Sodium selenite is a chemical form of selenium, which is a mineral that naturally exists in the crust of the earth. This supplement is an inorganic combination of selenium, oxygen, and sodium. Many farmers use sodium selenite to boost selenium levels in sheep, cattle, pigs, and horses.
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Uses
- Selenium is used for the treatment of premature aging, cardiac-vascular disease, sexual dysfunction, and menopausal problems.
- Skin disorders are also treated with Sodium Selenite – Selenium which is a powerful chemo- preventative agent. This means that it might fight some cancers.
- According to the American Medical Association journal, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers were reduced by about 50% in humans over a ten year time frame. There are other important benefits for those taking Selenium (sodium selenite).
Benefits
- Liquid and tablet supplements containing sodium selenite are used to elevate selenium in the body. An average adult dosage is about 200 micrograms per day. Beyond nutrition, this supplement is used as medical therapy. For example, doctors treating patients who have prostate cancer sometimes prescribe sodium selenite while also using traditional treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy and hormones.
- There are two reasons that sodium selenite can help prostate cancer go into remission. First, when cancer cells are exposed to sodium selenite, they typically begin to die. Secondly, the chemical compound prevents tumors from expanding. This arrest in tumor growth happens because sodium selenite keeps the cancer cells from receiving signals from androgen receptors. Such signals are necessary for malignant tumors to flourish.
Cautions
- Critics who warn of the possible toxic impact of taking too much chemical selenium often recommend that humans try to acquire sodium from an organic diet. Foods grown in soil that is rich in selenium usually contain significant amounts of selenium. Meat from animals that have fed on foods grown in selenium-rich soil will also have beneficial levels of selenium.
- Organic sources of selenium can include whole grains, eggs, and organ meats such as liver and kidneys. Selenium levels are depleted in foods that have been refined or cooked over high and dry heat, however.
- Selenium is toxic in high concentrations. The chronic toxic dose for human beings is about 2.4 to 3 milligrams of selenium per day.
Interactions
None interactions are recorded.
Other names
n/a
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_selenite#Safety
WiseGeek, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sodium-selenite.htm
Ezinearticles, http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Health-Benefits-of-Sodium-Selenite&id=387571