Flu mutations and lack of selenium

[undergroundpanther]

(Embargoed) CHAPEL HILL -- Influenza virus that has been passed through mice deficient in the trace nutrient selenium The flu virus mutates and emerges from the mice more virulent than before, a new study shows.
While the research was limited to rodents, it's likely that something similar happens in humans deficient in selenium and, possibly, in other nutrients, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists say. That's because humans and mice are so similar biologically, and the mice were infected with a human influenza virus.
In April, the scientists reported discovering that inadequate intake of selenium boosts damage caused by influenza viruses.

"We believe our latest findings are both important and potentially disturbing because they suggest nutritional deficiencies can promote epidemics in a way not appreciated before," Beck said. "Here we looked at flu virus because it hospitalizes more than 100,000 people each year in the United States alone. But what we found conceivably could be true for any RNA virus -- cold virus, AIDS virus and Ebola virus."

ttp://news.bio-medicine.org/biology-news-2/Scary-study-3A-Selenium-deficiency-causes-flu-virus-to-mutate-into-more-dangerous-forms-9705-1/

Soybeans, a major food crop /animal feed it depletes the soil of SELENIUM!Agribizness strikes again.

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17348885

So does acid rain(clean coal?NOT)
Doctors assume that we get enough selenium through plant foods. Unfortunately, in many places in America and the rest of the world, including China and Russia, the soil is badly depleted of its selenium content because of acid rain, which can dramatically change the chemical composition of the soil. As a result, soil acidification alters of the ability of the soil to bind with vital elements such as selenium for assimilation into edible plants.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/nov2006_report_selenium_01.htm


Selenium Deficiency is a Widespread Problem 17 Jun 2008
Leading selenium specialists meeting in Prague this week have concluded that humans and animals alike across Europe typically fall short of the optimal dietary intake of the nutrient selenium.
the experts emphasised the detrimental effect that this deficiency can have on health. We hear that selenium is important - that is not enough - it is essential said Professor Gerhard Schrauzer of the University of California, San Diego, USA.

http://www.pigprogress.net/news/selenium-deficiency-is-a-widespread-problem-id1670.html


http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn852-feeding-a-fever.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_11_161/ai_84307104/
http://www.ourhealthcoop.com/newsletter/news_cold&flu.htm

[midnight]

1. I will have to look into this nutruitional element that is a factor

in this disease process. Thanks for the links.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Guess I need to restock on Scooby-Doo vitamins

[Avalux]

3. Very interesting.

Thanks for providing the links. :hi:

[goforit]

4. If the soybean crop is responsible for taking out Se, Does it mean Soybean have alot of Se??

[MikeE]

5. Seaweed salad is a great source of the nutrient

Yumm! I love it with a nice bowl of miso soup and maybe an avacado roll

[DavidDvorkin]

6. Nuts!

Good source of selenium, especially walnuts and Brazil nuts.

[TuxedoKat]

7. Very interesting

Thanks for sharing that -- going to check out your links.