From
the journal Alternatives,12:14;
105-111, Aug 2008
With
editorial notes by Lawrence Wilson, MD
When it comes
to HPV or any virus problem for that matter, it's
crucial that you are getting adequate amounts of selenium in your diet.
Glutathione requires selenium for its production. It is the granddaddy of all
antioxidants. Every single
condition we associate with aging has been linked to lowered glutathione
levels.
Studies have shown that individuals who maintain the highest
levels of glutathione remain the healthiest and live the longest. The very
important relationship between selenium and glutathione has just recently come
to light during the last few years.
SELENOPROTEINS
Selenium is a trace mineral that the body incorporates into
proteins to make over 25 different selenoproteins
(like the enzyme glutathione peroxidase). These are some of the strongest
antioxidants that work to prevent cellular damage from free radicals. They also
help regulate thyroid function and assist the immune system.
A few years ago, researchers working with the flu virus
discovered that animals deficient in selenium were more susceptible to
infectious diseases. This wasn't earth shattering news-or unexpected. It's well
known that being malnourished or nutritionally deficient will result in an
impaired immune system.
Their shocking discovery, however, was that where animals
with a selenium deficiency were contaminated with the flu virus, the virus
mutated into a far more virulent form when it was passed on to the next animal.
The researchers compared the initial virus to the mutated
form, saying that the first would typically cause only mild pneumonia, while
the latter would result in life threatening severe pneumonia.
In simple terms, they discovered that selenium deficiencies
cause viral mutations that could turn a harmless flu bug into a worldwide
life-threatening flu pandemic. Why the importance oj
selenium wasn't broadcast to the masses I'll never understand. And the
ramifications of having adequate selenium reserves in the body reaches far
beyond the flu virus.
It
appears that selenium also has a very strong link to another viral disease: HIV/AIDS. The work is still ongoing into the
exact details of how HIV utilizes selenium. Recent studies have shown that
providing adequate amounts of selenium to the virus slows its replication. HIV
requires selenium, and will invade other cells in an attempt to get more of the
mineral. The virus' need for selenium helps explain several aspects of AIDS.
Research has shown that one of the hallmarks oj AIDS progression is a decline in the patient's selenium
blood plasma levels. This is accompanied by a decline in the
selenium-containing antioxidant glutathione peroxide as well. Not only this,
but infection rates are highest in geographic areas of the world where soil
selenium levels are the lowest and infection rates are lowest where selenium
levels are the highest.
AIDS HIGHEST WHERE
SELENIUM IS LOWEST
The AIDS
infection rate is highest in those African countries with low levels of
selenium in their soil: Zimbabwe, 25.84 percent; Botswana, 25.10 percent;
Zambia, 19.07 percent; South Africa, 12.91 percent; and Cote D'Ivoire, 10.06
percent.
In contrast,
Senegal in West Africa has the lowest levels of AIDS at 1.77 percent-and the
highest levels of selenium-rich soil.
(Senegal also has one of the lowest rates of cancer in
Africa, another benefit of their selenium-rich soil.)
SEX
DEPLETES SELENIUM, PARTICULARLY IN MEN
It's probably no coincidence, either, that males transmit
the AIDS virus more easily than do females. Selenium is concentrated in semen,
and sperm cells also contain high levels of the trace mineral. Not only can
there be a significant loss of selenium during sexual intercourse. The invasion of these cells by HIV in
its search for the mineral quickly transforms them into a carrier of the virus.
You might recall that in the early days of the AIDS epidemic
there was widespread abuse of oxidant drugs in the form of nitrite inhalants.
These produced an abundance of free radicals, which further depleted
glutathione and selenium levels and sped up the disease process.
An individual's selenium reserve, at the time of infection
and subsequently, also helps explain the variable latency period between the
time of HIV infection and the appearance of AIDS. For some it is rather quick,
while for others it can be years-and some HIV-positive patients have never
developed AIDS.
TREATING
AIDS WITH SELENIUM, CYSTEINE, GLUTAMINE AND
TRYPTOPHAN
Numerous doctors have started treating their AIDS patients
utilizing either increased amounts of supplemental selenium or the four basic
components of glutathione peroxidase - selenium, cysteine, glutamine, and tryptophan - and have seen
remarkable results.
Increasing glutathione levels with the selenium and cysteine makes the immune system more responsive to viruses
and cancer as well. Glutamine helps alleviate depression problems and helps
heal the intestinal tract, resulting in better digestion and the elimination of
diarrhea.
Advanced AIDS patients have been shown to have tryptophan
levels at about half the amount of those with the disease. Increasing
tryptophan helps protect against dementia by increasing serotonin levels in the
brain.
The idea has not been to "eliminate" HIV from the
body, which many researchers now feel would be impossible, but rather to supply
it and the rest of the body with adequate amounts of selenium. It's more of an
effort to live with the virus much like we can live with other potentially
harmful pathogens in our body, but keep it in check to minimize any harm. The
additional selenium and the antioxidants associated with it help stop the virus
from replicating and invading other cells to "feed" its need for
selenium.
Not only is this program very cost-effective at $10 to $20 a
month, it has been instrumental in allowing patients to live normal, otherwise
healthy, productive lives. I've spoken with many of these patients, and
practically all of the long-term survivors are on programs that include
selenium, N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
to increase glutathione levels, and other antioxidants.
I have a report of one individual who has been HIV-positive
for 21 years. After undergoing practically every known treatment, he still had
detectible levels of HI V-until he took selenium. After taking a 200 microgram
daily dose his viral load dropped from 20,000/mL to 49, which is considered
undetectable. Additionally, he hasn't been sick since taking the selenium and
has experienced no side effects whatsoever.
Much of what I've discussed so far has had to do with HIV
and AIDS. Keep in mind, however, that it also applies to any virus or viral
infection.
This could be something as simple as the cold or as serious
as the next pandemic influenza virus, bird flu, West Nile virus, Ebola,
hepatitis, hantavirus, Marburg virus, smallpox, or some viral agent spread
through bioterrorism.
Other than isolation and the use of questionable and
unproven vaccines, there's not much in the form of treatment for any of these
problems.
Viral threats are certainly not the only reason you should
make the effort to increase your selenium level.
Several studies have found that selenium blood levels fall
as we age and those with the lowest levels experience shorter life spans. One
study showed a drop of 7 percent at age 60 and 24 percent by age 75.
In one study involving 1,389 patients ages 60 to 71, it was
discovered that, when compared to those with the higher selenium levels, those
with the lower levels have a highest likelihood of experiencing cognitive and
neurological problems. (Epidemiology 07;18:52-58) (Sci
Total Environ 95;170:133-139) (Med Hypotheses 97;48:355-360)
Selenium prevents cancer. It's been proven time and time
again. One study involved 1,312 patients with no melanoma skin cancer. Half
received a placebo and the other half received 200 mcg of selenium for an
average of 4.5 years.
Those who took the selenium had an overall decrease in all
cancers of 35 percent compared to those on the placebo. Prostate cancer
decreased by 63 percent, lung cancer by 46 percent, and colorectal cancer by 58
percent. The effect was so dramatic that the blinded part of the study was
ended early so those on the placebo could be told the benefits of taking
selenium. (JAMA
96;276:1957-1963)
OTHER CANCERS
AS WELL
Other research has now found that increasing levels of
selenium could cut the incidence of bladder cancer by as much as 70 percent.
And it also appears that breast cancer is far more prevalent in individuals
with low selenium levels-and supplementation could lower those rates as well.
(J Surg Oncol 80;15:67-70) (Mol Carcinog
99; 26:213-225)
A study in Arizona of 1,763 individuals found that those
with lower levels of selenium were more likely to have polyps in their
intestinal tract than those with higher levels of the mineral (33 percent
compared to only
9
percent). Polyps are considered pre-cancerous. (J Natl
Cancer Inst 04;96:1669-1675)
HEART DISEASE
From common sense and all research indications, it seems
apparent that selenium and the enzymes produced from it, like glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase, help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. It's the oxidation of LDL
cholesterol that starts the inflammatory process leading to the development of
plaques in arteries. (Circulation
98;97:1930-1934)
There are other antioxidants that are needed to prevent
heart disease, but keep in mind that selenium is one of the most powerful ones.
ARTHRITIS
This is another area where there hasn't been enough research
concerning selenium. We do know that with inflammatory arthritic conditions
like rheumatoid arthritis there are consistently lower levels of selenium in
the blood, and oftentimes a low intake of the mineral.
Selenium is a part of not only antioxidant proteins, but
anti-inflammatory ones as well. Along with omega- 3 fatty acids, selenium can
prove to be a godsend to many with rheumatoid arthritis. (Bioi
Trace Element Res 96;53:51-56) (Ann Rheum Dis
94;53:51-53) (Semin
Arthritis
Rheum 97;27:180-185)
THE REST OF THE STORY
One of the primary reasons the public has never discovered
the necessity and benefits of selenium stems from the fear of toxicity (a needless fear, as you'll see).
Selenium is definitely one of those compounds that, if its use became more
widespread, would put a huge dent in the multi-trillion dollar health care
system.
MANIPULATION OF
SELENIUM RDAs
The common tactic to discourage the use of a vitamin,
mineral, or other supplement is to exaggerate any possible dangerous side
effects and then throw in a study or two showing that it doesn't work. These
are exactly the things that have been happening to selenium.
The US Food and Nutrition Board actually lowered the RDA for
selenium in 2000 from 70 mcg for men and 55 mcg/day for women to 55 mcg/day for
both. They obviously ignored the 1996 cancer study report I mentioned above
showing the benefits of 200 mcg/day without any side effects. The same board
set what is called the tolerable upper intake level (UL) at 400 mcg a day.
In China, where a large number of the selenium studies and
treatment programs have been undertaken over decades (they have widespread
selenium deficiencies there), the UL is set at 819 mcg/day with no adverse
effects; the "low adverse effect level" is considered to be 1,054
mcg/day.
SELENIUM TOXICITY
Toxic symptoms, by the way, are easy to recognize. The first
indications are "garlic breath" and dry skin. Later the fingernails
acquire white patches, become brittle, and fall off. Studies in China have
found that the nail and hair loss occurs when selenium intake reaches 4,990
mcg/day. (J Trace Elem Electrolytes
Health Dis 94;8:159-165)
Obviously, taking the 200-400 mcg/day, which has been proven
to help in cancer, AIDS, and other conditions, on top of whatever one consumes
in their diet, wouldn't be a problem. Research consistently has shown these
levels to be totally safe and effective. It's somewhat surprising (well, maybe
not) that the FDA would choose the RDA level of 55 mcg/day for a phase III
study of 32,500 men, funded by the National Cancer Institute, to test the
benefits of selenium and vitamin E on preventing prostate cancer.
I suspect the results, which will be released after the 2013
completion date of the study, will be underwhelming and cited as proof that
selenium is worthless. Honestly, they could save their money (actually our
money), since research has already proven it will be largely ineffective at
that dosage. Even worse, hundreds of decent, unsuspecting men will die
needlessly-simply because they didn't receive the amount of selenium they
needed for cancer protection.
SOMETIMES A GOOD DIET
ISN'T ENOUGH
Ideally we should be able to obtain all the nutrients we
need from our diet, but that is becoming more and more difficult.
Food sources for each of the three amino acids I mentioned
earlier (tryptophan, cysteine, and glutamine, used in
the production of glutathione) are those rich in protein. This includes beef,
pork, poultry, fish, eggs, et
cetera.
One of the most cost-effective ways I know of getting adequate amounts is from
either whey protein or spirulina. (Dr. WilsonÕs note – avoid spirulina as it is somewhat toxic. Also, pork is not recommended as it may
contain parasites and often does, even if properly cooked.)
Properly
processed whey protein is one of the best ways to raise and maintain higher
glutathione levels in the body.
RUSSIA AND CHINA
DEFICIENT IN SELENIUM
Regarding selenium in foods, it depends greatly on the
amount of selenium in the soil.
Russia and China have large areas of selenium-poor soil. We routinely see reports of selenium
deficiency in those areas, since most of their food is grown and eaten
locally. (As a side note, when you
combine the low selenium content in China with the mutation of viruses in
low-selenium hosts, itÕs no wonder that so many nasty viruses originate in the
part of the world.)
SOIL AVAILABILITY OF
SELENIUM WORSENING
The
soils conditions everywhere in regards to selenium availability are worsening due
to a couple of factors. First,
acid rain has been created from increased levels of sulfur and nitrogen in the
atmosphere (due to pollution).
This changes the PH of the soil, making it more difficult for selenium
to bind to plant roots.
Additionally, heavy metals such as mercury in rainfall quickly bind to
selenium and form insoluble compounds.
Both of these problems lower the amount of selenium entering the food
chain.
EUROPE BANNED SOME
SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTS
It
will be interesting to see what will happen in Europe over the next couple of
decades. I wouldnÕt be surprised
to see a significant decrease in their overall health picture.
The European Union has recently restricted the sale of some
of the best forms of selenium supplements. Much of EuropeÕs soil is practically devoid of
selenium.
Much of their selenium comes from imported wheat, but prices
of the grain have skyrocketed and the drought in Australia has limited
supplies. (Australia, unlike the
US , has severely selenium-deficient soils. This probably contributes to the high incidence of asthma,
skin cancer and other problems in that country.)
IMPAIRED DIGESTION
AND SELENIUM DEFICIENCY
It is also important to note that individuals with more
serious digestive problems, such as CrohnÕs disease,
stomach stapling or other difficulties, are at (much) higher risk of selenium
deficiency.
(This applies also to Americans in general, thanks to their
many digestive problems in relation to all the chemicals in the diets, sugar
habit and more problems to do with digestion.)
WHERE TO GET YOUR
SELENIUM
Selenium is becoming more difficult to obtain from our food
supply. Plants take up selenium
from the soil and propagate it through the food chain. The problem, however, is
that the concentration of selenium in the soil varies tremendously around the
globe, as mentioned earlier.
In
America, for example, the soil in the Midwest, derived from ancient sea beds,
contains as much as 50 ppm, which is as much as 1000
times the amount contained in the pacific Northwest, Great Lakes area,
Northeast or Florida where levels are less than 0.05 ppm.
As a result, average selenium intake varies from about 60-11 mcg daily in the
US or only 11-67 mcg daily in Europe.
Currently, the best dietary source of selenium remains the
Brazil nut. (editorÕs note: I prefer garlic, blue corn chips and organic yellow
corn for bioavailability and other reasons such as that nuts are too yin if
eaten in quantity). Nuts that you
have to crack yourself have an average of 100 mcg of selenium each. Already-cracked nuts only contain about
1/8 to 1/4 that amount. (The
processed nuts come from a different area of Brazil, where the soil levels of
selenium are lower.)
Tuna, beef, turkey, seafood, mushrooms, eggs and brewerÕs
yeast are also food sources, but the selenium content can vary
dramatically. For this reason I
strongly suggest that you get additional selenium in your supplements.
Make sure your multivitamin/mineral provides at least 100
mcg in the form of selenomethionine. (Dr. WilsonÕs note: I prefer a
food-based or food-grown selenium supplement. We use the one from Endomet Labs
called Selenium.)
For more on selenium, see the article on this website
entitled Selenium, A New Mineral For Health.
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