Selenium

[Grislygherkin]

I have been taking selenium (200 i.u. daily) supplements for about twelve years now as I discovered it can help support an immune system compromised by HIV. Now there is good evidence to show that this is the case. Hurrah!

[Mongrel]

I have been taking selenium (200 i.u. daily) supplements for about twelve years now as I discovered it can help support an immune system compromised by HIV. Now there is good evidence to show that this is the case. Hurrah!
Links?

[Matt]

Links?

http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp

Suggests that a selenium deficiency may compromise the immune system citing...

Combs GF. Food system-based approaches to improving micronutrient nutrition: the case for selenium. Biofactors 2000;12:39-43.

Zimmerman MB and Kohrle J. The impact of iron and selenium deficiencies on iodine and thyroid metabolism: biochemistry and relevance to public health. Thyroid 2002;12:867-78.

The same page cites studies relating to HIV and selenium deficiency citing

Look MP, Rockstroh JK, Rao GS, Kreuzer KA, Spengler U, Sauerbruch T. Serum selenium versus lymphocyte subsets and markers of disease progression and inflammatory response in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection. Biol Trace Elem Res 1997;56(1):31-41.


Singhal N and Austin J. A clinical review of micronutrients in HIV infection. J Int Assoc Physicians AIDS Care 2002;1:63-75.

Romero-Alvira D and Roche E. The keys of oxidative stress in acquired immune deficiency syndrome apoptosis. Medical Hypotheses 1998;51(2):169-73.

Patrick L. Nutrients and HIV; Part One - Beta carotene and selenium. Altern Med Rev 1999;4:403-13. [PubMed abstract (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10608913&dopt=Abstract)]

Baum MK, Shor-Posner G, Lai S, Zhang G, Lai H, Fletcher MA, Sauberlich
H, Page JB. High risk of HIV-related mortality is associated with selenium deficiency. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1997;15:370-4. [PubMed abstract (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9342257&dopt=Abstract)]

Campa A, Shor-Posner G, Indacoche F, Zhang G, Lai H, Asthana D, Scott GB, Baum MK. Mortality risk in selenium-deficient HIV-positive children. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1999;15:508-13. [PubMed abstract (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10225235&dopt=Abstract)]

Baum MK and Shor-Posner G. Micronutrient status in relationship to mortality in HIV-1 disease. Nutr Rev 1998;56:S135-9. [PubMed abstract (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9481135&dopt=Abstract)]



Gherkin have you been diagnosed with HIV and/or a selenium deficiency? Have you discussed this suplement with your doctor or health practicitioner. If you are getting good amounts of selenium from your diet then you may be risking too much selenium

Selenosis = "gastrointestinal upsets, hair loss, white blotchy nails, garlic breath odor, fatigue, irritability, and mild nerve damage"

[Mongrel]

So another, "You don't need supplements unless you're eating a hideously unbalanced diet or suffer from particular disease" supplement then.

*sigh* :-[

Learn to cook people! A basic home cooked diet; which is neither complicated, hard, expensive or time consuming, based on your parents\grandparents "Meat and two veg" with some more fresh fruit thrown in will provide more than adequate vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

[Cuddles]

So another, "You don't need supplements unless you're eating a hideously unbalanced diet or suffer from particular disease" supplement then.

*sigh* :-[

Learn to cook people! A basic home cooked diet; which is neither complicated, hard, expensive or time consuming, based on your parents\grandparents "Meat and two veg" with some more fresh fruit thrown in will provide more than adequate vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

And nuts. Pistachios and (I think) pecans have huge amounts of selinium and other trace elements. Eating a few nuts every day will provide as much selinium as you'll ever need, and are far nicer and more satisfying than taking pointless pills.

[Mongrel]

Mmmmm - Pecan pie...

[Allo Allo]

Eat Brazil nuts and other nuts, meat, kidney, liver, fish, prawns, eggs, chicken, etc about six Brazil nuts contain about 800 micrograms of Selenium. You can poison yourself at that level!
I rather enjoyed this (http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/General/15-742,40414.asp) current article from South Africa....


M
:knitter:

[Cuddles]

On a slightly different note, I believe selenium is very useful for maintaining heat shields on Mercury. Just be careful which robot you send out to collect it.

[Mojo]

Learn to cook people!

Yeah, they're rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements!

"If the Juju had meant us not to eat people, he wouldn't have made us of meat." - Flanders and Swann, The Reluctant Cannibal (http://www.thurb.com/humour/cannibal.htm).