Dr. Donald W. Miller, a cardiac surgeon and Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, shares impressive research findings on the cancer-fighting properties of selenium.
As scientists have now determined, cells of all organisms, whether bacterial, animal, or non-animal, need selenium for proper functioning.
Selenium deficiency has been linked to a wide variety of disorders and diseases, including:
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Hypothyroidism
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Cognitive decline
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Cancer (including lung, prostate, colorectal, skin)
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Heart failure
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Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), as set by the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board, is 55 mcg of selenium per day, based on two studies that show this amount of selenium supports the optimal generation of glutathione peroxidase. This is believed to be adequate for 98 percent of the population.
However, this government recommendation did not take into account a previous finding that shows a dose four times higher (200 mcg) to have an anti-cancer effect, without being toxic.
Some of the scientific explanations for selenium’s anti-cancer effect include:
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Increased antioxidant protection and immune system
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Regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis (programmed cell death)
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Suppression of growth of blood vessels supplying nutrients to the cancer
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Inhibition of tumor cell invasion
The first indications of selenium toxicity are "garlic breath" and dry skin. As the toxicity increases, your fingernails develop white patches, become brittle, and fall off. Hair and nail loss occurs once selenium intake reaches 4,990 mcg per day, according to one study.
LewRockwell.com August 27, 2007