Several clinical trials have examined whether selenium supplementation reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. In one randomized, placebo-controlled study, for example, 474 healthy adults age 60 to 74 years with a mean baseline plasma selenium concentration of 9.12 mcg/dL were supplemented with 100, 200, or 300 mcg selenium per day or placebo for 6 months [ 48]. The supplements lowered levels of total plasma cholesterol and non–high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) plasma cholesterol (total cholesterol levels minus HDL levels) compared with the placebo group, whereas the 300 mcg/day dose significantly increased HDL levels. Other trials have provided evidence that selenium supplementation (200 mcg/day) or supplementation with a multivitamin/mineral pill containing selenium (100 mcg/day) does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or cardiac death [ 49-51]. A review of trials of selenium-only supplementation for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease found no statistically significant effects of selenium on fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events [ 52]. Almost all of the subjects in these clinical trials were well-nourished male adults in the United States. Bleys J, Navas-Acien A, Laclaustra M, Pastor-Barriuso R, Menke A, Ordovas J, et al. Serum selenium and peripheral arterial disease: results from the national health and nutrition examination survey, 2003-2004. Am J Epidemiol 2009;169:996-1003. [ PubMed abstract] Pasta is an easy way to include selenium in most diets. One cup of cooked pasta has 36 micrograms, while whole-grain varieties have as much as 50 micrograms. Lippman SM, Klein EA, Goodman PJ, Lucia MS, Thompson IM, Ford LG, et al. The effect of selenium and vitamin E on risk of prostate cancer and other cancers: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA 2009;301:39-51.

Intake recommendations for selenium and other nutrients are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (formerly National Academy of Sciences) [ 6]. DRI is the general term for a set of reference values used for planning and assessing nutrient intakes of healthy people. These values, which vary by age and sex, include the following:Selenium has attracted attention because of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by things like aging, lifestyle choices, and environmental conditions like pollution. O ver time, this cell damage – called oxidative stress – is linked to cancer, heart disease, and the decline of mental skills. This has been attributed to selenium’s ability to reduce DNA damage and oxidative stress, boost your immune system, and destroy cancer cells ( 8). Randomized, controlled trials of selenium supplementation in patients with thyroid disease have had varied results. In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 100, 200, or 300 mcg/day selenium for 6 months in 368 healthy adults age 60 to 74 years had no effect on thyroid function, even though plasma selenium levels increased significantly [ 62]. Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the effects of 200 mcg/day selenium (as sodium selenite), 1,200 mg/day pentoxifylline (an antiinflammatory agent), or placebo for 6 months in 159 patients with mild Graves’ orbitopathy [ 63]. Compared with patients treated with placebo, those treated with selenium but not pentoxifylline reported a higher quality of life. Furthermore, ophthalmic outcomes improved in 61% of patients in the selenium group compared with 36% of those in the placebo group, and only 7% of the selenium group had mild progression of the disease, compared with 26% of those in the placebo group.

However, things like smoking, alcohol use, and stress can cause an excess of free radicals. This leads to oxidative stress, which damages healthy cells ( 1). Rumah Sakit Royal Progress memiliki luas tanah sebesar 13.200 m2 dan gedung 9 lantai. Rumah sakit ini dilengkapi dengan berbagai fasilitas medis yang modern dan canggih, antara lain Instalasi Gawat Darurat (IGD) 24 jam, Rawat Inap, Rawat Jalan, Pelayanan Diagnostik dan Perawatan Intensif, Pelayanan Home Care, dan Pelayanan Telemedicine.They often get a bad rap, but free radicals are essential for your health. They perform important functions, including protecting your body from disease. For monitoring of therapy the selenium concentration in whole blood or serum should be determined. In long term parenteral nutrition, control of blood levels should be performed at 6-12 months intervals, except if clinical symptoms of a deficiency are suspected.