• Does Late-Adolescent Blood Pressure Predict Early Mortality?
• How to Treat Vertigo with Brandt-Daroff Exercises
• Over-the-Counter PPIs May Not Pose Fracture Risk
• FDA Updates U.S. Public on Nuclear Threat
• KV and Makena Under Fire
• Smoking Cessation Before Surgery Doesn't Promote Postoperative Complications
• Brief Course of Androgen Deprivation Enhances Survival in Prostate Cancer
• Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis: Long Term Follow-Up
• Is It Time to Smell the Coffee?
• Most ADHD Is Complex
• Selenium Seen as Key Anti-Aging Ally
• Seafood scores high for Selenium
BMJ 2011 Feb 22; 342:d643
Does Late-Adolescent Blood Pressure Predict Early Mortality?
Perhaps we are setting the age that we will start patients on HCG weight loss too high. This study indicates that younger patients may benefit long term from the same benefits of HCG weight loss as older patients. The association was particularly strong for diastolic BP.
In a nationwide cohort study, Swedish investigators assessed whether systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during late adolescence are associated with early mortality.
Participants were 1.2 million young Swedish men (mean age, 18) who underwent physical examinations at military conscription between 1969 and 1995. During median follow-up of 24 years, 29,000 men (2.4%) died. Multivariate regression models showed a relation between SBP and total mortality that was U-shaped — risk was lowest at an SBP of about 130 mm Hg and highest at the extremes of SBP. The U-shaped pattern was explained by rising noncardiovascular mortality at lower SBP and rising cardiovascular mortality at higher SBP, particularly at >120 mm Hg. Total mortality and noncardiovascular mortality rose with increasing DBP, particularly at >90 mm Hg, and cardiovascular mortality rose with increasing DBP, particularly at >70 mm Hg.
Comment: In this study, SBP greater than or equal to 130 mm Hg and DBP greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg were associated with elevated long-term early mortality among Swedish male adolescents. Barring evidence to the contrary, these results can be presumed to apply to other populations. Public health efforts (e.g., diet, exercise, weight control) should be aimed at preventing hypertension, and clinicians should treat hypertension in older adolescents. As for the association between lower SBP and higher noncardiovascular mortality, the authors speculate on several mechanisms, none of which is proven.
— Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP Published in Journal Watch General Medicine March 22, 2011
Citation(s): Sundström J et al. Association of blood pressure in late adolescence with subsequent mortality: Cohort study of Swedish male conscripts. BMJ 2011 Feb 22; 342:d643. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d643)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21343202?dopt=Abstract
Top of Page
How to Treat Vertigo with Brandt-Daroff Exercises
I have had many requests for these exercises and this article. This is a drug-free treatment that may benefit dizziness, vertigo, nausea and possibly Meniere’s Syndrome.
Vertigo is a disorder of the middle ear, caused by small crystals that have colonized in a sensitive part of the inner ear. These crystals become displaced, causing the dizziness of vertigo. Usually a physician who specializes in dizziness and balance disorders will perform The Epley or Semont maneuver to help settle the displaced crystals. The Semont maneuver is a calculated and rapid moving exercise performed only by a doctor in the safety of a doctor's office. Brandt-Daroff exercises are similar to the Epley maneuver, but they can be done at home. These exercises can benefit anyone with dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, lightheadedness or faintness. They are safe and easy to perform.
Instructions:
- Sit on the edge of the bed. You can also do this exercise on the floor or any flat surface.
- Turn your head left, at a 45-degree angle, so that your chin is halfway to your left shoulder. After you have turned your head to the left, lie down on your right side. While lying down, your head should still remain at a 45-degree angle, which is not against the flat surface, yet not pointing toward the ceiling. Stay in this position for 30 seconds. If you are experiencing vertigo, continue this position for one minute or until vertigo subsides.
- Sit up and into the normal sitting position as when you started. Remain sitting for 30 seconds.
- Turn your head right, at a 45-degree angle. Again, this angle would be turning your head so that your chin halfway meets with your right shoulder. After you have turned your head to the right, lie down on your left side. Remember that your head should remain at a 45-degree angle during this exercise. You should be facing halfway between the flat surface you're lying on and the ceiling. Stay in this position for 30 seconds. If you are experiencing vertigo, continue this position for one minute or until vertigo subsides.
- Return again to the sitting position on the edge of your bed. Stay sitting for 30 seconds. This exercise completes one set. Complete five repetitions in the morning, five repetitions at noon and five repetitions in the evening.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2303034_treat-vertigo-brandt_daroff-exercises.html
Top of Page
Over-the-Counter PPIs May Not Pose Fracture Risk
Over-the-Counter PPIs May Not Pose Fracture Risk
The FDA has determined that, contrary to a previous warning, the short-term use of over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) will not likely pose an increased risk for hip, spine, and wrist fractures.
The agency announced in May 2010 that all PPI labels were to be revised to add the fracture risk warning. The agency says it has since reviewed safety data that shows that patients most at risk used prescription PPIs (which are a higher dose than the OTC products). Additionally, the course of treatment for prescription PPIs is much longer (1 year or more) than the one for the OTC versions (14 days up to three times yearly).
Top of Page
FDA Updates U.S. Public on Nuclear Threat
U.S. residents do not need to take potassium iodide (KI) as a preventive measure because there is currently "no public health threat" of radiation exposure, the FDA says on its website. The recent radiation leak from a nuclear power plant in Japan has led to public concern about radiation exposure in the U.S., along with increased demand for KI products.
The three FDA-approved over-the-counter KI products — Iosat tablets (Anbex, Inc.), ThyroSafe tablets (Recipharm), and ThyroShield solution (Fleming Pharmaceuticals) — are currently out of stock.
FDA warns consumers to beware of buying non-FDA-approved KI and other products that fraudulently claim to prevent or treat effects of radiation exposure. A list of potentially fraudulent claims by retailers is available on the FDA's website.
Meanwhile, a World Health Organization official told Reuters on Monday that detection of radiation in Japan's food supply is "serious." The FDA says that Japan's exports are currently limited, but the agency is screening imported food for radiation.
Top of Page
KV and Makena Under Fire
US Sen. Amy Klobuchar is calling for an investigation into the price gouging and potentially anti-competitive behavior of KV Pharmaceutical. Both Sens. Klobuchar and Sherrod Brown have sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz urging the agency to launch a probe into Makena, stating that the drug has been safely administered at a cost of between $10 and $20 per injection, but since KV was granted orphan status for its version of the drug, the cost rose to $1,500 per injection.
"This is a proven and affordable drug that has been around for over 50 years. It's critical that we make sure this company isn't taking advantage of its orphan-drug determination to monopolize the market and engage in price gouging at the expense of pregnant women," Klobuchar said. Brown said. "Last week, I called on KV Pharmaceutical to immediately reconsider their decision, but to this date the company continues to defend this astronomical price increase. Price-gouging is never acceptable, particularly not when it undermines public health and fleeces taxpayers. Families deserve an investigation."
http://assets.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2011/03/18/klobuchar-wants-kv-drug-investigation.html
KV Pharmaceuticals' March 7 price increase is "unconscionable," Sen. Brown wrote in a USA Today op-ed. They did not invent the drug progesterone, but bought exclusive rights to it and named it Makena. When it received approval from the FDA recently, KV decided to increase the price with the justification that their research found the cost of the drug is still less than that of having a premature baby, Sen. Brown wrote in the op-ed.
Days after the drug company's announcement, Brown sent a letter to KV Pharmaceutical CEO Greg Divis requesting the company reconsider the price hike that could cost $30,000 per pregnancy, but has not received a response.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/healthcare/sen-brown-drug-price-increase-from-10-to-1-500-is-unconscionable--20110321?mrefid=site_search
Top of Page
Am J Med 2011 Feb; 124:144
Smoking Cessation Before Surgery Doesn't Promote Postoperative Complications
In fact, evidence suggests smoking cessation lowers risk for complications.
Smokers are at elevated risk for postoperative complications (e.g., delayed wound healing, pulmonary complications, mortality) compared with nonsmokers. However, whether smoking cessation lowers risk for postoperative complications is unclear. Indeed, many clinicians believe that stopping smoking within a few weeks before surgery raises risk for postoperative pulmonary complications (by removing the cough-promoting effect of smoking). Two recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses clarify the effects of smoking cessation on risk for postoperative complications.
One review included six randomized trials (about 600 participants) in which researchers evaluated smoking cessation interventions (e.g., counseling, nicotine replacement, bupropion) and 15 observational studies (about 13,000 participants) in which current versus past smokers were compared. The studies involved surgical procedures at various body sites. In a meta-analysis of randomized trial data, smoking cessation resulted in a 41% relative reduction in total postoperative complications. Each week of smoking cessation significantly increased treatment effect, and trials of greater than or equal to 4 weeks' duration had greater effect than shorter trials. The observational study data revealed similar findings as well as lower risk for specific postoperative complications (wound healing and pulmonary complications).
The other review included nine studies (about 900 participants) in which researchers compared postoperative complications in patients who stopped smoking less than or equal to 8 weeks before surgery (recent quitters) with patients who continued to smoke. Stopping smoking less than or equal to 8 weeks before surgery was not associated with more or fewer total and pulmonary postoperative complications.
Comment: The results of these studies confirm that smoking cessation before surgery does not raise risk for postoperative complications. Furthermore, stopping smoking before surgery might lower risk for postoperative complications, and the benefit probably grows with longer duration of smoking cessation. Smokers should be encouraged to stop smoking — and be offered appropriate treatment — before surgery.
— Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP Published in Journal Watch General Medicine March 22, 2011
Citation(s): Mills E et al. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med 2011 Feb; 124:144. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.09.013)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21295194?dopt=Abstract
Top of Page
Brief Course of Androgen Deprivation Enhances Survival in Prostate Cancer
A 6-month course of neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy before radiation halved the risk of death from prostate cancer compared with radiation alone, according to a Lancet Oncology study.
Researchers report that 10-year data from the TROG 96.01 trial confirm earlier conclusions based on 5-year data. In the trial, 800 men with locally advanced (but not metastasized) prostate cancer were randomized to radiotherapy alone, or to radiotherapy preceded by a 3- or 6-month course of neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (NADT). Neoadjuvant therapy consisted of monthly doses of goserelin and daily flutamide.
After a median follow-up of 10.6 years, cancer-specific mortality was 22% with radiation alone, 19% with 3-month NADT, and 11% with 6-month NADT. Similarly, all-cause mortality results favored the 6-month regimen.
A commentator says the results show NADT to be "a standard of care" in high-risk prostate cancer.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(11)70063-8/fulltext
Top of Page
Neurology 2011 Mar 22; 76:1066
Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis: Long Term Follow-Up
Progression-free survival was 25% 15 years after transplantation in patients with aggressive disease.
Researchers previously reported promising initial results of autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for multiple sclerosis (MS) in 15 patients followed for a median of 6 months in a single-center, open-label, unblinded case series (Bone Marrow Transplant 1997; 20:631). Now, the researchers report 15-year outcomes of this study (median follow-up, 11 years), expanded to include a total of 35 patients who had recent worsening of disability.
Two patients died (6%) directly after the transplant (1 of aspergillosis, 1 of pulmonary hemorrhage); 2 others died of MS (10 and 14 years posttransplant). Sixteen patients (46%) showed improvement on the Expanded Disability Status Scale after HSCT. Improvements lasted a median of 2 years; seven of the patients who improved initially progressed subsequently beyond their baseline scores. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 25% at 15 years. Median PFS was 5.4 years for those with relapsing–remitting or secondary progressive MS and 1.5 years for those with primary progressive MS. Patients who had active lesions on magnetic resonance imaging had higher PFS rates; age younger than 35 and more recent diagnosis also seemed to confer a PFS benefit.
Comment: This small case series of selected stem cell recipients has many methodological issues, but it provides important long-term data for this emerging and controversial therapy. Importantly, stem cell transplants as performed at this center do not appear to be a cure for MS, as only 25% of patients had stabilized after 15 years. Morbidity and mortality remain ongoing concerns, although post-transplant care has undoubtedly improved. Patient selection is crucial; young patients, those with recent diagnoses, and those with highly inflammatory MS responded more favorably; patients with progressive MS responded less favorably.
Malignant and fulminant inflammatory MS is not common. Disease control is challenging in these patients, who are at risk for severe disability and death from MS. Future studies of HSCT must clarify the optimal candidate and the most efficacious conditioning regimen. With highly effective monoclonal therapies emerging, a randomized, controlled, head-to-head comparison of HSCT with such therapies is advisable before we recommend HSCT to our patients.
— Robert T. Naismith, MD Published in Journal Watch Neurology March 21, 2011
Citation(s): Fassas A et al. Long-term results of stem cell transplantation for MS: A single-center experience. Neurology 2011 Mar 22; 76:1066.
Top of Page
Stroke 2011 Mar 10
Is It Time to Smell the Coffee?
Among Swedish women, drinking little or no coffee was associated with higher stroke risk.
Coffee is widely consumed, yet its relation to stroke risk remains unknown. Some have posited that the phenolic compounds in coffee might have antioxidant properties that improve endothelial function, whereas others have suggested that the caffeine in coffee might be detrimental to health. As part of the Swedish Mammography Cohort study (a prospective, population-based assessment of health status in 34,670 women who were free of cardiovascular disease at entry), participants completed food-frequency questionnaires that included questions about coffee consumption. Intake was stratified (<1, 1–2, 3–4, or greater than or equal to 5 cups daily); because decaffeinated coffee is uncommon in Sweden, coffee type was not addressed.
During a mean follow-up of 10.4 years, 1680 stroke events occurred; these included 1310 cerebral infarctions, 154 intracerebral hemorrhages, 79 subarachnoid hemorrhages, and 137 unspecified strokes. After adjustment for self-reported cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, alcohol or aspirin use, body-mass index, physical activity, socioeconomic status, diabetes, hypertension), daily consumption of greater than or equal to 1 cup compared with <1 cup of coffee was associated with 25% lower risk for total stroke, cerebral infarction, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, but not for intracerebral hemorrhage (adjusted relative risk for total stroke, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–0.88). No continuous dose–response relation for coffee consumption and stroke risk was observed.
Comment: This large prospective study of Swedish women demonstrated a reduction in stroke risk with higher coffee consumption. Although intriguing and consistent with other studies that have associated coffee drinking with beneficial health effects (JW Womens Health Jul 24 2008), the study is limited by potential unmeasured confounders associated with caffeine dose; in particular, the lack of a dose–response effect is concerning. Before we recommend coffee as a health food, further prospective studies on its consumption in relation to stroke and other cardiovascular outcomes are warranted.
— JoAnne M. Foody, MD Published in Journal Watch Women's Health March 24, 2011
Citation(s): Larsson SC et al. Coffee consumption and risk of stroke in women. Stroke 2011 Mar 10; [e-pub ahead of print]. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.603787
Top of Page
Pediatrics 2011 Mar; 127:462
Most ADHD Is Complex
More than 4 million children in the U.S. have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and most have one or more coexisting conditions.
Most children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have one or more coexisting conditions that affect learning and social relationships. To examine comorbidity in children with ADHD, researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 61,779 children (age range, 6–17 years) from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. ADHD and other coexisting conditions were ascertained by asking parents if a doctor or healthcare provider had ever told them that their children had any of the conditions; 5028 children who currently had ADHD were included in the analysis.
The parent-reported prevalence of ADHD was 8.2%. Coexisting conditions were significantly more common in children with ADHD than in children without ADHD: learning disabilities (46% vs. 5%), conduct disorder (27% vs. 2%), anxiety (18% vs. 2%), depression (14% vs. 1%), and speech problems (12% vs. 3%). Coexisting conditions tended to cluster in children with ADHD: 33% had one, 16% had two, and 18% had three or more. Poor children were more likely to have three or more comorbid conditions than affluent children (30% vs. 8%). Children with ADHD had significantly higher rates of activity restriction, grade repetition, and poor parent–child communication than children without ADHD. In addition, social competence scores were lower, and parent aggravation was higher. Functional impairment and use of mental health services (48% vs. 6%) and special educational services (49% vs. 7%) increased with the number of comorbid conditions.
Comment: In this national study, 67% of children with ADHD had at least one coexisting condition, and about 20% had three or more (complex ADHD). Although the obvious limitation of this study is that it is based on parent reports, the prevalence figures are similar to those from other studies. The results suggest that more than 4 million children in the U.S. have ADHD, most have complex ADHD, and nearly half use special education and mental health services. The recent publication by the American Academy of Pediatrics Mental Health Task Force is an excellent resource for evidence-based diagnosis of mental health conditions in primary care. The picture of ADHD described in this study suggests the need for a coordinated care system that includes physical health, mental health, and educational services. From my perspective, the data point to the need for a case manager to work with primary care pediatricians to effectively monitor treatment and assess changes. ADHD and asthma — two highly prevalent conditions seen in primary care — are the major reason for establishment of a medical home (with an available case manager) in all primary care practices.
— Martin T. Stein, MD Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine March 23, 2011
Citation(s): Larson K et al. Patterns of comorbidity, functioning, and service use for US children with ADHD, 2007. Pediatrics 2011 Mar; 127:462.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21300675?dopt=Abstract
Top of Page
March 21, 2011
Selenium Seen as Key Anti-Aging Ally
Famed researcher’s nutrient “triage” theory gains support from selenium study; seafood is a top source of the essential immune-system mineral
by Craig Weatherby
Famed researcher’s nutrient “triage” theory gains support from selenium study; seafood is a top source of the essential immune-system mineral by Craig Weatherby
Professor Bruce Ames, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkeley is best known as the inventor of the Ames Tests, used worldwide to gauge the carcinogenic potential of natural and synthetic chemicals. More recently, he’s been focused on the role of essential micronutrients –vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids – in aging and disease.Five years ago, his research led him to propose a new idea – his “triage theory” – that could revolutionize the field (Ames BN 2006).
Nutrient-triage theory of aging
Triage is emergency-care doctors’ practice of prioritizing wounded patients for treatment based on the severity of their injuries.Dr. Ames’ triage theory proposes that secondary functions of a micronutrient tend to go unfulfilled when a person’s diet doesn’t supply more than they need for short-term survival.Thus, age-related conditions like heart disease, cancer, and dementia could be caused in part as an unintended consequence of otherwise sensible body mechanisms.It makes sense that when a micronutrient is in short supply, the body would use it only for the nutrient’s most essential functions and let others go unperformed. Dr. Ames believes that if a micronutrient deficiency persists, the body will accumulate gradual, insidious changes that accelerate aging and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
We covered one of Dr. Ames prior studies that support the theory: see “Magnesium Shortage Speeds Aging of America”.
Now, he’s turned his attention to selenium, which is an essential component in key immune-system components called selenoproteins … such as selenoprotein P and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).
Selenium study supports unique value of seafood
Selenium seems like a good target for research on the nutrient-triage theory, because of its essentiality to the body’s antioxidant network and other anti-cancer mechanisms. While the evidence linking higher selenium levels to lower cancer risk is mixed (ODS 2011), it is the only mineral that’s earned FDA approval to bear a qualified health claim for general cancer prevention. Drs. McCann and Ames analyzed 25 studies, to examine the activity and blood levels of 12 selenoproteins – five considered essential to short-term survival and seven needed only for long-term health.
They found that the activity and levels of non-essential selenoproteins declined when a person, animal, or microbe was even “modestly” selenium-deficient.
Dr. Ames and McCann noted that the “… same set of age-related diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and immune dysfunction, are … associated with modest Se [selenium] deficiency …” (McCann JC, Ames BN) They also pointed out that modest Se deficiency is also associated with genetic malfunctioning of non-essential selenoproteins … which would explain the inconsistent but troubling associations seen between lower selenium intakes and higher risks of cancer, heart disease, or immune disorders. As the Oakland-based pair concluded, “Modest selenium deficiency is common in many parts of the world; optimal intake could prevent future disease.” (McCann JC, Ames BN 2011)
How much selenium, and from where?
In general, people’s selenium levels vary geographically, depending on soil selenium levels, with locally grown produce and grains being the “delivery” vehicles. As some European countries have switched from generally selenium-rich U.S. grains to generally selenium-poor domestic grains, they’ve seen their citizens’ selenium levels drop.
(The best source of selenium is seafood: see below, “Seafood scores high for selenium”.)
If we define it as falling short of the adult RDA of 55 micrograms (mcg), outright selenium deficiency is rare in the U.S. and Canada … but quite common in China, which has selenium-poor soils. However, the results of a recent clinical study suggest that the amount needed to raise body levels of selenoprotein P into the range associated with reduced cancer rates is 105mcg per day (Hurst R et al. 2010). Participants in that British trial who got 55mcg of selenium daily from a prescribed diet and 50mcg daily from selenium supplements had optimal levels of selenoprotein P, while those who ingested substantially less selenium fell short of that goal. And the new evidence gleaned through the review by Drs. Ames and McCann supports the Brit’s finding from another angle.
The U.S. RDA for selenium is based on the amount needed to maximize blood activities of one form of glutathione peroxidase called GPx3.
But Drs. McCann and Ames found that an essential selenium-dependent protein called Sepp1 was more sensitive to selenium deficiency … which implies a need to raise the RDA:
“The fact that Sepp1 [blood levels are] more sensitive to selenium deficiency than Gpx3 in human plasma [blood] has important implications for estimating the percentage of the population that is modestly selenium deficient … [thus] Sepp1 is expected to be at suboptimal levels, even in some individuals meeting current selenium intake recommendations.”
Accordingly, as the authors noted, “… it recently was suggested that recommended selenium intake levels should be raised from 55 to 75 micrograms per day.” We second that notion, and would add that, in addition to being a superior source of selenium, seafood is rich in protein, vitamin D, and omega-3s.
Sources: Ames BN, Atamna H, Killilea DW. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies can accelerate the mitochondrial decay of aging. Mol Aspects Med. 2005 Aug-Oct;26(4-5):363-78. Review. Ames BN. Low micronutrient intake may accelerate the degenerative diseases of aging through allocation of scarce micronutrients by triage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Nov 21;103(47):17589-94. Epub 2006 Nov 13. Review. Ames BN. Micronutrients prevent cancer and delay aging. Toxicol Lett. 1998 Dec 28;102-103:5-18. Review. Ames BN. Optimal micronutrients delay mitochondrial decay and age-associated diseases. Mech Ageing Dev. 2010 Jul-Aug;131(7-8):473-9. Epub 2010 Apr 24. Review. Fenech M. Micronutrients and genomic stability: a new paradigm for recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). Food Chem Toxicol. 2002 Aug;40(8):1113-7. Review. McCann JC, Ames BN. Adaptive dysfunction of selenoproteins from the perspective of the triage theory: why modest selenium deficiency may increase risk of diseases of aging. FASEB J. 2011 Mar 14. [Epub ahead of print] Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). March 21, 2011. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Selenium. Accessed at http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium Xun P, Bujnowski D, Liu K, Steve Morris J, Guo Z, He K. Distribution of toenail selenium levels in young adult Caucasians and African Americans in the United States: The CARDIA Trace Element Study. Environ Res. 2011 Feb 10. [Epub ahead of print]
Top of Page
Seafood scores high for selenium
All figures are in micrograms (mcg) and come from the USDA or ODS/NIH.
The adult RDA is 55 mcg:
Selenium per 3.5 oz serving
Beef, cooked - 35
Turkey, light meat, roasted - 32
Bread, whole wheat, 1 slice - 10
Albacore Tuna (canned) - 60
Sardines (canned) - 53
Mackerel (canned) - 52
Halibut - 47
Sablefish - 47
Pollock - 47
King Salmon (chinook) - 47
King Crab - 40
Shrimp/Prawns - 40
Silver Salmon (coho) - 38
Sockeye Salmon (red) - 38
Cod - 38
Scallops - 28
