Selenium
Selenium is a chemical element, having the chemical symbol Se.
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Its atomic number (the number of protons) is 34. It has a Standard Atomic Weight of 78.96(3), and is typically found as a solid in its elemental form.
Selenium is considered to be a member of the "Non-Metal" class of elements, has a boiling point of 685 °C , and a melting point of 220.5 °C .
Role in health
Selenium is a cofactor to the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.[1] Selenium has many additional roles.[2]
Deficiency of selenium may cause heart failure.[3] This may occur in the settings of anorexia nervosa,[4] bariatric surgery,[5] peripartum cardiomyopathy[6] and Keshan disease. However, while selenium levels are lower among patients with heart failure than among controls, levels are similarly decreased whether heart failure is idiopathic or ischemic.[7]
Deficiency of selenium may cause coronary heart disease.[8]
Supplementation with selenium shows:
- Uncertain role in prevention of cancer.[9]
- A small randomized controlled trial showed benefit on heart failure from micronutrient supplementation that included selenium.[10]
References
- ↑ Ahrens RA (1997). "Glutathione peroxidase: a role for selenium (Rotruck 1972).". J Nutr 127 (5 Suppl): 1052S-1053S. PMID 9164308. [e]
- ↑ Rayman MP (2000). "The importance of selenium to human health.". Lancet 356 (9225): 233-41. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02490-9. PMID 10963212. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Saliba W, El Fakih R, Shaheen W (2010). "Heart failure secondary to selenium deficiency, reversible after supplementation.". Int J Cardiol 141 (2): e26-7. DOI:10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.11.095. PMID 19059654. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Birmingham CL, Gritzner S (2007). "Heart failure in anorexia nervosa: case report and review of the literature.". Eat Weight Disord 12 (1): e7-10. PMID 17384523. [e]
- ↑ Boldery R, Fielding G, Rafter T, Pascoe AL, Scalia GM (2007). "Nutritional deficiency of selenium secondary to weight loss (bariatric) surgery associated with life-threatening cardiomyopathy.". Heart Lung Circ 16 (2): 123-6. DOI:10.1016/j.hlc.2006.07.013. PMID 17324623. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Cénac A, Touré K, Diarra MB, Sergeant C, Jobic Y, Sanogo K et al. (2004). "[Plasma selenium and peripartum cardiomyopathy in Bamako, Mali].". Med Trop (Mars) 64 (2): 151-4. PMID 15460143. [e]
- ↑ Koşar F, Sahin I, Taşkapan C, Küçükbay Z, Güllü H, Taşkapan H et al. (2006). "Trace element status (Se, Zn, Cu) in heart failure.". Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 6 (3): 216-20. PMID 16943104. [e]
- ↑ Flores-Mateo G, Navas-Acien A, Pastor-Barriuso R, Guallar E (2006). "Selenium and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis.". Am J Clin Nutr 84 (4): 762-73. PMID 17023702. PMC PMC1829306. [e]
- ↑ Clark LC, Combs GF, Turnbull BW, Slate EH, Chalker DK, Chow J et al. (1996). "Effects of selenium supplementation for cancer prevention in patients with carcinoma of the skin. A randomized controlled trial. Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Study Group.". JAMA 276 (24): 1957-63. PMID 8971064. [e]
- ↑ Witte KK, Nikitin NP, Parker AC, von Haehling S, Volk HD, Anker SD et al. (2005). "The effect of micronutrient supplementation on quality-of-life and left ventricular function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.". Eur Heart J 26 (21): 2238-44. DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehi442. PMID 16081469. Research Blogging.