Selenium was first discovered in 1817 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. The blue light emitted from selenium resembles the bright moonlight, leading to its name derived from the Greek word "selena," referring to the moon goddess Selene. It has been referred to as the "blue light wizard," "miracle element," and "dream element." (Professor Jeong An-sik, KAIST)
The name selenium (Se, atomic number 34) is derived from the moon and belongs to Group 16 of the periodic table, known as the chalcogens. It is an essential mineral nutrient designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1978 as necessary for human and animal health.
Selenium can be categorized into inorganic and organic selenium. When garlic absorbs selenium, it converts it into organic selenium through photosynthesis and accumulates it in its roots.
Garlic
Garlic has the ability to accumulate selenium. Recent studies on immunity and the anticancer effects of selenium have highlighted garlic's consumption as effective for cancer prevention and metastasis inhibition, thereby enhancing longevity and quality of life. The effects of selenium garlic, supported by selenium accumulation technology, increasing high-quality selenium garlic production, and subsequent consumption, are expected to lead to the development of competitive functional products, enhancing the value of "selenium garlic" for public health and increasing income for garlic-growing farmers.
Widely known as a health food, garlic is a crop that accumulates selenium. Consumption of selenium-enriched garlic, also known as "selenium garlic," can be an excellent way to intake selenium, which is often lacking in the human body. Therefore, developing efficient selenium garlic production technology will significantly contribute not only to various high-value health functional foods but ultimately to national health as well.
Intake of selenium through garlic is gaining popularity worldwide due to its strong anticancer effects. The combination of garlic, rich in sulfur compounds, and selenium enhances its functional properties through synergy.
The intake of organic selenium through garlic has strong anticancer effects and is becoming increasingly recognized globally, with research indicating that the combination with sulfur-rich garlic significantly enhances its functionality.
Recommended Daily Intake of Selenium
Scientists around the world continue to experiment with the appropriate amount of selenium intake. While standards vary by country, it is generally considered safe to consume 200-400 micrograms (ug) of selenium daily to observe its effects. The UK Health Council recommends a daily intake of 500ug for optimal health, and doses of 1,000-2,000ug are administered for cancer treatment.
Reports indicate that organic selenium, accumulated through garlic, is safe to consume up to 4,000ug daily. This is because any excess organic selenium is excreted through urine or expelled through the lungs. Therefore, there are no concerns about toxicity from organic selenium intake through garlic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that Asians consume 400ug of selenium daily for significant health benefits. It is advised to consume five cloves of selenium garlic daily for cancer prevention and health enhancement, assuming a selenium content of 10-39ppm in garlic.
Combination of Selenium and Garlic
According to Dr. Jeong An-sik of KAIST’s Department of Life Sciences, selenium is an essential component for various organs in the human body, including the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure, known to cause heart attacks or heart failure, can be treated with selenium supplementation. A deficiency of selenium in the body is known to induce thrombosis.
The emergence of selenium has brought groundbreaking results in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Regular intake of selenium in the body has been shown to prevent skin tissue aging, neutralize metal contamination such as mercury and salt, and promote metabolism and enhance biological functions, regenerating cells in various bodily functions. It is effective for skin beauty and hair loss prevention, enhances immunity against mercury and strengthens biological functions, and nourishes the cells of various body functions. Most importantly, selenium prevents the activity of carcinogenic chemicals, thereby inhibiting the progression of cancer. (Animal experiments, Seoul National University College of Pharmacy)
In 2008, Hoengseong selenium garlic was established through a research project between Jeollanam-do and KAIST on reasonable cultivation methods for selenium garlic and its effects on the human body. Animal experiments conducted at Seoul National University College of Pharmacy revealed that selenium-enriched garlic possesses excellent physiological activity in promoting cancer prevention, antioxidant effects, and anti-thrombotic properties. The recommended daily intake of selenium garlic for adults was established.
Elevating to Health Functional Food
In 2016, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety elevated selenium and garlic from general food to health functional food, registering and announcing it in the food code.
Virus and Selenium Garlic
There are various elements threatening humanity, such as natural disasters and increasingly aggressive viruses. The reason newly emerging viruses are so threatening is that there are neither vaccines nor medications available for them, making prevention and treatment difficult. Human indiscriminate development and environmental destruction will likely continue to increase threats from viruses and bacteria. Perhaps the end of humanity will come from these viruses.
The "Novel Coronavirus" is also known as "COVID-19." Initially, it was recognized only as a respiratory infectious disease with an unknown cause, but it was revealed on January 7, 2020, to be a novel coronavirus similar to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2003 and the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2012. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)" on January 30, 2020, as COVID-19 spread globally, and on March 11, it declared a pandemic.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated not only during metabolic processes in plant and animal cells but also due to environmental pollution from ozone, nitrogen oxides, ultraviolet rays, and smoking. Generally, about 95% of oxygen used in normal respiration is utilized for energy production, while 4-5% generates reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species can contribute to diseases in the body and are recognized as significant aging factors. However, they also play a beneficial role by attacking bacteria or viruses that invade the body. Thus, a moderate amount of reactive oxygen species can help defend the body against bacteria or foreign substances, but excessive production can indiscriminately attack normal cells, becoming a cause of various diseases and aging. Our body has antioxidant enzymes that convert reactive oxygen species into harmless substances, preventing unlimited increases in their levels.
Reactive oxygen species can be produced not only during metabolic processes from food intake but also from environmental pollution. They are associated with causes of aging, arteriosclerosis, and cancer. Under normal respiration, about 95% of oxygen is used for energy production, while 4-5% produces various reactive oxygen species. These reactive oxygen species alter the shapes and sizes of interacting compounds, leading to diseases and aging. They also play beneficial roles by attacking invading bacteria or viruses. Reactive oxygen species play important roles in cell signaling and generation, regulating oxidation-reduction reactions, activating enzymes, detoxifying drugs, and promoting glycogen synthesis.
While a moderate amount of reactive oxygen species helps protect the body from bacteria or foreign substances, excessive production can indiscriminately attack normal cells, leading to diseases and aging. More than 90% of modern disease causes are associated with reactive oxygen species, and the reactive oxygen theory has emerged as a significant cause of aging. However, recent discoveries have shown that reactive oxygen species can also play beneficial roles in the human body, leading some researchers to challenge the suppression of reactive oxygen species.
Reactive oxygen species primarily arise during the metabolic process of converting food into energy. However, our body contains antioxidant enzymes that convert reactive oxygen species into harmless substances, preventing unlimited increases. In addition to internally generated antioxidant enzymes, external sources of antioxidant compounds can be obtained from plants. These include vitamin C (found in kiwi and cabbage), vitamin E (found in almonds and sunflower seeds), beta-carotene (found in carrots and tomatoes), and selenium (found in various seafood).
Selenium, a trace element that exists in small amounts on Earth, is known for its anti-aging and anticancer effects. In developed countries like the United States, it is referred to as the "miracle element" or the "blue light wizard." Health supplements containing selenium, often purchased in one bottle during trips to the U.S. or by relatives, have become popular. Recognized as an essential component for antioxidant action, WHO acknowledged selenium as an essential nutrient in 1978, recommending a daily intake of 50-200 micrograms. In the 1990s, a significant study at the University of Arizona revealed the anticancer effects of selenium, creating a stir in the U.S. market and establishing it as a health supplement. The British "Independent" included "consuming more selenium" in its list of 30 ways to live a healthy and long life, and researchers have documented how selenium can be effective against various cancers.
According to research conducted at the University of Arizona, selenium supplementation helps prevent diseases such as AIDS, respiratory infections, and several types of cancer (e.g., breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers). Selenium also plays an important role in regulating the immune system, with various studies indicating that sufficient selenium intake can enhance immune function.