Could Dr. Jerry Browns use of Selenium as part of his treatment protocol for Ebola patients be extended to include using the element as a supplement to strengthen the immune system of healthy populations in West Africa and other parts of the world? Some researchers believe so. Read on: The Selenium-Ebola Link The third piece of the Ebola-selenium puzzle comes from a recent paper Taylor has submitted for publication. In it, he draws on his earlier work and that of Beck and Levander to build a compelling argument that Ebola also contains genes dependent on selenium. Like HIV, when selenium levels in Ebola-infected cells drop, or are low to begin with, the virus reproduces and escapes in search of cells with more selenium-spreading the infection throughout the body. The difference is that the genes in the Zaire strain of Ebola genes appear to need 10 times more selenium than does HIV, and Ebolas greater dependence on selenium may partly account for the speed with which it kills. Seventy-five percent of the people infected with Ebola die within three weeks. Again, compounding the infection, normal immune defenses against to the virus would be handicapped if the host-an animal or person-were deficient in selenium. This raises the possibility that selenium deficiency in host populations may actually foster viral replication, possibly triggering outbreaks and perhaps even facilitating the emergence of more virulent viral strains, explained Taylor. Its all very speculative, he admits. But the widespread soil deficiency of selenium in Zaire, documented by a number of researchers, would set the stage for vital mutation and a highly susceptible population, much the way it does in China. But theres still another aspect, Taylor points out. Sulfur dioxide, a byproduct of the burning of fossil fuels, reacts with selenium compounds in the soil, making the mineral more difficult to absorb by plants. It has long been suspected that fossil fuel burning and acid rain may be contributing to a gradual decrease of selenium in the food chain, Taylor said. Thus, the deforestation of jungles and rain forests-exactly what is being done in Zaire and elsewhere-may also contribute to the emergence of new viral diseases. This article originally appeared in the Natural Foods Merchandiser, published by New Hope Communications. The information provided by Jack Challem and The Nutrition Reporterª newsletter is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, consult your physician. Copyright 1994 by Jack Challem, The Nutrition Reporter™ All rights reserved. Used with permission. For subscription information visit The Nutrition Reporter website.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 23:01:24 +0000
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