[Role of selenium in the etiology and prevention of diseases (review)]

The data of reports by Russian and foreign authors on the biological effect of selenium are summarized. Some investigations have revealed its high toxic and carcinogenic properties in the selenium-rich biogeochemical provinces. Low-selenium diet has a human unfavourable impact. Recent studies have provided evidence for that is severe selenium deficiency in the environmental objects and foodstuffs virtually throughout the former USSR. At present selenium is recognized to be an essential trace element for human health. Selenium preparations in therapeutical doses have high antioxidative and anticarcinogenic activities. The types of medicinal plant materials that has a pronounced capacity to selectively accumulate selenium from the soil have been defined. Moreover, there are medicinal plants which are selenium concentrators that have high biological accumulation coefficients. Experimental and clinical findings indicate that selenium-containing drugs and medicinal plants should be recommended as an compulsory food additive in selenium-deficient areas for treatment and prophylaxis.