Essentiality of selenium in the human body:: relationship with different diseases

In the present review different aspects related to the essential element selenium in the human organism are considered. A large number of human studies have been performed in order to improve knowledge on the influence of this element in the origin and development of several degenerative diseases. Selenium deficiencies among human beings as well as animals are being recognized worldwide to be related to a number of pathologies. This element has also the special characteristic that the range between its essential and toxic character is very close, and consequently daily dietary intake should be appropriately monitored in individuals. Nevertheless, nowadays there is still a lot of controversy about the optimum dietary level of this element in order to cure or to prevent the appearance of diseases such as cirrhosis, cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular pathologies. Results obtained in several animal and epidemiological studies have indicated that Se could constitute a dietary factor with protective action against several degenerative diseases. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.