Selenium was the last of the trace elements
to be established as a required nutrient, in 1957. Up to that
time, selenium was better known for its toxicity, which is well
documented. So, selenium is required at some level and toxic
at some higher level, begging the question—what is the therapeutic
range of selenium intake? Working with nutritional epidemiologists
throughout the country, MURR life scientists have been at the
forefront of the effort to unravel this and related questions
regarding selenium nutrition.
Continuing with this example, epidemiological trials with
thousands of subjects suggest that a significant fraction of
the US population may be marginally selenium-deficient, leading
to an increased risk of certain cancers. Through the meticulous
work of measuring selenium in biologic monitors such as fingernails
and toenails, we have found these increased risks are more frequently
encountered in subjects having a selenium status of 0.75 ppm
(parts per million) or less as measured using the toenail biologic
monitor.
(Click here to see chart enlarged.)
At the MURR Center, we have begun to measure selenium status
in Missouri's citizens, starting with an eight-county region
in Central Missouri. . .
|
University of Missouri-Columbia
