Stress Management

Natural Rescue Remedies for Anthrax

Selenium

Selenium is a trace mineral that our bodies use to produce glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that serves as a natural antioxidant. Glutathione peroxidase works with vitamin E to protect cell membranes from damage caused by free radicals. Selenium rank with vitamins C and A as a powerful promoter of immunity. (1)

The importance of selenium in thwarting viral infections is illustrated by the fact that a number of deadly viruses (such as HIV, Ebola, etc.) have emerged from regions in Africa such as Zaire, which appear to be selenium deficient. Due to the important immunity implications of selenium as well as its role in preventing the mutation of viruses, selenium is an important trace element that plays a significant role in the fight against biological agents released by bioterrorists.

Selenium is essential for healthy immune functioning. Selenium supplementation reduces the incidence of hepatitis in deficient populations.(2) In a population of elderly people that was not deficient in selenium, selenium supplementation has been found to stimulate the activity of white blood cells-primary components of the immune system.(3) Selenium is also needed to activate thyroid hormones. Selenium provides protection against a large number of cancers and, against a broad spectrum of diseases.

Selenium is an essential component of a powerful antioxidant manufactured by the body. This antioxidant, called glutathione peroxidase, defends specifically against peroxides, a type of free radical that attacks fats. Like other antioxidants, glutathione peroxidase also reduces the risk of developing cancer and heart diseases and stimulates the immune system's response to infections.

Selenium prevents the dangerous mutation of one type of common virus-and likely others- thus preventing the creation of some supergerms. Selenium also seems to slow the progression from HIV to full-blown AIDS.

Selenium and Immunity

Selenium in Halting the Spread of Dangerous Viruses

Selenium Deficiency and AIDS

How Selenium Fights Infections

Selenium Deficiency and Ebola Virus

Selenium Reduces Bacterial Blood Poisoning

Natural Sources for Selenium

Dosage Recommendations

Form of Selenium Supplements

Safety/Toxicity

The symptoms of selenium overdose

Interactions

Next Topic: Selenium and Immunity

References

1. Sheldon S. Hendler MD, The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia, Simon and Schuster.

2. Yu S-Y, Li W-G, Zhu Y-J, et al. Chemoprevention trial of human hepatitis with selenium supplementation in China. Biol Trace Element Res 1989;20:15-20.

3. Peretz A, Néve J, Desmedt J, et al. Lymphocyte response is enhanced by supplementation of elderly subjects with selenium-enriched yeast. Am J Clin Nutri 1991;53:1323-28.