Selenium In Nutrition

The Role of Selenium in Nutrition reviews the most pertinent scientific literature dealing with the basic aspects of the present understanding of the roles of selenium (Se) in nutrition and health. The book begins with a general discussion of Se, covering its various forms, chemistry and physical properties, and techniques for Se analysis. This is followed by separate chapters on the environmental aspects of Se, including its presence in mineral deposits, soils, water, air, and uptake by plants; Se contents of human foods and animal feedstuffs; biological utilization of dietary Se; and absorption, excretion, metabolism, and tissue concentrations of Se. Subsequent chapters deal with the biochemical functions of Se; Se-related diseases of animals and livestock; the role of Se in human health and in support of normal immune function and disease resistance; and the relationship of Se and cancer. The final chapter reviews the evidence concerning the toxicity of Se compounds and sets this in perspective with current knowledge of the roles of Se in nutrition and health, and of the normal exposures of animals and humans to Se compounds.

Abstract: A comprehensive, authoritative report of a National Research Council subcommittee reviews current knowledge concerning selenium (Se) in nutrition for nutrition, food, and health professionals. The report focuses on: the chemistry of Se and its analysis; Se distribution in soils, plants, animal feeds, human foods, and water; the Se cycle in nature; biochemical functions of Se (e.g., associations with glutathione peroxidase; nutritional and metabolic inter-associations); Se dietary forms and its absorption, transport, retention, distribution, and metabolism; Se nutritional aspects (dietary requirements and deficiencies in animals, and role in human nutrition); the toxic effects of excess Se; and the effects of high and low Se exposures in human health. A summary of the findings of this report and an extensive list of literature references cited are appended. (wz).

This volume is the newest release in the authoritative series of quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes to be used for planning and assessing diets for healthy people. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) is the newest framework for an expanded approach developed by U.S. and Canadian scientists. This book discusses in detail the role of vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and the carotenoids in human physiology and health. For each nutrient the committee presents what is known about how it functions in the human body, which factors may affect how it works, and how the nutrient may be related to chronic disease. Dietary Reference Intakes provides reference intakes, such as Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), for use in planning nutritionally adequate diets for different groups based on age and gender, along with a new reference intake, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), designed to assist an individual in knowing how much is "too much" of a nutrient.

This book provides information about selenium as an important part of integrated antioxidant systems in animal and human bodies responsible for maintaining health. It contains practical advice in relation to effective usage of selenium supplements, including optimal forms and doses. It also combines fundamental information on selenium biochemistry and metabolism. It also presents the most recent findings, unresolved puzzles and future directions for selenium research. In recent years, natural antioxidants have received tremendous attention in relation to human health and food quality. However, the scientific background of many health-promoting claims for natural antioxidants is not always understandable for the general public and needs further clarification. Furthermore, agricultural applications of antioxidants await further investigation.

The goal of this book is to provide up to date information about the roles of Se in pig nutrition and health. Specific Se-deficiency related disorders in pigs are also described, and the importance of Se in growth, development, immunity and reproduction is demonstrated. Molecular mechanisms of protective effects of Se under stressful conditions of commercial pig production are characterised.

The goal of this book is to provide up to date information about the roles of Se in poultry nutrition and health. A special emphasis is given to the role of selenium as an essential part of the integrated antioxidant system. Se in feed and organic Se are characterised in detail with emphasis to selenomethionine as a storage form of Se in the body. Also specific Se-deficiency related diseases in poultry are described and the importance of Se in growth, development, immunity and reproduction is demonstrated. A link between poultry industry and human health via production of Se-eggs and Se-enriched meat is shown.

This book provides readers with a clear and reliable account of the extraordinary story of selenium and its role in human health. It is written in a readable and user-friendly manner, and takes into account the considerable amount of fresh information that has been published over the past decade. The book if for the reader who wants to make an informed judgment about the competing claims for and against Selenium’s value as a nutritional supplement.

The third volume of Advances in Nutritional Research continues the precedent set in previous volumes of providing authoritative reviews on the current state of knowledge with respect to major topics of ongoing nutritional research. This series is designed to be of value to investigators engaged in fundamental research as well as to those involved in its application to problems in human and animal nutrition. This volume contains three chapters on recent developments in research on inorganic elements, including a review, by F. H. Nielsen, of the evidence for a requirement for additional trace elements; a conspectus, by C. E. Casey and K. M. Hambidge, on the occurrence of trace element deficiencies in man; and a description, by M. Janghorbani and V. R. Young, of new methods of assessing the bioavailability of minerals in the diet. There are also three chapters on current topics of lipid research. One (by F. D. Sauer) is devoted to the cardiopathic effects of certain dietary monoenoic fatty acids, another (by C. Galli) to the influence of diet on prostaglandin synthesis, and the third (by H. 0. Bang and J. Dyerberg) to an analysis of the role of the unusual polyunsaturated fatty acids found in marine oils in the prevention of ischemic heart disease.