SUPPLEMENTATION
Selenium Dietary Supplements may raise Risk of Diabetes
By Mark Isaac Thyss
Garden of Healing®
Are you one of the many people taking selenium supplements to stay healthy? Recent research reported by the Annals of Internal Medicine paints a different story.
While some research suggests that selenium supplements can improve the way the body handles sugar and might prevent some of the complications of diabetes, other data suggest that supplementation with selenium has no effect on diabetes or health.
People who took a 200-micro gram daily dose of the mineral for 7 years had a 50 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with placebo, the study found.
Selenium is a mineral that is required in very low doses for the body to function normally.
Selenium is an antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent damage to cells caused by oxygen. Selenium is involved in many biological functions, including protection against oxidative stress, immune function, and thyroid function.
Although most people get enough selenium in their diet, selenium is included in many multivitamins and is sold as a supplement itself.
Before it was found to be an essential nutrient, selenium was considered highly toxic to animals and humans. Now, more than 1% of the U.S. population take selenium supplements.
Additionally, more than 35% take multivitamin and multimineral supplements that often contain selenium.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for selenium is set at 400 µg/d to avoid visible symptoms of selenium toxicity in sensitive persons. In the U.S., the recommended dietary allowance for adults is a minimum of 55 micrograms. Most multivitamins include 33 to 200 micrograms of selenium.
In short, this research suggests that taking selenium supplements on top of an adequate dietary intake may increase your risk for diabetes.
This information is not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about selenium, and/or need advice about your health, contact your physician.
© 1996-2009 Mark Isaac Thyss/Garden of Healing®. All rights reserved.
For more articles about natural health and healing, please visit:
http://www.thegardenofhealing.com/
Selenium Dietary Supplements may raise Risk of Diabetes
By Mark Isaac Thyss
Garden of Healing®
Are you one of the many people taking selenium supplements to stay healthy? Recent research reported by the Annals of Internal Medicine paints a different story.
While some research suggests that selenium supplements can improve the way the body handles sugar and might prevent some of the complications of diabetes, other data suggest that supplementation with selenium has no effect on diabetes or health.
People who took a 200-micro gram daily dose of the mineral for 7 years had a 50 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with placebo, the study found.
Selenium is a mineral that is required in very low doses for the body to function normally.
Selenium is an antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent damage to cells caused by oxygen. Selenium is involved in many biological functions, including protection against oxidative stress, immune function, and thyroid function.
Although most people get enough selenium in their diet, selenium is included in many multivitamins and is sold as a supplement itself.
Before it was found to be an essential nutrient, selenium was considered highly toxic to animals and humans. Now, more than 1% of the U.S. population take selenium supplements.
Additionally, more than 35% take multivitamin and multimineral supplements that often contain selenium.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for selenium is set at 400 µg/d to avoid visible symptoms of selenium toxicity in sensitive persons. In the U.S., the recommended dietary allowance for adults is a minimum of 55 micrograms. Most multivitamins include 33 to 200 micrograms of selenium.
In short, this research suggests that taking selenium supplements on top of an adequate dietary intake may increase your risk for diabetes.
This information is not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about selenium, and/or need advice about your health, contact your physician.
© 1996-2009 Mark Isaac Thyss/Garden of Healing®. All rights reserved.
For more articles about natural health and healing, please visit:
http://www.thegardenofhealing.com/
