Notes on Selenium

Selenium - part of  the Iodine protocol...

http://www.naturalnews.com/021644.html

"In this cross-sectional survey of cognitive function in rural elderly Chinese, we found that decreasing selenium levels as measured in nail sample are associated with lower cognitive scores when controlling for age, gender, education, body mass index and APOE status," said Indiana University researcher Sujuan Gao, the study's lead author.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenium

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 and heart disease. Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system.

 Selenium salts are toxic in large amounts, but trace amounts are necessary for cellular function in many organisms. It is a component of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase (which indirectly reduce certain oxidized molecules in animals and some plants). It is also found in three deiodinase enzymes, which convert one thyroid hormone to another. Selenium requirements in plants differ by species, with some plants, it seems, requiring none.^[3]

 … Selenium is a component of the unusual amino acids selenocysteine and selenomethionine. In humans, selenium is a trace element nutrient that functions ascofactor for reduction of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidases[24]

 …Selenium also plays a role in the functioning of the thyroid gland and in every cell that uses thyroid hormone, by participating as a cofactor for the three known thyroid hormone deiodinases, which activate and then deactivate various thyroid hormones and their metabolites.[25] It may inhibit Hashimotos's disease, in which the body's own thyroid cells are attacked as alien. 

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Selenium & Sugar (effects on behavior) - excerpts from:

http://1phil4everyill.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/dr-russell-blaylock-nutrition-...

(please see the whole blog from the link above for a more complete information).

Dr Russell Blaylock – Nutrition and Behavior

Selenium and Behavior

1. Deficiencies cause depression and confusion [preconceptual care]
2. High selenium supplementation (227 ug/d) saw significant improvement in mood.
3. Major role in brain function

Sugar Consumption and Behavior

1. 1900 Americans consumed 4 pounds of sugar a year
2. Now 129 pounds a year, 2500% increase [actually in 1999 it was already at 159 pounds a year]
3. 57% of this comes from processed foods
4. Leading source is fruit juices and sodas (43%)
5. Since 1974 consumption of sodas has doubled
6. Teenagers are drinking an equivalent of 54 teaspoons of sugar a day (nutritionists say not more than 10 teaspoons a day)
7. Adults age 40-59 increased intake of soft drinks 250% between 1972 and 2001
8. Over age 60+ increased 300%
9. Sugar makes the body age faster. People with a high calorie diet have more Altheimer’s disease than normal people
   
10. Estimated that 50% of people have reactive hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia and Aggression

1. Strong connection between alcohol abuse, hypoglycemia and criminal behavior
   97% of alcoholics are hypoglycemic vs 18% of controls are hypoglycemic
2. When hypoglycemia is treated:
   71% attain sobriety
   25% for Alcoholics Anonymous
3. Associated with aggression, especially those with temporal lobe dysfunction.
4. Indians of Peru – 55% hypoglycemia and aggression very high
5. Aspartame and MSG both stimulate insulin release from the pancreas and induce hypoglycemia and thus stimulates actual weight-gain.
6. MSG induces intense rage with micro-injections into the hypothalamus
7. In presence of hypoglycemia, MSG induced excito-toxicity is greatly magnified
8. Several amino-acids can make you hypoglycemic: taurine, glutamine, isoleucine, leucine… the latter kind kills babies (sudden death) and it can kill adults