Selenium Consumption

The northern parts of Europe produce selenium-poor foods. Selenium consumption in Germany is low, on average, amounting to between 40 and 90 jg per day. The normal selenium requirement of women and men is not met in every case, and selenium deficiency in German is common (Drobner 1997, Anke et al. 2002, 2003). Vegetarians, on average, take in less selenium than people with mixed diets. 

Sulfur [7704-34-9] S, a nonmetallic element, is the second element of Group 16 (VIA) of the Periodic Table, coming below oxygen and above selenium. In massive elemental form, sulfur is often referred to as brimstone. Sulfur is one of the most important taw materials of the chemical industry. It is of prime importance to the fertilizer industry (see Fertilizers) and its consumption is generally regarded as one of the best measures of a nation s industrial development and economic activity (see Sulfur compounds Sulfurremoval and recovery Sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide). 

Selenium is a vital microelement for people. It has dual properties. Selenium is an essential nutrient at low concentration levels and it becomes toxic at higher concentration levels. Deficiency of selenium results in weakness and hard diseases. Selenium is a building material of many hormones and ferments it neutralizes free radicals, radioactive radicals in organism. The range of selenium safety concentration in food and water is very narrow. The daily normal amount of human consumption of selenium is 10-20 p.g, maximum safe concentration of selenium in water is 5-10 p.g/1. It becomes toxic at 20-30 p.g and bigger content in different objects. 

Domestic consumption of selenium in 1981 exceeded 453,000 kg. About 50% was used in electronic and copier components, 22% in glass manufacturing, 20% in chemicals and pigments, and 8% miscellaneous (Cleveland et al. 1993). In 1987, world production of selenium was about 1.4 million kg (USPHS 1996). In 1986, 46% of the global selenium produced was used in the semiconductor and photoelectric industries 27% in the glass industry to counter coloration impurities from iron 14% in pigments and 13% in medicine, in antidandruff shampoos, as catalysts in... 

Results of the second experiment (Table 3) show that Se-enriched broccoli sprouts have properties similar to enriched broccoli florets that contain SeMSC as the predominant form of Se (13). Consumption of Se from high-Se broccoli sprouts, as compared to Se from selenite, resulted in a significant decrease in the number of aberrant crypts. Additional experimentation is needed to determine whether the decrease in carcinogenesis is a result primarily of the presence of SeMSC, and if there is a correlation between SeMSC content in enriched plants and the reduction of carcinogenesis. If such a correlation is established, then the SeMSC content of various enriched plants could be used to screen for the greatest efficacy in tumor reduction. Se-enriched broccoli appears to be similar to enriched broccoli florets, for which the predominant form of selenium was also shown to be SeMSC (13). 

In livestock, selenium has been found to be the cause of blind staggers and alkali disease. Blind staggers occurs as a result of acute ingestion of seleniferous plants and is characterized by impaired vision, depressed appetite, a tendency to wander in circles, paralysis, and death from respiratory failure. A more chronic syndrome described in horses and livestock is alkali disease, which also is associated with consumption of grains or plants containing selenium. The disease is characterized by lack of vitality, loss of appetite, emaciation, deformed hoofs, loss of hair, erosion of the joints of long bones, anemia, cirrhosis, and cardiac atrophy ... 

The main action of vitamin E in human tissue is to prevent oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), thereby protecting lipid and phospholipids in membranes. Vitamin E interacts syn-ergically with other nutrients, such as vitamin C, selenium, and zinc, which are also involved in the oxidation pathway. The recommended intake is strongly related to the quantity of PUFA consumption. Some studies [454-456] on animal models and epidemiological trials in human suggest... 

Nutritional status can also influence the toxic potency of carbon tetrachloride. Animal studies have clearly demonstrated that brief fasting or consumption of diets low in antioxidants (vitamin E, selenium, methionine) can lead to increased carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity. The same may be true for humans, although this is not known for certain. Another aspect of nutritional status affecting carbon tetrachloride toxicity is hepatic energy status. Hepatic ATP levels might influence the ultimate outcome of toxicity (low levels may inhibit recovery mechanisms). 

Subsequent epidemiological studies have supported the association between better health and long-term consumption of diets rich in foods of plant origin. " However, whether this is because such diets minimize exposure to deleterious substances (e.g., oxidized cholesterol, pyrolysis mutagens, salt, saturated fat, etc.), or maximize intake of certain beneficial nutrients (e.g., isothiocyanates and other sulfur-containing plant constituents, mono-unsaturated fatty acids, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, PPT, poly acetylenes, selenium, terpenes, etc.) or some combination as advocated in the Polymeal concept, remains unknown. " An in vitro study indicates that there may be mechanistic basis for true synergy between PPT and isothiocyanates. ... 

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in U.S. males, and there is evidence that dietary fat, soy proteins, vitamin E, and selenium affect risk for this disease. Furthermore, it has been shown that consumption of lycopene and lycopene-containing foods (tomato and tomato paste) is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer. 

Two types of epidemiological relationships have been found in two different populations. Both relationships were inverse to selenium bioavailability and paralleled the results from animal studies. In one type of study, selenium bioavailability has been inversely related to human cancer mortality in American cities and states (14-15). Schrauzer et.al. correlated the age-adjusted mortality from cancer at 17 major body sites with the apparent dietary selenium intakes estimated from food consumption data in 27 countries (16). Significant inverse correlations were observed for cancers of the large intestine, rectum, prostate, breast, ovary, lung, and leukemia. In addition, weaker inverse associations were found for cancers of the pancreas, skin, and bladder. 

Selenium The toxic properties of selenium are closely linked with its speciation. As a consequence, analytical procedures have been developed enabling Se compounds to be determined in biological and food samples. This element is interesting in that safe levels of its consumption lie within narrow limits both Se in excess and... 

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