Friday, January 7, 2011

intraMIN Minerals Explained: Selenium

intraMIN is a potent liquid multimineral supplement.

Because of advancing scientific technologies that enable us to study several trace minerals, interest in selenium and its cancer-fighting properties has burgeoned. Animal research on the effects of selenium show promise about its ability to protect from cancer. intraMIN contains selenium.

According to Dr. P.D. Whanger, a Professor of Agricultural Chemistry at Oregon State university, various studies have shown that selenium, especially when taken from 200 to 400 micrograms per day were shown to inhibit lung, colorectal, or prostate cancers. This study made by L.C. Clark et.al. concluded that 200 micrograms of selenium is just as effective as 400 micrograms. Another Finnish 6-year longitudinal study investigated 8,100 persons and found out that lower selenium levels increased the risk of developing cancers. Low levels of vitamin A and E also suggest cancer risk. In September 2010, a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, a journal by the American Association for Cancer Research, found that increased selenium intake decreases the risk of developing bladder cancer.

Selenium must be taken in very small amounts with vitamin E to protect the body cell membranes from deteriorating. Adequate selenium intake is beneficial but one must be careful as some selenium compounds if taken in large amounts might cause cancer instead of prevent it. Selenium overdosage may result to hair loss, fatigue, weak fingernails, and low immunity.

One way you can have proper amounts of selenium is to eat foods grown in a wide range of areas in the United States. Selenium can be found in plant sources that are planted in selenium-rich soil. However, because levels of selenium in soil vary across the United States, one cannot be sure how much selenium can be taken through food sources. Areas in the Rocky Mountain states have the highest selenium soil content, while soils from the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest, the Northeast, and along the Atlantic Ocean coastlines.

If you're concerned about your selenium levels, trace mineral supplements can answer this need. Organic trace minerals found in intraMIN are the most effective as inorganic sources are found to be poor sources of selenium.