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The importance of selenium to human health.

Margaret P. Rayman, +2 more
- pp 107-130
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TLDR
The essential trace mineral, selenium, is of fundamental importance to human health as mentioned in this paper, and it is needed for the proper functioning of the immune system, and appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV progression to AIDS.
Abstract
The essential trace mineral, selenium, is of fundamental importance to human health. As a constituent of selenoproteins, selenium has structural and enzymic roles, in the latter context being best-known as an antioxidant and catalyst for the production of active thyroid hormone. Selenium is needed for the proper functioning of the immune system, and appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV progression to AIDS. It is required for sperm motility and may reduce the risk of miscarriage. Deficiency has been linked to adverse mood states. Findings have been equivocal in linking selenium to cardiovascular disease risk although other conditions involving oxidative stress and inflammation have shown benefits of a higher selenium status. An elevated selenium intake may be associated with reduced cancer risk. Large clinical trials are now planned to confirm or refute this hypothesis. In the context of these health effects, low or diminishing selenium status in some parts of the world, notably in some European countries, is giving cause for concern.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI

Selenium and human health

TL;DR: The crucial factor that needs to be emphasised with regard to the health effects of selenium is the inextricable U-shaped link with status; whereas additional seenium intake may benefit people with low status, those with adequate-to-high status might be affected adversely and should not take selenum supplements.
Journal ArticleDOI

Characterization of Mammalian Selenoproteomes

TL;DR: This work identified selenoprotein genes in sequenced mammalian genomes by methods that rely on identification of selenocysteine insertion RNA structures, the coding potential of UGA codons, and the presence of cysteine-containing homologs.
Book

Trace Elements From Soil to Human

TL;DR: Trace Elements of the Human Environment: Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements and Trace Elements of Group 1 (Previously Group Ia).
Journal ArticleDOI

Selenium in human health and disease.

TL;DR: The relationships between selenium intake/status and health, or risk of disease, are complex but require elucidation to inform clinical practice, to refine dietary recommendations, and to develop effective public health policies.
Journal ArticleDOI

Selenium in global food systems.

TL;DR: 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.
References
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Effects of Selenium Supplementation for Cancer Prevention in Patients With Carcinoma of the Skin: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TL;DR: Results from secondary end-point analyses support the hypothesis that supplemental selenium may reduce the incidence of, and mortality from, carcinomas of several sites and require confirmation in an independent trial of appropriate design before new public health recommendations regarding seenium supplementation can be made.
Journal ArticleDOI

Slowing of wound healing by psychological stress

TL;DR: The effects of psychological stress, caused by caring for a relative with Alzheimer's disease, on wound healing are investigated and stress-related defects in wound repair could have important clinical implications, for instance for recovery from surgery.
Journal ArticleDOI

Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition

TL;DR: T trace elements in human and animal nutrition, it will really give you the good idea to be successful.
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