Tag: Viral infections

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Selenium and COVID-19 and Other Viral Infections

Deficient selenium status is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 as well as with greater risk of chronic inflammatory diseases and viral infections. However, the biological mechanisms by which selenium deficiency might cause weakened immune function and elevated inflammation are not clearly identified as yet [Golin 2023].

Corona virus
Selenium deficiency is linked to increased COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Individuals with low selenium status are more vulnerable to viral infections.

The coronavirus 2, known as SARS-CoV-2, causes COVID-19 illness. COVID-19 is an illness that has infected millions of individuals since late 2019. Acute respiratory syndrome and pro-inflammatory cytokine storms are manifested in the worst of COVID-19 cases. The severity of COVID-19 illness is associated with several factors: age, health status, sex, and selenium deficiency [Golin 2023]. read more

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Selenium Status and HIV Infections

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is still very much a public health concern. Deficiencies of certain micronutrients are known to play a role in the progression of HIV infections to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). In particular, adequate intakes of selenium are important because of selenium’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in HIV infection [Pourmoradian 2023].

Umbrella Study of Systematic Reviews of Selenium and HIV Studies

Symptoms of AIDS Poster
Selenium levels are often low in individuals infected with HIV virus. Selenium supplementation can slow the decline in CD4 cell counts, can reduce the risk of hospitalization, can prevent increases in the HIV-1 viral load, and can slow the progression of the infection to AIDS.

In a 2023 umbrella study of systematic reviews of studies of selenium in HIV patients, Pourmoradian et al found the following evidence:

  • Four reviews showed that selenium supplementation at the level of 200 mcg/day was effective in delaying CD4 decline in HIV-infected patients.
  • Three reviews showed that selenium supplementation at the level of 200 mcg/day significantly reduced HIV viral load.
  • The researchers suggested that the underlying mechanism of the selenium effect on HIV progression is the improvement of the immune response and the antioxidant defense system.
  • In particular, the selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme system reduces the extent of oxidative stress, indirectly strengthens the immune system, and slows the progression of the disease.

Note: CD4 cells are lymphocytes that help to coordinate the immune response to infections. If an HIV patient’s CD4 cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, then the HIV infection is considered to have progressed to the AIDS stage. In healthy individuals, the CD4 count will be between 500 and 1,600 cells/cubic millimeter of blood. read more

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Selenium and Viruses and Viral Infections

Viruses are very tiny germs that consist of genetic material (DNA or RNA) inside a protein coating. Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot survive on their own. They need host cells [MedlinePlus 2016].

Sneezing
When viruses invade the body, they hijack human cells and use the cells to reproduce themselves. The host immune system attempts to fight off the invasive viruses. If the immune system defense is not successful, then various viruses cause such infections as the common cold, influenza, and warts. Other viruses cause severe illnesses such as COVID-19, Ebola, and HIV/AIDS [MedlinePlus 2016].
Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. For some few viral infections, there are effective antiviral medicines. For others, vaccines may be an option. In any case, it is important to have a strong immune system to ward off or recover from viral infections.

Harmful free radicals play an important role in viral infections. The cells’ normal metabolism of oxygen generates reactive oxygen species as a by-product. At low and stable levels, these “free radicals” play a role in cell signaling and cell functioning. In the course of viral infections, however, the over-production of free radicals can overwhelm the body’s protective antioxidant systems and can cause oxidative stress [Guillen 2019]. read more

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Selenium Supplementation Strengthens Immune Response to Covid-19

The available vaccines do not seem up to the task of preventing infection by the fourth wave of the Covid-19 virus. Accordingly, people in high-risk groups may want to start on a course of supplementation to address possible deficiencies of selenium, zinc, and vitamin D to strengthen their immune response [Alexander 2020].

Covid-19 vaccine
Resistance to Covid-19 and other viral infections, strengthening of immune system function, and reducing chronic inflammation all depend on adequate intakes of zinc, selenium, and vitamin D [Alexander 2020].
In this article, we will address the importance of adequate selenium intakes. Readers are encouraged to google zinc and Covid-19 and vitamin D and Covid-19 on their own.

Early initiation of adequate selenium, zinc, and vitamin D supplementation in high-risk individuals and in high-risk areas and, certainly, as soon as possible after the time of suspected infection with the Covid-19 virus can help the immune system [Alexander 2020]. read more

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Selenium and Viral Infections

Virus
Selenium deficiency is associated with increased virulence of viruses in human hosts.

Selenium and selenoproteins have a role to play in the protection of humans against viral infections [Méplan & Hughes 2020].

Viruses and viral infections are scary enough in and of themselves. Witness the effects of the current corona virus pandemic COVID-19.

Even more scary are the effects of nutritional deficiencies such as selenium deficiency on the body’s ability to fight off a viral infection.

Selenium Deficiency Associated with Increased Virulence of Viruses

Low selenium status, defined variously as serum selenium status below 70 micrograms per liter or below 85 micrograms per liter, is associated with the following deleterious effects of viral contagion [Méplan & Hughes 2020]:

  • The viral pathogens induce oxidative stress by generating more harmful free radicals. The result is oxidative damage to cells, proteins, and DNA.
  • The viral pathogens diminish the cells’ antioxidant defenses including diminishing the activity of the antioxidant seleno-enzymes, e.g. the glutathione peroxidases and the thioredoxin reductases.
  • The viral pathogens increase oxidative stress to the extent that it can induce mutations of the genomes of the attacking virus. The result is that the mutated viruses are more virulent than the initial viruses were. This increased virulence of mutated viruses has been seen in both coxsackie viruses and influenza viruses. The consequence of the increased virulence is to make the viruses more dangerous even to people with adequate selenium status.
  • The viral pathogens reduce the ability of the immune system to respond to the virus. This reduced immune response to viruses has also been seen in the response of selenium deficient humans to the HIV virus and the hepatitis B and C viruses.

Re selenium deficiency: Bomer et al reported more severe signs and symptoms of heart failure and poorer exercise capacity and poorer quality of life in heart failure patients with serum selenium concentrations below 70 mcg/L.  Rayman reported that serum and plasma levels below 85 mcg/L are associated with decreased survival in HIV-infected patients [Bomer 2019; Rayman 2012]. read more