"Quiz"- You can test yourself.

1. What is Selenium?

2. Where does Selenium get absorbed in the body?

3. What are the major dietary sources of Selenium?

4. Give one symptom & disease of Selenium deficiency?

5. How much is a tolerable upper intake level for adults?

6. Is there any one need a Selenium supplementation? 

What is Selenium?

It is non-metal ultratrace element. It is found in body in small quantity. The amounts are typically measured in micrograms (mcg). It functions through an association with protein, known as selenoproteins. It acts as antioxidant to scavenge free radicals to protect tissues from oxidation.

Selenium and Cancer

Scientists are now revealing the anti-oxidant characteristics of Selenium to protect the cell from oxidative damages.
A new article just released on May 19, 2011 with an evidence to show the potential benefit of Selenium in reducing Lipid Hydro-peroxide - a molecule in low density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is responsible for Coronary Heart Disease.
The research has been done on 10 overweight and 10 normal-weight healthy subjects. The subjects were supplemented with 200 µg sodium selenite/day for 3 weeks with a 3-week placebo control and inversion of treatment periods. Result shows no significant effect in normal-weight and control subjects, however the lipid hydro-peroxide was significantly reduced in overweight subjects. 




Savory LA, Kerr CJ, Whiting P, Finer N, McEneny J, Ashton T. (2011). 

Selenium Supplementation and Exercise: Effect on Oxidant Stress in Overweight Adults. Obesity. 11

Maternal selenium status during early gestation and risk for preterm birth

Preterm birth occurs in 5%-13% of pregnancies. it is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity and has adverse long-term consequences for the health of the child. because of the role selenium plays in attenuating inflammation, and because low concentrations of selenium have been found in women with preeclampsia. Low maternal selenium status during early gestation would increase the risk of preterm birth.

Study has shown 60 women (5.3%) among (n = 1197) who had preterm bith, 21 had premature rupture of the membranes and 13 had preeclampsia. The serum selenium concentration at 12 weeks' gestation was significantly lower among women who had  apreterm birth than among those who delivered at term.
Women in the lowest quartile of serum selenium had twice the risk of preterm birth as women in the upper three quartiles, even after adjustment for the occurence of preeclampsia.

Having low serum selenium at the end of the first trimester was related to preterm birth and was independent of the mother having preeclampsia. Low maternal selenium status during early gestation may increase the risk of preterm premature rupture of the membranes, which is a major cause of preterm birth.

From Canadian Medical Association Journal, March 22, 2011, 183(5), 549-555.