Keshan Disease Link to Selenium Chemical Concentration

Keshan disease is a dietary deficiency in the mineral selenium ("Fifty to 100 mcg selenium per day is thought to be sufficient to prevent deficiencies" 11), attributed to congestive cardiomyopahty a heart muscle disease 1. The disease mostly afflicts children 2 - 10 years old.11 When the chemical element selenium is lacking in the human body may lead to death and over exposure of the chemical is toxic, especially in certain working environments of manufacturing. 2 Sufficient amount of selenium should be present in certain cells of the body 3: Stimulate antibody response to fight infections and increase energy in the body. 4 Supplements of selenium can prevent Keshan Disease and researchers are investing selenium supplements preventing cancer. Certain foods are good sources of selenium, besides being found in soil. 2

In 1817 Jons Jakob Berzelius discovered chemical element Selenium as a byproduct of sulphuric acid production. 1 "All human tissues contain selenium, with the highest concentration in the kidney, liver, spleen, pancreas and testes." Selenium functions as an antioxidant protecting the human body from environmental and dietary toxins. Also, the chemical element protects against health of concerns including cancer, cataracts, heart disease, strokes, aging, and reduces severity of cold sores. According to a five year study, conducted by Cornell University and the University of Arizona, when subjects were given 200 mcg (conversion of measurement Units) daily: Fifty-Eight percent fewer colorectal cancers, 46% fewer lung malignancies, and 63% fewer prostate tumors. Overall the study confirmed 39% decrease in cancer related deaths. 6 Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and Related Compounds advises: "Supplements of selenium are believed to be safe as long as the total daily intake is no more than 400 - 450 mcg, from all sources." 14 Recommended food sources of selenium: Beef, lamb, and park, herring, tuna, mackerel, cod, lobster, cashews, walnuts (peanuts), milk, molasses, onions and garlic. 5

In China (Keshan province 9), New Zealand, Finland and other parts of the world where selenium level in the soil is low (tested results), people living within these regions do not get required daily amount of selenium in their diet are diagnosed with Keshan Disease: Potentially fatal heart muscle disease or cardiomyopathy. 7 A blood test measures the amount or absence of selenium. 9 Cardiomyopathy may not always be attributed to low selenium levels. "There is some evidence that children with food allergies have a higher risk of selenium deficiency. 8 Other risk factor for low selenium deficiency: Men have a higher decrease selenium through seminal fluid, Impaired absorption of selenium for those who had a section of their small intestine removed (may require supplementation), and people on restricted or medical diets to treat metabolic disorders may not be getting sufficient amount of selenium 4

Treatment recommendation for Keshan disease selenium supplementation: Adult men 55 micrograms per day (Up to 70 micrograms for sexual active men. 9 "Selenium has been shown to improve the production of sperm and sperm motility." 10), 60 micrograms per day for women during pregnancy and 70 micrograms per day for women during lactation. 7 Physicians have recommend taking Vitamin E and Selenium supplement, work best together. 9 Researchers are evaluating if selenium supplementation may help improve asthma symptoms, heal burns faster, provide treatment for cataracts, and help to improve dandruff. 8 Studies conducted in China have shown selenium supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in the number of liver and esophageal cancers but a number of these studies included other supplement ingredients. During a ten year study of 1,300 patients in seven low-selenium areas of the United States, participants received 200 mcg per day selenium supplements: Researchers detected an appreciable deduction in the number of lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers and increased risk of breast cancer (Three times more likely.).11

An over-dose or over-exposure of selenium may cause intestinal distress, balding, weakness (loss of feeling and control in arms and legs), and slow mental functioning. Others symptoms associated to harmful levels of selenium: Brittle hair, and deformed nails. In Western States and other parts of the United States soils contain high levels of soluble selenium such as some organic forms of selenium or selenate: "In these areas, humans can be exposed to too much selenium if they eat locally grown grains and vegetables that have built-up high levels of selenium." In some workplace environments, people are exposed to an excessive amount of selenium, especially in metal industries, painting, special trades, and selenium-recovery processing. Workers exposed to high levels of selenium reported fatigue, dizziness, irritation of mucous membrane, and severe symptoms including bronchitis, and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). "Because selenium sulfide is not absorbed through the skin, use of shampoos containing this compound is considered safe unless a person has open cuts or sores on the scalp or hands."13 Astragalus herb (Native plant of China, Korea and Mongolia. Herb used in Chinese Medicine to improve the function of the immune system12) treats soils that have toxic levels of selenium by absorbing the accumulation. 9

References:

1.) Keshan disease - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keshan_disease

2.) Selenium - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenium

3.) SELENIUM - http://www.selenium.co.za/

4.) All About Minerals - http://www.vitalhealthzone.com/nutrition/minerals/selenium.html

5.) NUTRITION - Selenium - http://www.formulamedical.com/Topics/Nutrition/Selenium.htm

6.) Safe Organic Selenium Supplement - http://www.selenium.co.za/

7.) Definition of Keshan disease - http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4101

8.) Selenium: Uses and Health Benefits - http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=aig&.yficrumb=YcxUwqmlDFP

9.) Keshan Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/disorders/keshan.htm

10.) Selenium - http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=aig&.yficrumb=YcxUwqmlDFP

11.) Selenium: Antioxidant & Cancer Quencher - http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Selenium_Antioxidant.shtml

12.) Astragalus Plant, Astragalus root - http://www.maletsky.com/herbs/astragalus.htm

13.) Selenium - http://www.eco-usa.net/toxics/selenium.shtml

14.) Selenium The Wonder Mineral - http://janis7hepc.com/Nutrition/Selenium.htm