A recent study conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that Selenium SeLECT , Sabinsa's branded L-(+)-Selenomethionine, is twice as bioavailable as selenium in the form of selenite.
"This study further confirms that not all forms of selenium are equal, and that selenomethionine, specifically our Selenium SeLECT, is more available to be absorbed and used by the body," stated Todd Norton, president, Sabinsa Corporation. Dr. Vladimir Badmaev, Sabinsa's vice president of scientific and medical affairs adds, "the University is in the process of preparing for three additional studies using Selenium SeLECT and we look forward to hearing about the results of those studies."
The study entitled "Effectiveness of selenium supplements in a low-selenium area of China " was published in the April 1, 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study involved 120 subjects with an average selenium intake of 10 micrograms per day, well below the recommended dietary allowance of 55 micrograms per day. Participants were given supplemental selenium in either the form of sodium selenite or selenomethionine (Selenium SeLECT was used). The amount of selenium in both forms needed to optimize nutrient levels in the blood was determined. As compared to sodium selenite, less than half the amount of selenium as selenomethionine was needed to reach optimal blood levels.
Selenomethionine, a "molecularly integrated" organic compound is the predominant form of naturally occurring selenium found in foods. The current study confirms that this form of selenium is more than twice as available to be absorbed and used by the body than the inorganic selenium supplement, sodium selenite. The authors plan to publish an additional paper on the results.
Sabinsa's Selenium SeLECT is currently the focus of a large-scale prostate cancer study funded through the National Institute of Health's (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI). It is the only selenium source being administered in the study. A second study being performed in conjunction with this study seeks to evaluate selenomethionine's beneficial role in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
The United States Pharmacopeial (USP) monograph for Selenomethionine is based on Sabinsa's Selenium SeLECT brand of L-(+)-Selenomethionine.
