SELENIUM, Dr. Abhay Kumar Pati

July 11, 2010 - PRLog -- SELENIUM, dr.Abhay kumar Pati, USA

DESCRIPTION
Selenium, an essential trace mineral, derives its name from the goddess of the moon, Selene. Before 1979, it was thought that selenium was important only for animals, and poisonous to humans. Now it is known to be an antioxidant, which is 50 to 100 times more powerful than vitamin E and essential for humans.  As an antioxidant, like vitamins C and E, it destroys potentially harmful free radicals. It maintains a healthy heart and normal liver function, ensures correct functioning of the eyes, is necessary for healthy hair and skin, and may help to protect against cancer.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Selenium deficiency is fairly rare in the West while we continue to enjoy foods from other countries whose soil is still rich in selenium. For this reason specific deficiency symptoms relating to selenium are not documented. However, Keshan disease (a heart disease which primarily affects Chinese children) does arise when dietary intake of selenium is inadequate.

THERAPEUTIC USES
•    arthritic symptoms
•    high blood pressure
•    skin, hair and nail problems
•    helps detoxify the body of heavy metals (e.g., mercury in dental fillings)

THOSE WHO MAY NEED TO SUPPLEMENT
•   individuals who may not be eating properly
•    vegetarians
•    the elderly
•    smokers
•    pregnant women and nursing mothers

RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE
   Age   Selenium (mcg/day)

   0-6 months   10
   6-12 months   15
   1-3 years   20
   4-6 years   20
   7-10 years   30
   11-14 years (males)   40
   15-18 years (males)   50
   19-24 years (males)   70
   25-50 years (males)   70
   51+ years (males)   70
   11-14 years (female)   45
   15-18 years (females)   50
   19-24 years (females)   55
   25-50 years (females)   55
   51+ years (females)   55
   Pregnancy   65
   Lactation, 0-6 months   75
   Lactation, 6-12 months   75

BEST FOOD SOURCES
   Food   Selenium (mcg/100g)

   organ meats (kidney, liver, heart)   approx. 40
   fish and shellfish   approx. 32
   meat   approx. 18
   whole grains and cereals   approx. 12
   dairy products   approx.   5
   fruits and vegetables   approx.   2

SAFETY
Extremely high doses of selenium (5,000 mcg per day) taken over a long period of time have resulted in hair loss and deformed fingernails. Daily doses of 1,000 mcg over a long period of time have resulted in the sweat smelling of garlic despite the fact that no garlic was eaten, as well as thicker but weaker fingernails. Diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and irritability are other symptoms experienced with excessive daily doses.

INTERACTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS
Selenium works with vitamin E as an antioxidant, and may be helpful in certain heart diseases. Selenium in conjunction with vitamins C and E has inhibited cancer in laboratory studies with animals.

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Dr.Abhay Kumar Pati, Best Nutrition Products, Inc.Hayward, California, USA and Biotechayur, Odisha, India manufacturer of a large number of bestnutrition, glutathione, ashwagandha, gymnema, diabotica, gugul, psyllium, boswella, vitamins, minerals, Chinese and Ayurvedic herbal, nutritional supplements, phytochemicals, raw materials of standardized molecules of plants and fruit extracts. Dr. Abhay Kumar Pati, is a physician, author, entrepreneur and industrialist based in the United States, having ventures across the globe. Dr.Pati states that many of our health problems and diseases can be prevented, treated well with lifestyle, food habits and nutritional supplements. Most of the fruit contain ascorbic acid, enzymes, bioflavonoids, rich in minerals like chromium, potassium, and magnesium etc as well as B vitamins to amino acids.