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Selenium, Se


Metabolism
absorbed in the upper GI tract

Functions
involved in glutathione peroxidase synthesis
HPETE -> HETE, instead of leukotrienes
leukotrienes increases production of mucus
leukotrienes contract smooth muscle in the lungs
may inhibit several forms of cancer
inhibits reverse transcriptase, inhibits viral replication
increases cytotoxicity of killer T cells, potentiates interleukin 2
anti-clotting

Requirements
RDA - 55-70 mcg qd, ODI - 200-300 mcg qd

Sources
Brazil nuts, snapper, halibut

Deficiency
Keshan disease - cardiomyopathy caused by deficiency
Kashin-Beck disease - arthritis caused by deficiency
Duchenne's muscular dystrophy - increased excretion

Toxicity
selenium has a narrow margin of safety
garlic breath and sweat, metallic taste in mouth
N/V, weight loss, GI irritation
depression, nervousness, emotional instability
hair loss, fingernail damage

Therapeutics
EENT
cataracts - cofactor for glutathione peroxidase
macular degeneration - cofactor for glutathione peroxidase
Respiratory
asthma - decreases leukotriene synthesis from arachadonic acid
cystic fibrosis
Cardiac
cardiovascular disease - with vitamin E
Liver
detoxification - involved in glutathione peroxidase synthesis
heavy metal toxicity
Immune
allergies
viral infection - selenoprotein inhibits viral replication
HIV - inhibits reverse transcriptase
herpes, molluscom contagiosum, polio - inhibits viral replication
immunity - potentiates interleukin 2
Musculoskeletal
Osgood-Schlatter disease - with vitamin E
muscular dystrophy - increases secretion associated with Dechenne's
arthritis, inflammatory disease - anti-inflammatory
Oncology
chemotherapy protection - involved in glutathione peroxidase synthesis
cancer prevention - increases cytotoxicity of killer T cells

 

 

 

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Nutritional Genetics is a fantastic resource.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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