The word selenium comes from the Greek word, "selene", which literally means "moon." The wisdom of naming this element after the Greek word for moon is illustrated by the ability of pure selenium to increase its conductivity as much as a thousand fold when a sample is taken from pure darkness into bright sunlight. Hence, selenium compounds are used in the manufacture of many light-sensitive devices, from photocopy machines (xerography) to outdoor light sensors.

Selenium was only officially recognized as an essential trace element for human health in 1990. However, since then, a great deal of publicity has been given to this trace element. Selenium can:

1. protect against harmful exposure to the heavy metal, mercury
2. help make a vital antioxidant, glutathione
3. help regulate male hormones
4. in males, support prostate function
5. work synergistically with vitamin E
6. enhance immune function

Selenium has been described by some scientists as an "anti-cancer" nutrient. This is due to the fact that numerous studies have found that people living in areas rich in selenium in their soil and drinking water have lower rates of cancer than those people living in selenium-depleted soils.

A deficiency of Selenuim can contribute to many conditions, including:

1. dry skin
2. dandruff
3. the development of cataracts
4. fatigue
5. affect the efficiency of vitamin E utilization

The is evidence that in males, maintaining adequate selenium levels may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, since it has been reported that males with prostate cancer have significantly lower levels of selenium. In females, evidence suggests that it may reduce menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, resolve dandruff, and help maintain a more youthful appearance of the skin. The best food sources of selenium are seafoods, kidney, liver, most red meats, unrefined grains, and fruits and vegetables grown in selenium-sufficient soil.

The current recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for selenium for healthy individuals consuming a mixed North American diet is:

• Infants 10 mcg.
• Children 20 mcg.
• Males (11-18) 50 mcg.
• Males (adults) 70 mcg.
• Females 55 mcg.
• Pregnant 65 mcg.
• Lactating (1st 6 mos.) 75 mcg.

The word "manganese" comes from the Latin word, "magnes", meaning magnet. For many years manganese fueled the industrial revolution because it was found to increase the resistance of steel to impact. Railroad tracks, for instance, contain 1.2% maganese. Only recently has it been discovered that manganese is vital to human health, hence it is considered by many an essential trace element.

Among many of its most important functions, manganese:

1. activates numerous enzymes,
2. helps in the utilization of thiamin,
3. helps in the utilization of vitamin E (tocopherol),
4. helps in the utilization of iron, and
5. increases the level of the antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD)

Too much manganese may cause problems. For example, excessive manganese interferes with iron absorption. (Excessive iron can also interfere with manganese absorption.) It is believed that taking a calcium supplement may interfere with manganese absorption. For this reason, many health practitioners recommend that if manganese supplements is needed, it be taken at a time other than when a calcium supplement is taken.

Recent studies are suggesting that infants under 24 months of age should not consume excessive amounts of manganese in the diet or via infant formula, since it may increase the risk of interfering in the brain’s chemistry, leading to negative behavioral effects.

1. heart disease
2. dermatitis
3. lower levels of the good cholesterol fraction, HDL-cholesterol
4. accelerated bone loss
5. reduced fertility
6. retarded growth in children
7. low blood sugar
8. middle ear problems, including difficulty maintaining balance

Unrefined whole grains and cereal products are the richest dietary sources of manganese. Unfortunately, the refined of grains has lead to widespread inadequacies in the daily intake of manganese from our diet. Fruits and vegetables to a more limited degree can provide manganese in the diet. Black teas are a rich source of manganese, especially for populations not consuming enough unrefined grains as cereal products.

There is no current recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for manganese for healthy individuals consuming a mixed North American diet. The provisional recommended daily dietary intake is:

Is chromium deficiency associated with atherosclerosis? Tissues of humans who have died of heart disease have been found to have less chromium than tissue of humans who died of accidental causes. Also, in those patients with atherosclerotic plaque who died of heart disease, no detectable concentrations of chromium were found in their tissue. In addition, chromium along with selenium, copper, potassium, magnesium, and calcium reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, by having a beneficial effect on serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Chromium may also be important to the health of the skin.

Food sources of chromium include: brewer’s yeast, nuts, molasses, cheese, and most whole grains. Since the amount of chromium found in the diet may often times be inadequate to supply one’s daily chromium requirement, chromium supplementation may be warranted. In general, 200 micrograms a day of chromium from a dietary supplement is a reasonable amount to supplement the diet.

Boron is a light trace element that is turning out to be essential to human health and behavior. The word boron has its origin in the Persian and Arabic words for "borax", a compound that contains the element boron, and is more often found in dry climates. The importance of boron to human health did not even become apparent to scientists until the mid-1980's, so it isn't surprising if you know little about this trace element.

For many centuries healers gave people who were excited the "sedative salt" boric acid, another compound containing boron. Today it has been scientifically demonstrated that boron is important to brain function, especially in enhancing memory, cognitive function, and hand-eye coordination.

The highest concentrations of boron are found in the drinking water and soil of some of the driest climate areas in the world, such as the red Sear of the middle east, the inland deserts of Australia, or the deserts of the United States and Chile.

Evidence continues to mount that boron may reduce either the symptoms or incidence of arthritis. Although the connection between arthritis and boron was first discovered sheep and chickens, researchers have found a curious association between the amount of boron in the soil and drinking water, and the incidence of arthritis in a population. for example, in the most arid areas of the world, the incidence of arthritis tends to be dramatically lower than in the rain-laden areas. Arid areas have been found to have the highest concentrations of boron in the drinking water and soil. This is most interesting since it is well known that boron can get more readily leached out of the soil in wet climates. This is one reason most good farmers and ranchers check for the level of boron in their soil. If boron concentrations are low, they may give their crops or livestock supplemental feed containing this important trace element.

In post-menopausal females who are magnesium deficient, it has been scientifically demonstrated that 3 milligrams of boron a day added to the diet resulted in:

1. improvements in both calcium and magnesium retention,
2. elevations in circulation serum concentrations of testosterone, and
3. elevations in circulating serum concentrations of 17-beta-estradiol (a form of estrogen). Similar improvements can also be seen in Vitamin D deficient post-menopausal females.

No recommended daily allowance (RDA) has been established for boron in humans at this time. However, the following amounts are recommended to insure that you have sufficient daily boron intake. Boron is most abundant in pears, apples and grapes grown in rich boron soil. Other potential food sources are legumes (soy beans), nuts, and green, leafy vegetables, again assuming that the boron levels in the soil the foodstuffs were grown in were adequate.

Children 1.5 mg.
Males (11-18) 2.0 mg.
Males (adults) 2.0 mg.
Females 2.0 mg.
Females (post menopause) 3.0 mg.
Pregnant 2.5 mg.
Lactating (1^st 6 mos.) 2.5 mg.