Postive Nation: Health & Wellbeing | elenium: The Vital Balance

Selenium:
The Vital Balance

A selenium rich diet may have great benefits for people living with HIV, so for this issue I would like to introduce you to some selenium rich recipes and provide some information regarding Selenium. By Luis Luna.

What is Selenium?
Selenium is an essential non-metal mineral that in trace amounts is a necessary micronutrient for cellular function in most, if not all, animals. Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS. Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system.

Selenium & HIV.
HIV/AIDS malabsorption can deplete levels of many nutrients, including selenium. Selenium deficiency is associated with decreased immune cell counts and increased disease progression in the HIV/AIDS population. It is suggested that daily selenium supplementation can suppress the progression of HIV-1 viral burden and provide indirect improvement of CD4 count. Research evidence supports the use of selenium as a simple, inexpensive, and safe additional therapy in HIV spectrum disease. As selenium normally acts as an antioxidant, it is possible that low levels of it may increase oxidative stress on the immune system leading to more rapid decline of the immune system. It is also said that HIV may be responsible for the depletion of selenium levels. This in turn could lead to a decline in CD4 helper T-cells further weakening the immune system.
In other HIV research there is an indication that there may be a geographical link between regions of selenium deficient soils and peak incidences of HIV/AIDS infection. For example, much of sub-Saharan Africa is low in selenium. However, Senegal is not, and also has a significantly lower level of AIDS infection than the rest of the continent. AIDS appears to involve a slow and progressive decline in levels of selenium in the body. Whether this decline in selenium levels is a direct result of the replication of HIV or related more generally to the overall malabsorption of nutrients by AIDS patients remains debated, however results of research studies do strongly suggest that selenium status may be a significant predictor of survival for those infected with HIV. It could therefore be important for HIV positive individuals to consume recommended amounts of selenium in their diet.

What foods provide selenium?
Plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries throughout the world. Dietary selenium comes from nuts, cereals, meat, fish and eggs. Brazil nuts are the richest ordinary dietary source of selenium and can contain as much as 544 micrograms of selenium per ounce and about 2500 times as much as any other nut (though this is soil-dependent, since the Brazil nut does not require high levels of the element for its own needs). High levels are also found in meats such as kidney, crab and lobster, in that order.

Toxicity
Although selenium is an essential trace element, it is toxic if taken in excess.

Exceeding the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 400 micrograms per day can lead to selenosis.

Also, a well-controlled study showed that selenium intake is positively correlated with the risk of developing type II diabetes. Because high serum selenium levels are positively associated with the prevalence of diabetes, and because selenium deficiency is rare, supplementation is not recommended in well-nourished populations.

Brazil nuts, like many other nuts, can cause allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals.

As with all dietary advice, it is always advisable to consult with your doctor, clinician or dietician to suit your own individual needs. In my own experience, since increasing selenium in my diet I have had a remarkable improvement in my CD4 count. Here are some

Information sources:
PMID: 17242315 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
FSA (Food Standards Agency) website
Look MP, Rockstroh JK, Rao GS, Kreuzer KA, Spengler U, Sauerbruch T. Serum selenium versus lymphocyte subsets and markers of disease progression and inflammatory response in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection. Biol Trace Elem Res 1997;56(1):31-41.
Singhal N and Austin J. A clinical review of micronutrients in HIV infection. J Int Assoc Physicians AIDS Care 2002;1:63-75.
Romero-Alvira D and Roche E. The keys of oxidative stress in acquired immune deficiency syndrome apoptosis. Medical Hypotheses 1998;51(2):169-73.
Patrick L. Nutrients and HIV; Part One - Beta carotene and selenium, Altern Med Rev 1999;4:403-13. [PubMed abstract]
Baum MK, Shor-Posner G, Lai S, Zhang G, Lai H, Fletcher MA, Sauberlich H, Page JB. High risk of HIV-related mortality is associated with selenium deficiency. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1997;15:370-4. [PubMed abstract]
Campa A, Shor-Posner G, Indacoche F, Zhang G, Lai H, Asthana D, Scott GB, Baum MK. Mortality risk in selenium-deficient HIV-positive children. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1999;15:508-13. [PubMed abstract]
1. Baum MK and Shor-Posner G. Micronutrient status in relationship to mortality in HIV-1 disease. Nutr Rev 1998;56:S135-9. [PubMed abstract].

Selected food sources of selenium

FOOD Approx content In Micrograms (μg)

Brazil nuts, dried, unblanched, 28grams 544
Tuna, light, canned in oil, drained, 85 grams 63
Beef, cooked, 100 grams 35
Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, frozen entrée, 1 serving 34
Cod, cooked, 85 grams 32
Turkey, light meat, roasted, 100 grams 32
Beef, lean only, roasted, 85 grams 23
Chicken Breast, meat only, roasted, 100 grams 20
Noodles, boiled, 1/2 cup 17
Egg, whole, 1 medium 14
Cottage cheese, low fat 2%, 1/2 cup 12
Oatmeal, instant, fortified, cooked, 1 cup 12
Rice, white, long grain, cooked, 1/2 cup 12
Rice, brown, long-grain, cooked, 1/2 cup 10
Walnuts, dried, 28 grams 5
Bread white, 1 slice 4
Cheddar cheese, 28 grams 4