Selenium is found mainly in plants, and is most common in foods grown or raised in a selenium rich environment.

Selenium enhances the antioxidant effects of Vitamin E.

Most people do not get enough selenium in their diets. However, intense deficiencies are rare.

Recent studies suggest that selenium supplementation can drastically reduce the chance of death from cancer.¹

Selenium deficiency can greatly increase the risk of asthma.² In studies, it has been shown to cause clinical improvement, though lung function tests do not appear to show the same results.³

Selenium has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease in general.⁴ Further research is still needed, however; ask your doctor for his recommendation.

Selenium levels are often low in HIV patients.⁵ Supplements have been associated with fewer infections, improved appetite, and better intestinal function in HIV-infected individuals.⁶

Since oxidative damage of the eye can cause macular degeneration, taking antioxidants may lower the disease’s occurrence.⁷ People with high levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium appear to have a 70% lower risk of developing macular degeneration.⁸

Since free radical damage has been tracked in the development of retinopathy,⁹ antioxidants may be helpful in the prevention of this disease. Vitamin C,¹⁰ Vitamin E,¹¹ and Selenium have all been shown to help improve the effects of retinopathy.¹²

Natural Sources: Brazil Nuts, Seafood, Whole Grains, Yeast.

Preferred Form: Selenomethionine

Useful in treatment of: asthma, atherosclerosis, HIV Support, macular degeneration, retinopathy.

Recommended Dosage: 100 to 200 mcg daily.

Contraindications: High doses (1000 mcg or more) may cause skin problems or upset stomach.

References:

¹Clark LC, Combs GF, Turnbull BW, et al. Effects of selenium supplementation for cancer prevention in patients with carcinoma of the skin. JAMA 1996;276:1957–63.
²Stone J, Hinks LJ, Beasley R, et al. Reduced selenium status of patients with asthma. Clin Sci 1989;77:495–500.
³Hasselmark L, Malmgren R, Zetterstrom O, Unge G. Selenium supplementation in intrinsic asthma. Allerg 1993;48:30–36.
⁴Salonen JT et al. Association between cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction and serum selenium in a matched-pair longitudinal study. Lancet 1982;ii:175.
⁵Dworkin BM. Selenium deficiency in HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Chem Biol Interact 1994;91:181–186.
⁶Schrauzer GN, Sacher J. Selenium in the maintenance and therapy of HIV-infected patients. Chem Biol Interact 1994;91:199–205.
⁷Mares-Perlman, J.A., et al. Serum antioxidants and age-related macular degeneration in a population-based case-control study. Archives of Ophthalmology, 113(12, 15): 18-23, December 1995.
⁸Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group. Antioxidant status and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 1993:111:104–9.
⁹Alieva ZA, Gadzhiev RV, Sultanov M. Possible role of the antioxidant system of the vitreous body in delaying the development of diabetic retinopathy. Oftalmol Zh 1985;(3):142–45 (in Russian).
¹⁰Sinclair AJ, Girling AJ, Gray L, et al. An investigation of the relationship between free radical activity and vitamin C metabolism in elderly diabetic subjects with retinopathy. Gerontology 1992;38:268–74.
¹¹Runge P, Muller DP, McAllister J, et al. Oral vitamin E supplements can prevent the retinopathy of abetalipoproteinaemia. Br J Ophthalmol 1986;70:166–73.
¹²Crary EJ, McCarty MF. Potential clinical applications for high-dose nutritional antioxidants. Med Hypoth 1984;13:77–98.