Author Topic: Selenium (Read 17804 times)

Bradly1962 · « **on:** August 30, 2006, 12:06:44 am »

I saw this article via the weekly 'TheBodyPositive' newsletter: http://www.thebody.com/

http://aidsmap.com/en/news/1A45A664-23B6-427B-8C44-717A5F3A0509.asp

I started taking it (200mcg/day) about a week ago, and have already noticed a decrease in diarrea. I guess I'm absorbing more of what I eat. I'll see if it makes a difference in my numbers in October.

~B

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2006, 12:27:41 am »

i was told that men need more selenium than women

J.R.E. · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2006, 07:36:31 am »

Hello Bradley,

Yes, I had seen that article also.Thanks for the link and like usual it had me wondering....

I also bought the 200mcg, and started on it about two weeks ago. Will see what happens. Interestingly, there was this article from "The Body" It goes back to April of 2003 :

Selenium and HIV
Controversy remains over using selenium in people with HIV. Selenium is a toxic substance that gets spread into the environment through the burning of fossil fuel and other industrial processes. Trace amounts of it is often found in drinking water. Symptoms from consuming too much selenium include brittleness and loss of hair and nails, skin redness, blisters, vomiting, fatigue, neurological defects and damage to the liver and spleen.
Trace amounts of selenium are in the foods we eat. At these low levels, selenium is essential for proper immune function. The US Recommended Daily Allowance of selenium (all ages and genders) is 55 micrograms (mcg). Levels are slightly higher for pregnant (60mcg) and lactating (70mcg) women. The Institute of Medicine has proposed that the maximum daily intake before causing toxic effects is roughly 400mcg for adults

I will try it for a little while... I have noticed a slight increase in fatigue lately, but no other symptoms as indicated above.

Take Care------Ray

Bradly1962 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2006, 09:27:13 am »

Quote from: J.R.E. on August 30, 2006, 07:36:31 am

Hello Bradley,

Interestingly, there was this article from "The Body" It goes back to April of 2003 :

Selenium and HIV
Controversy remains over using selenium in people with HIV. Selenium is a toxic substance that gets spread into the environment through the burning of fossil fuel and other industrial processes. Trace amounts of it is often found in drinking water. Symptoms from consuming too much selenium include brittleness and loss of hair and nails, skin redness, blisters, vomiting, fatigue, neurological defects and damage to the liver and spleen.
Trace amounts of selenium are in the foods we eat. At these low levels, selenium is essential for proper immune function. The US Recommended Daily Allowance of selenium (all ages and genders) is 55 micrograms (mcg). Levels are slightly higher for pregnant (60mcg) and lactating (70mcg) women. The Institute of Medicine has proposed that the maximum daily intake before causing toxic effects is roughly 400mcg for adults

I've never heard of it being 'a toxic substance that gets spread into the environment through the burning of fossil fuel and other industrial processes'.

It's an element (on the periodic table) that is found in nature. My capsules indicate that theirs is derived from yeast.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts92.html

"What is selenium?
Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral element that is distributed widely in nature in most rocks and soils. In its pure form, it exists as metallic gray to black hexagonal crystals, but in nature it is usually combined with sulfide or with silver, copper, lead, and nickel minerals."

J.R.E. · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2006, 11:18:12 am »

Hello Bradley,

If you go here :

http://www.thebody.com/pinf/herbs.html#selenium

And scroll down to just about the bottom, it will list differant food and the selenium content ( micrograms)in each if your interested also.

The Best----Ray

aztecan · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2006, 11:00:21 am »

Its funny this should come up now.

Back in the pre-med days, my doc had me take 200 mcg of selenium daily. It was theorized it would strengthen the immune system.

I took it for years. I don't know whether it helped, but, apparently, it didn't hurt.

HUGS,

Mark

J.R.E. · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2006, 11:08:05 am »

Her's a couple more links I found regarding Selenium. I thought these links gave some useful information ;

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsWho/0,3923,4034%7CSelenium,00.html

Also this one: ( lot of reading here, but informative...

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-selenium.html

Ray

zebulon303 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2006, 03:54:54 am »

I have been taking 200mcg of selenium for the past 2-3 months, and I will get my labs result in a couple of days ... I will keep you posted ....

zebulon303 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2006, 04:01:48 am »

I thought I should mention this interesting news also:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8506220439

2006-09-13

Iran's AIDS-Control Drug under Final Approval

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran's Deputy Health Minister said that SCP, the first Iranian drug for controlling the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is now at the stage of receiving the final approval.

Speaking to FNA here on Wednesday, Rasoul Dinarvand said that SCP is a natural drug and not a vaccine, and added that the drug strengthens the immunity system of the body and, thus, increases the resistance of the HIV-infected bodies against secondary infections.

He said the drug can boost the immunity level of the body (cd4) for a specific period of time, which is currently from 9 to 12 months, stating that the efficiency period of the drug may be increased even more in future.

The health official stressed, "SCP may not destroy HIV or clean the virus off the infected bodies, as no other drug has ever succeeded in doing so, because HIV is a hard resisting virus and it chooses to stay in those parts of the body where medicine can hardly reach."

Iran announced a week ago that its scientists have made a magic success by synthesizing a new drug which can control the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome know as the killer AIDS.

The drug is completely new to the world markets and laboratories and is a result of lengthy laboratory works and researches conducted by the Iranian scientists.

Officials have declared that the detailed information about the drug would soon be released during a magnificent ceremony to be thrown at the honor of the team of researchers who have brought more honor and glory for Iran and more hope for the world community.

The ceremony will be attended by the President, the Health Minister and a number of other ministers and officials as well as foreign ambassadors and diplomats residing in Iran.

The drug tests have shown that SCP can upgrade the immunity level of the body and play a vitally effective role in the treatment of AIDS patients, yet Iranian health officials insist that the drug should be considered as a secondary vaccine miraculously good for those infected with HIV, because it stops any further growth of the disease."

The drug is said to be containing the element of Selenium and free from side effects.

blondbeauty · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2006, 01:32:09 pm »

"the MAGIC success..."

Direct inspiration from Ala!

zebulon303 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:33:01 pm »

I know it sounds suspicious, but hey, that gives another hint about the usage of selenium, that's all ...

zebulon303 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2006, 05:46:29 am »

Well the result are here ... no change at all ... I am quite disappointed, I was very hopefull with that ...

blondbeauty · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2006, 02:46:52 pm »

I think atomic bomb technology is much more interesting for them.

fearless · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2006, 08:21:02 pm »

I do take a selenium supplement (50 mcg a day), but I try and boost my natural selenium intake. You only need about 4 brazil nuts a day to get all the selenium you require.

sweetasmeli · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2006, 03:07:58 pm »

I started on a vitamin programme yesterday. I'm taking 200mcg of selenium as part of that. That's really interesting that brazil nuts contain so much selenium - from what Steve said (Hi Steve!) and from one of Ray's links (thanks Ray!) - didnt know that, I'm learning as I go along!

Does anyone know if I have a few brazil nuts (which I quite like) as well as taking my supplement, will I be getting too much selenium and is that a bad thing? Does it make a difference to dosage levels if we get our intake naturally through food or through supplements?

Melia

Ihavehope · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2006, 12:14:51 pm »

You guys should read this forum. Interesting opinions.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=408921

J.R.E. · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2007, 08:52:16 am »

More on selenium, from medpage today :

http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/HIVAIDS/dh/4903

Ray

J.R.E. · « **Reply #17 on:** January 23, 2007, 05:53:25 pm »

Hello ,

Since we had another thread running regarding selenium, I thought I would put that link up here in this thread also ;

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=8189.0

Ray

blondbeauty · « **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2007, 09:22:48 am »

Thank you Ray for the great link. I will take SELENOPRECISE from PharmaNord (Denmark) again. I am not taking any suplements right now.

AustinWesley · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2007, 11:56:15 am »

Hey Guys,

I just had my 4th round of labs done and my numbers had declined some CD4 was 354 and VL 28,000. My doctor still recomends not taking meds at this time.

I read the study showing selenium increased CD4 and decreased VL so just started it about a week ago. Ironically, I've felt like I have had improved energy and I have seen no bad effects. I don't know if it's a coincidence or maybe it does help a bit. I'm gona continue since I didn't see any negative effects.

I remember there being a murder case where a woman was poisoned with selenium, but it wasn't from vitamins. Her ex husband had been aquiring it out of old transistor radios and putting it in her coffee. I think there is a dangerous form made with metals or lead or something that's toxic. At least I thought that is what he gave her.

Anyways, Walgreens had their vitamins on sale buy one, get one free so the 200mg/ 100 bottle was 7.99 and you got the 2nd one for free.

I am not a huge vitamin taker, but so far it seems like it might be a benefit to me.

Wesley

Catman · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2007, 12:05:07 pm »

I'll buy a bottle because anything good for the immune system is fine with me. I'll get those 200mcg. and take them leaving a day between intakes with my regular multi vitamin regimen.

minus_25 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2007, 06:36:35 pm »

Selenium and HIV Q & A - http://qa.hopkins-aids.org/forum/view_question.html?section_id=61&id=142678&category_id=0

AustinWesley · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2007, 07:18:58 pm »

Hey Minus,

I don't think any of us are promoting Selinium as an alternative to HAART. That link is someone asking that question. No one would say that.

For those who want to read the details and make up their own decision here is the study and it's results:

Access this story and related links online: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=42407

The dietary supplement selenium can reduce HIV viral loads and
increase CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-positive people, according to
a study published in the Jan. 22 issue of the Archives of
Internal Medicine, the Los Angeles Times reports (Chong, Los
Angeles Times, 1/23). Selenium is a mineral found in many foods
and sold as a supplement for less than $10 per one-month supply.
It helps regulate the thyroid and the immune system and creates
antioxidants that protect the body from molecules that can
damage cells, the Miami Herald reports. Previous studies have
found that HIV-positive people with low selenium levels are at
an increased risk of a wide range of health conditions
(Goldstein, Miami Herald, 1/23). For the study, Barry Hurwitz, a
professor of psychology and medicine at the University of Miami,
and colleagues randomly assigned 262 HIV-positive adults with
normal selenium levels to take either a placebo pill or a 200
microgram capsule of high-selenium yeast for nine months,
Reuters Health reports (Gale, Reuters Health, 1/22). Only 174 of
the participants completed the nine-month follow-up period
(Hurwitz et al., Archives of Internal Medicine, 1/22). According
to the Times, about two-thirds of the participants were taking
antiretroviral drugs and about one-third of the participants
were not. The study, which was funded by NIH, found that for the
50 participants who regularly took the selenium pills, HIV viral
loads decreased an average of 10,000 viral particles per
milliliter of blood, or by 12%, after nine months. The
researchers also found an average CD4 increase of 30 cells per
microliter of blood among the participants who regularly took
selenium. According to Hurwitz, selenium had a positive effect
among participants on antiretrovirals regardless of which drugs
the participants were taking. Among the 83 participants in the
placebo group, viral loads increased by 10,000 to 20,000 viral
particles per milliliter of blood and CD4 cells decreased by
about 30 cells per microliter in the same time period, the study
found. Forty-one participants were classified as "nonresponders"
because they did not adhere to their selenium schedule or
because of gastrointestinal problems that prevented them from
absorbing the mineral, the Times reports. This group had the
same results as the placebo group, the study found.

Reaction, Next Steps

"What [selenium] appears to do is make [HIV] more docile, less
virulent and less likely to replicate," Hurwitz said (Los
Angeles Times, 1/23). He added that selenium is "a simple,
inexpensive and safe adjunct therapy" (Miami Herald, 1/23).
Jeffrey Blumberg, a nutrition professor at Tufts University,
said that because selenium appears to be beneficial and to have
no negative side effects, it can be used in conjunction with
traditional therapies. Jeffrey Lennox, principle investigator
for Emory University's HIV Clinical Trials Unit, said selenium's
effect appears to be smaller than a variation that can be seen
in some people living with HIV/AIDS from week to week. The
supplement likely does not have wide scale implications in the
U.S. because of the availability of therapies that are aimed at
reducing viral loads to undetectable levels, according to
Lennox. He added, "The conclusions are intriguing, but they
don't change current medical practice. In people not receiving
optimum therapy, selenium might be a benefit." According to the
Times, the researchers are analyzing data on selenium's effects
beyond nine months, and Hurwitz said the effects likely are long
lasting (Los Angeles Times, 1/23). The study is available
online.

bimazek · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:36:57 pm »

i am TAKING

READ THIS TO FIND OUT WHY... BRAND NEW DISCOVERY OF PROTEIN...

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=8475.0

SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ...

SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ... SELENIUM ...

SELENIUM ...

J.R.E. · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2007, 07:52:11 am »

From the John Hopkins Site the following :

http://qa.hopkins-aids.org/forum/view_question.html?section_id=61&id=142678&category_id=0

Ray

ajm_ldn · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2007, 10:06:02 am »

Another thank you to Bimazek. I checked my vitamins and noticed (to my surprise) only 50mg of selenium per daily dose. English grown food is low in selenium so I've now got special selenium tablets to ensure I get my RDA!

dyingYOUNG19 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 08, 2007, 07:06:02 am »

i have Selenium too in my Vitamins...

i think it's working!

northernguy · « **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2007, 01:49:43 am »

I went out and got my 1st bottle. We'll see if it works. Is this new Iranian med delivered at the tip of a warhead, in suppository form

Zanarkand · « **Reply #28 on:** March 03, 2007, 09:26:27 am »

Selenium is a good micro-nutrient
I definitely noticed a difference when I started eating foods high in Selenium.
I used to take the suppliments but they seemed to be overkill on the RDA scale.
I used to suffer insomnia because of it. Today though I get it all fresh.
On a normal day I normally eat an egg, spinach and a few nuts... even in one dish
More than enough selenium for one day.
I recon you can't go wrong with it.

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Author Topic: Selenium (Read 17804 times)