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Not getting enough selenium? Be careful, this can permanently damage this organhow did it happen selenium deficiency Cause of Keshan disease?symptoms of keshan diseaseWhat other organs are seriously affected by Keshan disease?thyroid glandmusclesimmune systemBrainHow to increase selenium intake naturally?
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Not getting enough selenium? Be careful, this can permanently damage this organ
Selenium is an extremely important mineral that is vital for the optimal functioning of various organs, including your heart. However, its deficiency causes Keshan disease – a form of cardiomyopathy, which is the term for conditions affecting the heart muscle. If not treated timely, Keshan disease can be fatal and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Read on to learn more about the disease and natural ways to overcome the deficiency.
More than 2 percent of China’s population is affected by Keshan disease.
According to experts, selenium deficiency in your body is a major factor in cases of heart failure and heart attacks. Doctors say that selenium – an essential trace element that helps enhance various biological functions like development and supporting the immune system, also controls oxidative stress.
However, low intake can impair organ function and cause oxidative stress, leading to selenium-responsive cardiomyopathy known as Keshan disease. The disease, which affects more than 2 percent of China’s population, is a serious condition that can lead to stroke, cardiovascular diseases including cancer, or even death if not treated properly.
how did it happen selenium deficiency Cause of Keshan disease?
According to experts, Keshan disease is most common in areas where there is low amount of selenium in the soil and, therefore, in the food grown in it, supporting this theory.
However, many experts believe that selenium deficiency alone may not be enough to cause Keshan disease. However, it may contribute to the presence and mutation of coxsackievirus B3, a human pathogen or virus that researchers have linked to acute heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias, particularly in the absence of selenium.
According to one study, more than 80 percent of people with chronic Keshan disease and 83 percent of people with acute Keshan disease also had a mutated form of CVB3. This indicates that people with both the virus and selenium deficiency were more likely to develop the condition.
symptoms of keshan disease
According to experts, there are four main types of Keshan disease – acute, subacute, chronic and latent, all of which have different symptoms depending on the individual suffering from the condition. However, some common signs include:
- cardiogenic shock
- severe arrhythmia
- nausea and dizziness
- feeling cold
- breathlessness
- loss of appetite
- coughing up blood
- heartbeat
- fatigue and tiredness
- Swelling
- severe hair loss
- blood clotting
- high blood pressure
- stroke
What other organs are seriously affected by Keshan disease?
thyroid gland
Selenium is extremely important for converting inactive thyroid hormone into its active form as deficiency of this mineral leads to serious symptoms like fatigue, weight gain and cold intolerance.
Chronic selenium deficiency increases the risk of thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
muscles
Selenium deficiency also causes myopathy or muscle weakness due to oxidative damage to muscle cells. This manifests as difficulty performing physical tasks or muscle pain.
immune system
A selenium deficiency Can weaken your immune system, leading to frequent infections. It also impairs the function of white blood cells, reducing the body’s ability to fight pathogens.
Brain
Selenium plays a role in reducing oxidative stress in the brain, which is important for cognitive health. Deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
How to increase selenium intake naturally?
According to experts, Keshan disease can be controlled and in some cases even cured with proper treatment. For people suffering from selenium deficiency, the best way to treat the condition is to increase their intake of selenium-rich foods. A balanced diet of essential vitamins and minerals can also help you manage this condition. Some foods containing selenium include:
- eggs
- Tuna
- cod
- chicken breast
- Oatmeal
- brown or white rice
- onion and garlic
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