What is is: A trace mineral and antioxidant essential to human health, selenium is found in soil and water. Plants grown in selenium-rich areas, such as the Midwest; provide all the selenium a person needs. Soils along the coasts, however, have inadequate selenium content. The best food sources are grains, shellfish and meats.
What it does: A ten-year study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that the incidence of colon, lung and prostate cancers was significantly lower in patients given a daily 200-microgram supplement of selenium and yeast than in those given a placebo. There were also 50 percent fewer cancer deaths in the selenium group. The supplement had no effect on skin cancer, however. Selenium is essential to the proper functioning of the heart. In areas of China where the soil is selenium-deficient, people are prone to a heart condition known as Keshan disease. Another study showed selenium supplements stimulated the production of immune cells in elderly people.
Who should take this? If your diet is low in selenium, you might try a high-selenium yeast supplement. "Yeast contains B vitamins, protein and trace minerals," says Dr. Alan Gaby, professor of nutrition at Bastyr University in Seattle. "High-selenium yeast reduces the risk of certain cancers in humans. We don't know if selenium alone will do it." The supplement works best as an antioxidant when taken with daily doses of vitamin E. Daily supplements should not exceed 200 micrograms, as too much selenium can be toxic.
Readers
Digest
December
1997
Can two little brown nuts keep your lungs clear? They could if they're selenium-rich Brazil nuts.
A breakthrough study found that people who took 200 mcg. of selenium daily lowered their risk of lung cancer by 46 percent. Researchers believe the essential mineral protects lung tissue from free-radical damage and neutralizes air pollutants that get into our systems.
You can get your protective dose from eating two Brazil nuts a day. Buy the kind in the shell, advices nutrionist Helenbeth Reiss Reynolds, R.D., "They'll have more selenium in them if they haven't been processed." Selenium supplements are also widely available.
Woman's World 12/2/97 Page 13