explained that selenium is an essential trace element. It plays an important role in physiological processes in the body. It is a necessary component in selenoproteins. These selenoproteins have antioxidant properties. They help regulate immune system function, thyroid function, and DNA synthesis.

Next, ChatGPT reminded that excessive intake of selenium can lead to toxicity. Selenium supplementation should be undertaken under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Note that the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 and the European Food Safety Authority both set the tolerable upper intake level at 255 mcg/day [Blomhoff 2023; EFSA 2023]. read more

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Selenium and a Longer Healthier Life

The micronutrient selenium has antioxidant and anti-aging properties. Specifically, numerous selenoproteins, in which selenium is an essential component, have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulating effects [Bjørklund 2022].

Why is this important?

Old people
Biological aging involves the gradual worsening of the composition of our cells and organelles. It involves the slowing down of our body functions. Aging is typically accompanied by wrinkled skin and thinner skin, by a loss of body mass and bone density, and by poorer eyesight. The older we get, the more vulnerable we are to loss of cognitive function and dementia, heart trouble, osteoporosis, renal failure, viral infections, etc. Eventually death comes.

The aging process is characterized by the following inevitable physiological developments [Alehagen 2021]:

Selenium and selenoproteins and antioxidant protection

One theory of biological aging is that oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation play an important role in aging-related physical and mental decline. Harmful reactive oxygen species – popularly known as free radicals – overwhelm the ability of the available antioxidants to neutralize them. The harmful free radicals cause oxidative damage to the cells and to the DNA, lipids, and proteins in the cells [Bjørklund 2022]. read more

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Selenium and Mitochondrial Disorders and Telomere Attrition

Selenium supplements may be beneficial as an adjuvant treatment for patients with mitochondrial disorders. This is especially true in many parts of Europe and the Middle East where the soil and the foodstuffs have poor selenium content [Stoffaneller & Morse 2015]. Specifically, individuals with mitochondrial dysfunction need the antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects of selenium-dependent selenoproteins [Alehagen 2021; Opstad 2022].

Prof Jan Aaseth
The mitochondria are the organelles in our cells that generate the ATP energy that our cells need to function. They are our essential mini power plants. However, mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with generation of toxic oxygen, telomere shortening, cell death, and biological aging. Pictured: Prof. Jan Aaseth, MD, PhD, Innlandet Hospital & Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Mitochondrial dysfunction can be defined as the diminished capacity of the mitochondria in the cells to convert sugars into energy, i.e., the diminished capacity of the cells to generate ATP energy [Miwa 2022].

Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with biological aging and with cell senescence (the cessation of cell division) [Miwa 2022]. read more

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Selenium Vital for Good Health

Gerhard N. Schrauzer
Dr. Gerhard N. Schrauzer (1933-2014) was the Director of the Biological Trace Element Research Institute in San Diego and the founder and editor-in-chief of the Biological Trace Element Research journal. He was a pioneer in the study of selenium’s biological functions. He was one of the first researchers to realize that selenium has positive effects on human and animal health.

Quote: “Pluck almost any cell from your body, and it will have a million or more selenium atoms in it, yet until recently nobody had any idea what they were there for. We now know that selenium makes two vital enzymes, deficiency in which has been linked to hypertension, arthritis, anaemia, some cancers, and, even, possibly reduced sperm counts. So, clearly, it is a good idea to get some selenium inside you (it is found particularly in nuts, whole meal bread, and fish), but at the same time, if you take too much, you can irremediably poison your liver. As with much of life, getting the balances right is a delicate business.” End Quote.

The above lines are quoted from Bill Bryson’s book The Body: A Guide for Occupants. ISBN-13: 978-0385539302. I can recommend the book highly. Bryson writes an English that is a pleasure to read, and the book is full of facts and relationships. You may already know him from his earlier book about science and technology, The Short History of Almost Everything. read more

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Selenium in Body Tissues and Physiological Processes

Professor Gerhard N. Schrauzer was the director of the Biological Trace Element Research Institute in San Diego, California. He led the way in the study of the biological functions of selenium, especially in relation to selenium’s cancer protective properties.

The biology of selenium in humans is complex.  What is known is that selenium is widely distributed in body tissues and in physiological processes [Wrobel].

Particularly of interest is the preferential maintenance of selenium concentrations in the brain, even in circumstances in which selenium stores are deleted in other organs such as the liver and kidneys [Wrobel].

What Does Selenium Do in the Body?

Dr. Wrobel, University of Miami Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, lists the following functions of selenium and selenoproteins in the body:

  • Adequate levels of selenium are needed to modulate the function of the thyroid gland.
  • Selenium plays an important role in male and female fertility.
  • Selenium deficiency is associated with cardiac and skeletal muscle disorders, with changes in muscle fibers leading to the impairment of muscle contraction and to muscle atrophy.
  • Low levels of selenium are associated with impaired cognitive function and neurological disorders.
  • There exists an inverse relationship between selenium concentrations and the risk of coronary heart disease and the risk of certain types of cancer.
  • Low selenium levels are associated with high HIV mortality.
  • Selenium supplementation reduced the number of hospital admissions for HIV patients.

Selenium and the Prevention of Cancer

Epidemiological studies show generally that higher exposure to selenium is associated with a reduced risk of most forms of cancer.  For example, people living in higher soil selenium regions tend to have lower incidence of cancer [Wrobel]. read more

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Regional, age, and sex differences in serum selenium status

Selenocysteine is the 21st amino acid. The trace element selenium plays its important biological roles in the body as a component of selenocysteine. Selenocysteine is found in at least 25 selenoproteins including selenoprotein P and the various glutathione peroxidases, thioredoxin reductases, and iodothyronine deiodinases.

The results of clinical studies give us an estimate of what an individual’s optimal serum or plasma selenium status is.

  •  Plasma selenium status below 100 micrograms per liter  – also expressed as 100 nanograms per milliliter – is generally regarded as sub-optimal plasma selenium status [Hurst 2010].
  • Plasma selenium status of at least 110 – 118 micrograms per liter is considered necessary for the optimal expression of selenoprotein P [Hurst 2010]. 
  • Letsiou et al [2014] set the lower limit for optimal selenoprotein P activity at 120 micrograms per liter or higher.
  • Plasma selenium status of 120 up to 170 micrograms per liter is considered necessary for reducing the risk of prostate cancer [Hurst 2012].
  • Studies show that there are sex and age differences in the absorption and distribution of selenium taken in from the diet and from supplements [Letsiou 2014; Galan 2005].

Note: The Mayo Medical Laboratories report serum concentrations of 70 to 150 micrograms per liter as the adult reference range for residents of the United States.  The mean population serum concentration is 98 micrograms per liter [Mayo], but, remember, depending on the range and standard deviation of the data, the mean can be very little useful. The important thing about the United States is that there is regional variation in selenium intakes and status. See below.

Selenium intake and selenium status

The primary sources of selenium are the diet and supplements. The human body does not synthesize selenium.  It is difficult to calculate accurately how much selenium an individual gets from food.  It can also be difficult to know precisely how much selenium an individual absorbs from a supplement because of the variation in the form and formulation of the selenium supplements on the market. read more

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Selenium and statin medications and selenoproteins

Adequate synthesis of several selenoproteins – including the various glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases and Selenoprotein P – is important for the anti-oxidative defense of the cells. Professor Urban Alehagen and a group of Swedish researchers observed significantly reduced death from heart disease in a 10-year follow-up of healthy elderly study participants who were given four years of combined high-selenium yeast and Coenzyme Q10 supplementation.

In a recent article on the web-site q10facts.com, I have posted a summary of an article in which researchers discuss the various ways in which statin medications may increase patients’ risk of atherosclerosis and heart failure.  Yes, the Japanese and American researchers say, the statin medications do lower cholesterol levels [Okuyama].  

But, the guidelines for the use of statin medications need to be re-examined.  The researchers say: There has been a remarkable increase in the incidence of heart failure in the same period that statin medications have been used [Okuyama].

Furthermore, there are known mechanisms by which statin medications could be causing an increase in the incidence of atherosclerosis and heart failure. read more

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Selenium supplementation in the Su.Vi.Max. study

Depicted above (A): apoptosis in normal cell division with a damaged cell (2) and programmed cell death (1). Depicted below (B): cancer cell division with uninhibited cell production and increasingly more dangerous cell mutations. Selenium supplementation can help normal healthy adults who have low selenium status with cancer chemo-prevention benefits, thyroid function benefits, and cognitive function benefits.

The Su.Vi.Max. study —  SUpplementation en VItamines et Minéraux AntioXydants — was a big randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study carried out with typical French efficiency.  Even though I have written the name of the study in French, there are so many English cognates that I am sure you can read the full name of the study.

The study was designed to test the health benefits of daily supplementation with a number of vitamins and minerals at nutritional dosages (roughly, one to three times the daily recommended dietary intakes) [Hercberg 1998]:

  • selenium, 100 micrograms
  • vitamin C, 120 mg
  • vitamin E, 30 mg
  • beta-carotene, 6 mg
  • zinc, 20 mg

In particular, the French researchers wanted to see the effect of the daily supplementation over a long period, approximately 7.5 years, from 1994 to 2002, on the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease, both of which have been linked to oxidative stress and oxidative damage and might, therefore, be affected by supplementation with antioxidants. read more

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We must not waste selenium

Selenium exists only in scarce quantities. Adequate dietary and supplemental intakes are vital for human health.  We need to use it carefully, and we need to begin to stockpile it for the use of future generations.

Selenium is a trace element.  It exists only in rare quantities in the world.  It is produced primarily as a by-product of the process of mining copper.  It is not recyclable.  It is very unevenly distributed in the soils of the earth.

Consequently, the availability of selenium in grasses and grains and, at the next stage of the food chain, in animals, varies considerably from region to region in the world. The human dietary intakes of selenium vary accordingly around the world.

Selenium a vital nutrient for humans
Selenium is a necessary micronutrient that our bodies do not produce.  We get our selenium primarily from our diets.  Selenium is important for good immune system function, good thyroid function, good reproductive function, and good protection of our cells’ DNA. read more

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Selenium helps to avoid pregnancy complications

Adequate intakes of selenium can help to reduce the risk of some of the more serious complications of pregnancy. Studies done with an organic high-selenium yeast supplement have yielded encouraging results.

Women who have first-trimester miscarriages or recurrent miscarriages have been found to have significantly lower selenium status than women who do not miscarry.  Professor Margaret Rayman points out that blood selenium concentrations are typically lower during pregnancy, in part because there is an expansion of the volume of blood.  However, increased inflammation – implicated in miscarriages – could also be a cause of reduced circulating selenium [Rayman 2012].

For this article, I have searched the Medline database for results from randomized controlled studies involving selenium supplementation of low selenium status pregnant women.  There have been a number of interesting results.

Selenium and oxidative stress in pregnant women
Dr. Tara and a team of researchers did a simultaneous assay of pro-oxidant burden and antioxidant capacity in a total of 166 first-time-pregnant women.  In their first trimester, the women were randomly assigned to an active treatment group receiving 100 micrograms of a yeast-based selenium preparation (n=83) or placebo (n=83) per day until delivery. read more