Food systems need to produce enough of the essential trace element Se to provide regular adult intakes of at least 40 microg/d to support the maximal expression of the Se enzymes, and perhaps as much as 300 microg/d to reduce risks of cancer. Deprivation of Se is associated with impairments in antioxidant protection, redox regulation and energy production as consequences of suboptimal expression of one or more of the Se-containing enzymes. These impairments may not cause deficiency signs in the classical sense, but instead contribute to health problems caused by physiological and environmental oxidative stresses and infections. At the same time, supranutritional intakes of Se, i.e. intakes greater than those required for selenocysteine enzyme expression, appear to reduce cancer risk. The lower, nutritional, level is greater than the typical intakes of many people in several parts of the world, and few populations have intakes approaching the latter, supranutritional, level. Accordingly, low Se status is likely to contribute to morbidity and mortality due to infectious as well as chronic diseases, and increasing Se intakes in all parts of the world can be expected to reduce cancer rates.

/pdf/selenium-in-global-food-systems-23a5koo10v.pdf

Selenium in global food systems.

Implication of free radical mechanisms in ethanol-induced cellular injury

Essentiality of selenium in the human body: relationship with different diseases.

The Influence of Alcohol on Nutritional Status

Alcohol consumption and abuse can have a variety of cutaneous manifestations. In addition to the well-recognized stigmata of the chronic alcoholic patient, even early abuse can result in distinctive skin changes or exacerbate existing cutaneous disorders. An accurate history of alcohol intake will facilitate recognition of these alcohol-induced cutaneous disorders and treatment resistance of dermatoses such as psoriasis as well as help decrease morbidity in surgical procedures. Familiarization with the spectrum of cutaneous manifestations of alcohol abuse and alcoholic liver disease can also allow for early detection and treatment in an attempt to minimize the medical consequences. We review the medical literature and discuss the spectrum of dermatologic disease associated with the use and abuse of alcohol. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:1-16.) Learning objective: At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants should be familiar with the cutaneous manifestations of alcohol abuse and alcoholic liver disease.

https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(00)40568-2/pdf

Kai J. Harju

Papers

Decreased serum selenium m alcoholics — a consequence of liver dysfunction