Selenium is a trace mineral required for good health. We should not be complacent about the small amount of this essential nutrient needed because not having enough of it has serious consequences.
Selenium is required for antioxidant protection, DNA repair, thyroid hormone activation, immune system enhancement, production of prostaglandins, muscle function and protection against cancer.
What Is Low Stomach Acid Production?Low stomach acid production is a common disorder in celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis that is characterized by lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid needed 1) to properly digest food, which results in malnutrition and subsequent nutritional deficiencies, and 2) to destroy swallowed bacteria and other microbes, which may allow infections to develop.
It is also common in the general population, as well, affecting 50% of people age 60 years and about 80% by age 85 years. Nevertheless, low stomach acid is not generally looked for as a cause of acute and chronic disorders that rob health with far-reaching effects.
Understanding Stomach Acid Production and Function
The stomach digests incoming food into a liquid state, thereby releasing nutrients so they can be absorbed by the small intestine. Powerful stomach muscles churn food and mix it with gastric juice, dissolving and breaking it down.
Gastric juice is produced by gastric glands located in the stomach lining. These numerous, microscopic glands produce about 3 liters of juice a day. Gastric juice is composed of a high concentration of
What Is Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection? Helicobacter pylori infection is a potentially deadly stomach disease characterized by chronic superficial inflammation and ulcerations in 100% of infected patients. This infection disrupts normal defense and repair…
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? I rritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a motility disorder without anatomic cause involving the entire gastrointestinal tract that is characterized by these four features: 1) Abdominal pain usually relieved by…
What Is Loss of Vitality?Loss of vitality is a state of diminished power to live or go on living, interfering with normal functioning and survival.
As weakness and fatigue worsen, the affected person increasingly loses interest in surroundings, activites, and the ability to care for self.
Q: Does loss of vitality affect only older individuals?
A: No. Loss of vitality can affect all ages.
A disorder of muscle tissue resulting from multiple nutritional deficiencies; also autoimmune thyroiditis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and dermatomyositis. Click for full description.
Impaired status of muscle function mainly resulting from nutritional deficiencies including any of these: protein, magnesium, thiamin (B1), niacin (B3), potassium, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamin D, or due to chronic fatigue syndrome or hypoglycemia, and if…
A malignant growth of cells in the pharynx (throat) that is a major complication of celiac disease, developing as a consequence of gluten exposure and deficiencies of selenium, vitamin E and possibly, omega-3 fatty acids.…
Inability to either produce sperm or to produce viable sperm or mobile sperm resulting in prohibiting fertilization of the female ovum. Malnutrition is a major cause. Click for full description.