The Role Of 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.

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.

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).

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.

“Role of selenium in health and disease”. This book contains ten articles covering recent advances in our understanding of the relationship between the essential micronutrient selenium and human health and disease. Taken together, these articles strengthen the evidence showing that selenium, as a constituent of selenoproteins, is central to biological stress responses and mechanisms commonly altered in most complex disorders. Relevant to public health concerns, this book also emphasizes the U-shaped dose-response relationship between selenium concentration and disease risk across diverse populations from Europe [articles 2,3,6], the Middle East and North Africa [9], and Taiwan [5]. This highlights the importance of personalized nutrition strategies targeted at individuals with increased risk of disease and low selenium intake. The mechanisms by which selenium status, selenoprotein expression, and inherited genetic variations in the selenium pathway interact to affect molecular pathways involved in disease development are explored in human cohorts [2,3,5-7], and in animal [4] and in vitro models [8]. Furthermore, some reports identified novel potential biomarkers of disease risk and prognosis within the selenium pathway that could further our understanding of many chronic diseases [2,3]. Overall, this book broadens our understanding of the role of selenium in chronic diseases, and provides new directions for future preventative approaches.

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.

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.

Diet and Health examines the many complex issues concerning diet and its role in increasing or decreasing the risk of chronic disease. It proposes dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of the major diseases and causes of death today: atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (including heart attack and stroke), cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and dental caries.