Signifies a higher than normal risk of developing cancer.

Malformations present in the infant at birth.

A small intestinal disorder characterized by excessively rapid movement of intestinal contents through the small intestine with excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes that leads rapidly to a life threatening hypokalemia (low potassium blood level).

What Is Selenium?

[dropcap]S elenium is a mineral that is required by the body  in trace amounts for a healthy immune system, normal thyroid function, and antioxidant protection.

Selenium is absolutely required in the production of at least 30 selenoproteins in the body. First, selenium is joined to the amino acids cysteine as selenocysteine and to methionine as selenomethionine before being used as components for selenoproteins. Many selenoproteins are important antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase.

Q: How does glutathione peroxidase work?

A: Glutathione peroxidase activity helps the recycling of vitamins C and E in optimizing the performance of the antioxidant system. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

In the immune system, selenium stimulates immune properties of lymphocytes (white blood cells) by contributing to higher natural killer lymphocyte activity. Natural killer lymphocytes have the ability to destroy cancer cells and bacterial and viral agents.

Other selenoproteins help protect the thyroid gland from anti-oxidants and regulate thyroid function. Specifically, selenium plays an integral role in thyroid gland metabolism.¹ Functions are more fully described below.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, approximately 30 percent of tissue selenium is contained in the liver, 15 percent in kidney, 30 percent in muscle, and 10 percent in blood plasma.

What Is Selenium Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Stazi AV, Trinti B. Selenium status and over-expression of interleukin-15 in celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2010;46(4):389-99.DOI: 10.4415/ANN_10_04_06. [↩]

Auto-antibodies that are produced against endomysium, a connective tissue in muscles, by persons who have inherited the genes for celiac disease, an auto-immune disorder triggered by ingestion of gluten in the diet.

Abnormal antibodies found in blood analysis that indicate the presence of autoimmune diseases.

A digestive disorder characterized by the inability to properly digest and absorb carbohydrates from food.

A chronic intestinal motility disorder (movement) characterized by alteration in stool formation, consistency, and evacuation.

An intestinal motility disorder characterized by alteration in stool formation that ranges from loose to watery and frequent quantity.

What Is Zinc?

[dropcap]Z inc is an essential trace mineral that is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism, being essential for activation of almost 200 enzymes that have vital roles in the body.

Q: What happens when enzymes do not get activated?

A: When enzymes do not get activated, they cannot perform their necessary functions which, in turn, damages health.

Zinc promotes healthy skin, hair, immunity, fertility, and growth.

A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system.¹ Functions are more fully described below.

What Is Zinc Deficiency in Celiac Disease?

1. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/ [↩]