Posts Tagged ‘selenium’

Melanoma causes, prevention, and management are known. There are natural strategies that can prevent and reverse melanoma. The truth is melanoma isn’t different from other types of cancers. It is dependent on your internal environment. The sun may have very little to do with the development of this condition. When you think melanoma, you think sun exposure. The fact that the rates of melanoma have gone up by 3.1 percent a year since 1992, may reflect changes in both our lifestyles, and a liberal use of suntan creams.

Suntan Lotions and Creams

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the ingredients in sunscreens marketed today have been used for many years and the agency does not have any reason to believe these products are not safe for consumer use.

The list of ingredients can vary from one brand to the next: the list of approved ingredients. Aminobenzoic acid-carcinogen implicated in cardiovascular disease, Avobenzone-carcinogen, Dioxbenzond-skin toxicity, carcinogen, and hormone disruptor, Diazolidinly Urea-carcinogen, affects the endocrine system, central nervous system and compromises the immune system, Methylparaben-interferes with  genes, Octocylene-affects liver, and carcinogen, Octyl methoxycinnamate-carcinogen, disrupts liver function, Oxybenzone-carcinogen and causes vascular disease, Phenoxyethanol, carcinogen, endocrine disrupter, Titanium dioxide-carcinogen when in nanomaterial form, and Zinc Oxide, toxic to the reproductive system.

Then there is retinyl palmitate a form of vitamin A, which is found in about 41% or sunscreens and is a photocarcinogen, which means it is a cancer-causing agent when exposed to sunlight. In a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) study, researchers applied creams contain retinyl palmitate to animals’ skin, and then exposed them to sunlight. The study showed an increased incidence of skin cancer in these animals.

These are the safe ingredients; I hate to speculate on what is not considered safe. After all the research and development (R&D) money spent to withdraw these products would have shareholders in the company looking for new investments. The real benefit from suntan products comes from the commercialization. and sales.

Real Protection

Real protection doesn’t come from an over zealous application of chemical containing suntan lotions. The ozone level may be disappearing, but that may not be as applicable in terms of skin cancer. What is missing in the skin cancer guidelines is the many integrative solutions.

Facts

A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that patients with decreased core muscle density were more likely to see their melanoma spread to other organs. They found it isn’t how old you are but how frail you are. Younger patients in poor health can have worst outcomes than older patients who are fit. What they found it was the underlying vitality of the patient that predicted the outcome.

Deficiencies of micronutrients are frequently found in cancer patients. There are some reports that blood levels of folic acid is 60 to 85% lower in people with cancer. There is conclusive evidence that a folic acid deficiency increases metastatic activity in cultured melanoma cells.

There are numerous studies and clinical evidence that high doses of melatonin can prevent and reverse melanoma. Melatonin suppresses ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage to skin cells. It shows strong antioxidant activity in skin cells exposed to UV light. There are a few studies that seem to suggest that selenium in vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Kale and Brussel sprouts helps your body target melanoma.

Vitamin D especially vitamin D3 fights melanoma. There are many  articles and clinical trials that show the positive effect Vitamin D3 has on killing melanoma cells.

There is a hidden gem that hasn’t been given much coverage. Dr. Dianne Godar of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had this to say: UVB light appears to be protective against melanoma. This is because your body produces Vitamin D in response to the UBA radiation. Dr. Godar points out the well know fact that the melanoma epidemic began long before sunbed usage, and that the dramatic melatonin increase occurs primary in indoor workers, not outdoor workers.

Low vitamin D levels actually predict melanoma, and all-year tans protect against melanoma. Melanoma patients who get sun live longer than those who don’t.

Conclusion

We are meant to survive in the environment that has sustained us for thousands of years. The sun sustains life on this planet. Never before in the history of man was the sun’s image so tarnished. If anything our contact with the outdoors is less then ever. We have withdrawn from our natural surrounding.

These are the factors that have a direct roll in the melanoma epidemic: One, is our reliance on pharmaceuticals (suntan lotion), two, the standard American diet which causes deficiencies of micronutrients, lack of adequate sunshine. From an evolutionary perspective sunshine is essential.

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.