The
deficit of
selenium in alimentation and the risk of cardiovascular diseases
A
correlation between the deficit of
selenium in alimentation and the risk of cardiovascular diseases was
established on the basis of six European studies (four carried out in
Finland, one in Norway, and one in Holland ). The undertaking of these
studies in Northern European countries is not a result of hazardous
fate, but of the fact that the soil in these countries is very poor in
selenium (particularly in Finland), and there is also a very high
incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The studies were carried out for
a period of time of 5 – 7 years, and during this period the
new
cases of cardiovascular diseases and the mortality rate from these
diseases were thoroughly monitored. The correlation between the
decrease of the levels of selenium in blood and the increased
cardiovascular incidence is significant in three of the studies (even
though two of them imply minor methodology shortcomings). The third
study showed that although the selenium quantity in the soil was
relatively high, the selenium levels in blood were subnormal.
O.
Oster (Germany) pointed out and summed up the clinical incidence of the
selenium deficit upon the cardiovascular diseases, that these studies
refer to, in the following way:
- In the congestive
cardiomiopathies
and coronaropathies and acute myocardium infarctions, the seric
selenium concentrations were lower as compared to those of the healthy
groups considered as witnesses. During the myocardium infarction, the
significant drop in the selenium percentage did not reflect the gravity
of the coronaropathy, while the erythrocyte selenium contents is a
faithful reflection of the risk of the myocardium infarction.
-
On the
whole, selenium has protective effects against the cardiovascular
diseases. This can be explained by the high contents of selenium
protectors in the myocardium and by the role of glutathione in the
platelet hemostasis.
- Keshan disease, described by
the Chinese, is
closely related to the selenium input. This disease, first observed in
the Keshan area, can have several clinical forms, as described in the
documents related to the Chinese – Japanese war;
- it
can act as a super – acute infection characterized by violent
uncontrollable vomiting, that leads to a sudden death
- a
chronic form associates the myocardium dilatation with cardiac
decompensation
- a
subacute form that manifests itself only after it has been latent for a
certain while, associated with cardiogenic shock and progressive
cardiac decompensation.
- In its initial
stage, the Keshan disease
causes a myocardium arrest with rapid evolution. The cardiac muscle
compensates, until both ventricles are simultaneously affected. The
cardiogenic shock occurs, and it is followed by a sudden drop in
arterial pressure. An endothelial necrosis develops, while the skeletal
muscles, the digestive tract, the neurons, the lungs and the endocrine
glands are affected. It is easy to explain all these diffuse
pathological changes, as they all have a common denominator: the excess
of free radicals caused by the lack of selenium.
-
The Kershan disease is frequently encountered in pregnant women and
babies, who need high doses of selenium.
- Following
a high number of clinical and epidemiological observations, it can be
stated that the mineral content of the soil on which plants grow and
animals feed and the quality of alimentary products obtained from their
sacrifice are closely related
- Thus, it can be
explained why sudden
death is rare in the coastal villages of Keshan , and sudden death is
very frequent in the highlands, where the soil is prone to a high
erosion process that impairs its content in selenium. The inhabitants
of these highlands mostly eat corn, and very little meat, eggs and fish.
-
The
Chinese authorities have decided, in the year 1979, after prolonged
investigations, to supplement the diet of these populations
with
sodium selenite. Ten million victims of the Keshan disease were saved
this way, provided they continue to take their selenium supplements.
Conclusions
It
is unfortunately true that, in Romania, the importance of selenium to
the human organism is still little known. Even if, theoretically, the
effects of the deficit / excess of selenium on human health can be
inferred, the Romanian experience cannot yet supply experiments and
practical proof regarding the effect of selenium. Even so, one thing is
clear: selenium is indispensable to life. Selenium intake in the human
body is based on aliments. Romania currently produces alimentary
concentrated premixes containing selenium.
December
2, 2009
