Selenium acts as an antioxidant against free radicals that damage our DNA. It is often included with Vitamins C and E to help fight against cancer, heart disease and even aging.

Cancer

The connection between selenium and cancer was originally found when researchers evaluated selenium levels in crops and low blood selenium levels and cancer death rates. Further research discovered that low selenium levels in cancer patients was associated with multiple primary tumors, multiple recurrence of the cancer, short survival times after diagnosis, and increased spreading of the cancer (metastasis).

Selenium and Heart Disease

As with cancer, where the intake of dietary selenium is lowest, so the incidence of cardiovascular disease is highest. Significantly, it has been shown that supplementation with selenium increases the ratio of HDL (good) cholesterol to LDL (bad) cholesterol and inhibits platelet aggregation.

Selenium and Immune Function

The body's natural antioxidant enzyme, Glutathione peroxidase, is dependent on the presence of selenium. Therefore, when selenium levels are low, this enzyme is severely compromised. This, in turn, results in suppression of the immune system, including arrested development of important white blood cells. Adding selenium to the diet results in restoration and/or increased immune function.

Hepatitis/Liver Disease

Selenium levels appear to be severely depleted in individuals suffering from liver disease, specifically cirrhosis and hepatitis. Low selenium levels are also found in those with high total cholesterol levels.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A double-blind study found supplementing 200 mcg per day of selenium for three months significantly reduced painful joint involvement in those people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Asthma

Reduced blood selenium levels have consistently been found in adults with asthma. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) found evidence that selenium-rich foods, such as fish and cereals/whole grains, may protect against asthma in children.

Male Infertility

Selenium has been long recognized as essential for successful human reproduction as it is required for sperm maturation and motility, and may reduce the risk of miscarriage. Human studies have shown low dose selenium supplementation to be effective in the correction of male infertility.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Selenium may have a protective effect against mercury and other heavy metal toxicities. Experimental findings have shown that selenium-deficient rodents are more susceptible to the prenatal toxicity of methylmercury. Selenium is an antagonist to cadmium, especially in acute exposures.

Hypothyroidism

In a randomized, prospective, blinded study in 36 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, selenium supplementation of 200 mcg per day for three months decreased thyroid specific antibodies from 100 percent to 63.6 percent. Even more importantly, nine of 36 patients had complete normalization of thyroid antibody concentrations.

Cataracts

Oxidation of lens proteins is part of the disease process of cataracts. Evaluation of selenium levels in humans has found lower than normal levels in sera and aqueous humor in cataract patients.

Ingredients: Each Capsule Contains: L-selenomethione.........200 mcg