What Is Selenium Yeast?

Selenium is essential in small amounts to all animal life. It is a trace element, and can be toxic when there is an overabundance in the body. Selenium is important for helping the body to form functional proteins. Selenium is found in supplements, among them selenium yeast supplements. Selenium has shown itself useful in several medical conditions including liver cancer and HIV.

Supplements

Selenium yeast supplements are available at many health food stores and super markets. Inorganic supplement forms of selenium are sodium selenite, and sodium selenate. Selenomethionine and selenium yeast are an organic form of selenium. These organic forms can also be found in some foods.

Inorganic forms of selenium are not absorbed as well as organic forms. Selenite only has about a fifty percent absorption rate. However, it is retained in the body longer than selenate. Selenate is almost completely absorbed by the body but, much of it is excreted from the body through urine before it can be used by the body's protein.

The organic forms of selenium are widely available as supplements. Organic selenium supplements work considerably better than inorganic forms. Some makers of selenomethionine and selenium-enriched yeast do add inorganic forms of selenium into their products. So, be careful before purchasing.

Quidong, China Study

According to the Linus Pauling Institute at the University of Oregon, a clinical trial in five townships of Quidong, China showed that selenium yeast tablets were beneficial for preventing liver cancer. Of 113 patients that took the selenium yeast tablets, no people developed liver cancer, while 7 of the 113 patients on the placebo pill developed liver cancer. Eight years after the initial study, scientists noticed that the chance of liver cancer was significantly reduced in populations that continued a selenium rich diet.

Low Selenium Levels

There is some evidence that shows that low levels of selenium, a problem not common in the United States, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there is not definitive evidence at this time. The Linus Pauling Institute states that there needs to be more trials done before any significant benefit of selenium use in cardiovascular patients can be determined.

HIV and Aids Research

Declining selenium levels help doctors to identify that HIV is progressing to AIDS. Low levels of selenium in the plasma have been associated with many deaths in HIV patients. Adding selenium yeast into the diet may enhance the function of the immune system, as well as reduce the risk of death from HIV. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, researchers suggest that both the immune system and the activity of the HIV virus are directly affected by the selenium nutritional status.

Toxicity

It is important to note that not everyone should take selenium supplements. Always consult a doctor before adding any supplements into the diet. Selenium is necessary for health, but high doses of selenium are toxic. There are fatal consequences if a person overdoses with selenium. Acute toxicity is possible when the dosage is too high, but it is also possible to obtain a toxic overdose after taking selenium over an extended period of time.

Selenium overdose symptoms include brittle hair and nails, or the loss of hair and nails. Gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rashes, garlic breath, fatigue, irritability, and nervous system abnormalities are all signs that there is too much selenium in the diet.

References

• Selenium Is
• Linus Pauling Institute