The Role of Selenium in Nutrition

The Role of Selenium in Nutrition reviews the most pertinent scientific literature dealing with the basic aspects of the present understanding of the roles of selenium (Se) in nutrition and health. The book begins with a general discussion of Se, covering its various forms, chemistry and physical properties, and techniques for Se analysis. This is followed by separate chapters on the environmental aspects of Se, including its presence in mineral deposits, soils, water, air, and uptake by plants; Se contents of human foods and animal feedstuffs; biological utilization of dietary Se; and absorption, excretion, metabolism, and tissue concentrations of Se. Subsequent chapters deal with the biochemical functions of Se; Se-related diseases of animals and livestock; the role of Se in human health and in support of normal immune function and disease resistance; and the relationship of Se and cancer. The final chapter reviews the evidence concerning the toxicity of Se compounds and sets this in perspective with current knowledge of the roles of Se in nutrition and health, and of the normal exposures of animals and humans to Se compounds.

PrefaceAcknowledgments1. Chemical Aspects of Selenium I. Forms of Selenium II. Chemistry of Selenium III. Analysis of Selenium References2. Selenium in the Environment I. Selenium in Mineral Deposits II. Selenium in Soils III. Selenium in Water and Air IV. Uptake of Selenium by Plants V. Geo-Botanical Mapping of Areas of Selenium Deficiency and Excess References3. Selenium in Foods and Feeds I. Selenium in Foods II. Sources of Variation in the Selenium Contents of Foods and Feeds III. Selenium in Human Diets IV. Selenium in Feedstuffs for Animals References4. The Biological Availability of Selenium in Foods and Feeds I. Defining Selenium Bioavailability II. Approaches to the Estimation of Selenium Bioavailability III. Selenium Bioavailability Estimated by the Disease Preventative Approach IV. Selenium Bioavailability Estimated by the Tissue Residue Level Approach V. Selenium Bioavailability Estimated by the Functional Assay Approach VI. Comparison of the Different Approaches to the Estimation of Selenium Bioavailability VII. Factors Affecting the Bioavailability of Dietary Selenium VIII. Summary of Factors Affecting the Bioavailability of Selenium References5. Absorption, Excretion, and Metabolism of Selenium I. Absorption and Transfer II. Excretion of Selenium III. Metabolism of Selenium IV. Tissue Concentrations of Selenium References6. Biochemical Functions of Selenium I. Physical Properties of Selenium-Dependent Glutathione Peroxidase II. Mechanism of Selenium-Dependent Glutathione Peroxidase III. Biological Function of Selenium-Dependent Glutathione Peroxidase IV. Effects of Drugs on Selenium-Dependent Glutathione Peroxidase V. Other Functions of Selenium VI. Interrelationships of Selenium and Other Nutrients VII. Interrelationships of Selenium and Other Elements References7. Selenium Deficiency Diseases of Animals I. Selenium Deficiency Diseases of Laboratory and Domestic Animals II. Selenium Deficiency Diseases of Livestock III. Dietary Requirements of Selenium for Laboratory and Livestock Species References8. Selenium in Human Nutrition and Health I. The Nutritional Selenium Status of Human Populations II. Selenium Status in Different Life Cycle Phases III. Diseases Associated with Nutritional Deficiencies of Selenium IV. Selenium Status of Patients with Other Nonmalignant Diseases V. Other Factors Affecting Selenium Status VI. Dietary Requirements for Selenium References9. Selenium in Immunity and Infection I. Effects of Selenium on - Cell-Dependent Immune Functions II. Effects of Selenium on - Cell-Mediated Immune Functions III. Effects of Selenium on the Functions of Phagocytic Cells IV. Effects of Selenium on Infection References10. Selenium and Cancer I. Effects of Selenium on Carcinogenesis in Experimental Animal Models II. Selenium and Cancer in Humans References11. Effects of Selenium Excesses I. Early Experiences with Selenium Toxicities II. Selenium Toxicity in Animals III. Selenium Toxicity in Humans IV. Treatment of Selenium Toxicity V. Metabolic Bases of Selenium Toxicity VI. Factors Affecting Selenium Toxicity VII. Safe Levels of Selenium ReferencesIndex