Posts Tagged ‘circadian rhythm’

Selenium is a Powerful Chemopreventive Agent

Selenium is an antioxidant that is important for the immune system, and thyroid hormone metabolism. Selenium is a powerful chemopreventive agent. It works by protecting cells from damage.

The State University of New Jersey has discovered that selenium can help reset a cell’s “biological clock” when it is disrupted by a chemical cancer-causing agent. Selenium is a trace mineral found in whole foods.

Studies have shown that the circadian rhythm is responsible for regulating blood pressure, appetite, and immune function. It is critical to the growth of cells and how the cells react to environmental and internal stress.

Circardian Rhythm

Circadian rhythm is known to be disrupted by shift work. It also has been shown that shift workers have an increased risk of mammary and prostrate cancers. The findings could lead to ways to help prevent breast cancer.

If a simple dietary supplement can reverse the effect of shift work, as it has done in experimental models, than it is prudent to be sure that you are not deficient in selenium.

Only a small amount is needed by humans to protect the cells. Research has shown that methylselenocysteine (MCS), produced by plants, exhibits chemopreventive effects in the early states of tumor development by slowing growth when exposed to chemical carcinogens.

Selenium Under Attack

The soil’s condition is the key to the amount of selenium in plant foods or animal sources. Animals eat a diet that is based on what grows, and if the soil is poor their supply of selenium is limited. The mineral content of the soil has changed over the years. Studies show fewer cancers in areas where there is more selenium in the food. This is a universal problem that is causing an overfed nation to have an undernourished population 

Whole Foods To The Rescue

Selenium is needed in the diet on a daily basis. The good news is we need very small amounts, and with a whole food diet we will cover our basic requirement. 

In fact selenium is one trace mineral you want do not want to not load up on. It can be toxic in high amounts. That is one reason food sources are the best choice. Some consider 55 micrograms enough for adults. That is the recommended dietary allowance, many health care practitioners recommend anywhere from 100-200 mcg of selenium depending on the personal needs of the patient.

Brazil nuts are one of the most concentrated sources of selenium. All it takes is one to two Brazil nuts a day. It is a food source and that is preferable to a supplement. Besides being less expensive, it is safer.

Natural food sources high in selenium are nuts, legumes (soybeans), animal products such as beef, chicken, and cheese, seafood (tuna), oats, button mushrooms,  garlic, onion, broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes, whole grains, and seeds. Fruit such as dates, bananas, watermelon, mango, and pomegranate have trace amounts of selenium.

Although very high doses of selenium can be toxic, most people do not get enough from their current diet. It is in fact safe to add more selenium-rich foods, especially organic vegetables and fruits to your diet.