Selenium
Selenomethionine
Selenium essentiality was first discovered in 1957 when Schwartz and Foltz showed that traces of dietary selenium prevent liver necrosis in those fed a diet also deficient in vitamin E. In the 1960s and 1970s epidemiological data began to demonstrate that selenium also possesses anti-carcinogenic activity. Since the discovery that GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE (GSH) is a seleno-enzyme, a total of 18 seleno-enzymes or seleno-proteins have been discovered.
- ANTIOXIDANT - The trace mineral selenium functions primarily as a component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which works with vitamin E in preventing free radical damage to cell membranes. A high concentration of selenium is found within GSH in sperm and within the testis. In a double-blind trial, selenium supplementation of infertile men improved the motility of sperm cells and increased the chance of conception.
- CELLULAR PROTECTION - A double-blind trial that included over 1,300 people found those given 200 mcg of yeast-based selenium per day for 4.5 years had a 50% drop in the cancer death rate compared with the placebo group. Another study found that men consuming the most dietary selenium developed 65% fewer cases of advanced prostate cancer than did men with the lowest levels of selenium intake.
- IMMUNE SUPPORT - Selenium's involvement in the production of glutathione peroxidase affects all aspects of immunity. Selenium supplementation results in augmentation and/or restoration of immune function, stimulating white blood cell and thymus function. Selenium supplementation has reduced t