What do you think about this supplement ? Another study show selenium restriction being better
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We have several other threads on this forum related to selenium. I just came across this paper on prostate cancer, rapamycin, and certain selenium compounds. Remarkable inhibition of mTOR signaling by the combination of rapamycin and 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate in human prostate cancer cells - PMC
Does anyone know if it is best to take selenium on an empty stomach? I know that is the case for zinc.
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Beware, the study i posted show a much superior effect over classic selenium supplement.
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Why not just have a brazil nut every day…its prepackaged with Fats, Vitamin E and Mg for superior bioavailability. Granted you may not get a precision of dosing that supplements afford.
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This looks great - but its early research and I’m sure it will be many years until commercialization, if it happens…
Nano-Selenium 2.0: Restoring Calcium Homeostasis to Halt Senescence
In a significant advancement for trace element therapeutics, researchers have engineered a “smart” selenium delivery system that bypasses the element’s notorious toxicity risks while potently extending lifespan and healthspan in mice. While selenium is a known essential micronutrient, its therapeutic window is dangerously narrow—too little accelerates aging, but slightly too much becomes toxic. To solve this, the team developed redox-dual-responsive diselenide-bridged mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SeMSNs). Unlike standard supplements, these nanoparticles remain stable until they encounter oxidative stress (ROS) within the body, triggering a precise, on-demand release of selenium.
The study reveals a novel mechanistic axis linking selenium directly to calcium signaling and cellular senescence. The researchers discovered that SeMSNs upregulate specific selenoproteins (GPx1 and SelK) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This upregulation quells ER stress and maintains intracellular calcium homeostasis. Crucially, this stabilizing effect prevents the nuclear translocation of NFATc2 , a transcription factor that otherwise drives the expression of Sik1 (Salt-inducible kinase 1). By keeping Sik1 suppressed, the treatment effectively blocks the downstream activation of senescence markers p21 and p16.
In aged mice (starting at 18 months), this intervention didn’t just improve biomarkers; it visibly reversed frailty (restoring fur quality and grip strength) and extended lifespan, with all treated mice surviving past the 24-month mark where controls faltered. The study also validated these pathways in human adipose progenitor cells, suggesting immediate translational relevance.
Source:
- Institution: China Medical University, China.
- Journal: Advanced Science.
- Impact Evaluation: The impact score of Advanced Science is approximately 14.3 (JIF), evaluated against a typical high-end range of 0–60+ for top general science. Therefore, this is a High Impact journal.
5. Critical Limitations (Ruthless Review)
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Sample Size (n=10): The survival cohort (n=10) is statistically underpowered for a definitive longevity claim. The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) typically requires n=40+ per sex per site. [Confidence: Low]
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Short-Lived Controls: As noted, the controls dying off at ~2 years suggests suboptimal husbandry or environmental stress, making the “lifespan extension” relative to a compromised baseline rather than a true biological maximum.
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Sex Bias: The animal study was exclusively male. Given known sexual dimorphism in longevity interventions (e.g., acarbose, rapamycin), this is a major gap.
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Duration: The study intervention lasted only 5 months (18 to 23 months). This is a “late-life rescue” paradigm, not a life-long extension study.
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Clinical Extrapolation Gap: The human “clinical” data is purely correlational (selenium levels vs. frailty markers) and ex vivo (treating isolated cells). No human subjects were treated with SeMSNs.
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Toxicity Data: While short-term toxicity looks clean, silica nanoparticles can have long-term accumulation issues (silicosis/renal toxicity) not fully captured in a 5-month window.
Actionable Insight for the User: This paper reinforces the importance of Selenium status for calcium handling and ER stress management. However, the specific nanoparticle (SeMSNs) is not commercially available. For a biohacker, the actionable takeaway is optimizing Selenium status (via diet or careful supplementation like Se-Methyl-Selenocysteine or Selenomethionine) to support SelK/GPx1 function, while acknowledging that the “smart release” safety mechanism described here is currently lab-grade only. Monitoring HS-CRP (inflammation) and Calcium levels alongside Se supplementation may be a proxy for efficacy.
Until then, I’ll keep eating Brazil nuts (one or two a day, as mentioned)…
Top 10 Lowest-Cost Sources for Brazil Nuts (USA)
The following table identifies the lowest-cost Brazil nut options currently available for shipping in the USA, sorted by Cost Per 100 grams.
Note on Shipping:
- Sam’s Club: Requires membership. Shipping availability varies by region; often available for “Plus” members with free shipping or standard shipping for a fee.
- Walmart (Sammys/Nut Cravings): typically offers free shipping on orders over $35 or for Walmart+ members.
- Sincerely Nuts: Free shipping on orders over $60.
- Vitacost: Free shipping on orders over $49.
| Rank | Product/Brand Name | Vendor | Total Weight | Total Price | Cost Per 100g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nature’s Eats Raw Unsalted Brazil Nuts | Sam’s Club | 24 oz (680g) | $9.98 | $1.47 |
| 2 | Sprouts Raw Whole Brazil Nuts | Sprouts (via Instacart/Delivery) | 1 lb (454g) | ~$9.99 | $2.20 |
| 3 | Raw Brazil Nuts (No Shell) | Sincerely Nuts | 1 lb (454g) | $11.99 | $2.64 |
| 4 | Sammys Raw Brazil Nuts | Walmart | 16 oz (454g) | $13.97 | $3.08 |
| 5 | Nut Cravings Raw Brazil Nuts | Walmart | 16 oz (454g) | $14.97 | $3.30 |
| 6 | Pecan Gifts Natural Brazil Nuts | Pecan Gifts | 1 lb (454g) | $14.99 | $3.30 |
| 7 | NOW Foods Whole Raw Brazil Nuts Unsalted | Vitacost | 12 oz (340g) | $11.89 | $3.50 |
| 8 | Shelled Roasted Salted Brazil Nuts | We Got Nuts | 1 lb (454g) | $15.99 | $3.52 |
| 9 | Vitacost Certified Organic Brazil Nuts Raw | Vitacost | 8 oz (227g) | $8.99 | $3.96 |
| 10 | Raw Brazil Nuts (No Shell) | Nuts.com | 8 oz (227g) | $9.99 | $4.40 |
Availability Verification
- Nature’s Eats (Sam’s Club): Stock fluctuates rapidly online; verify local delivery availability by entering your zip code.
- Sprouts: Price is estimated based on in-store/local delivery rates; may vary slightly by location.
- Walmart Items (Sammys/Nut Cravings): Currently listed as in-stock for shipping.
- We Got Nuts: 1lb bag verified in stock.
- NOW Foods: Verified in stock at Vitacost.
Freshness is a growing consideration during this period of shortage – which looks to be a long run. Costco was selling Brazil nuts that were reasonably fresh and priced lower than anyone else (assuming you have a membership). In contrast, I purchased a bag at Sprouts two weeks ago that I threw away because they were rancid. Winco has the freshest supply now but many reading this will never have heard of them, They started in Boise and now have 144 stores in 10 states. Given that they are employee owned and therefore lack the access to capital of a publicly traded company, they are growing fast. the guy at Winco said they get rancid shipments as well but won’t put them out for customers.
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You are right. I asked Gemini to look at the supplements available from Amazon. The selenomethionine form is the best form to buy if you want a selenium supplement. But Brazil nuts are much better. I was surprised at the amount of selenium in a single Brazil nut.
I asked about the “narrow range” of selenium for therapeutic and safe consumption.
Gemini said
Yes, there is a notably narrow therapeutic range for selenium. This means there is a small window between getting enough for health benefits and getting too much, which can lead to toxicity.
Here is a breakdown of the range and how Brazil nuts fit into the picture.
The Narrow Range of Selenium
The “therapeutic range” generally refers to the amount you need to take to see a benefit without causing harm. For selenium, the difference between a recommended daily amount and a potentially harmful amount is surprisingly small compared to many other nutrients.
- Recommended Daily Amount (RDA): For most adults, the recommended intake is just 55 micrograms (mcg) per day. This is the amount considered sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals.
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): The maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects is 400 mcg per day for adults. Consuming more than this amount on a chronic basis increases the risk of toxicity, a condition known as selenosis.
+1
The gap between the recommended 55 mcg and the upper limit of 400 mcg is relatively small. To put it in perspective, some experts suggest an optimal intake for certain health benefits might be closer to 100-200 mcg per day from all sources (diet and supplements), but you should consider 200 mcg as a safe daily cap to avoid creeping toward the toxicity zone.
Signs of getting too much selenium (selenosis) can include: garlic odor on the breath, metallic taste in the mouth, hair and nail brittleness or loss, skin rashes, nausea, and fatigue.
Can You Get the Proper Amount from Brazil Nuts?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, Brazil nuts are the single most potent dietary source of selenium on the planet. However, because of the narrow therapeutic range mentioned above, they must be eaten with caution.
Here is why:
- A single Brazil nut can contain anywhere from 68 to 91 mcg of selenium. Just one nut can provide more than your entire daily recommended amount.
- A standard 1-ounce serving (about 6-8 nuts) can contain huge amounts, upwards of 544 mcg. This single serving is already well above the safe upper limit of 400 mcg per day.
Conclusion & Recommendation:
Brazil nuts are an incredibly effective way to ensure you get therapeutic value from selenium without needing a supplement. However, you should treat them almost like a timed-dose medication rather than a snack.
- The safe and effective dose is 1 to 2 Brazil nuts per day. This amount will easily meet your daily needs and keep you safely within the therapeutic range. Eating handfuls of them regularly could quickly lead to selenium toxicity.
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