1. Keshan Disease
By: Tyler Marshall

2. Keshan Disease It is a selenium deficiency
It is an essential mineral, required in small amounts
It is strictly environmental
Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins (antioxidant enzymes)
Selenoproteins are important antioxidants that help prevent cellular damage from free radicals
Also helps regulate thyroid function and plays a role in the immune system

3. Background It is common in places such as China and Russia
It derived from China where it was found in children and young women
Although it can also occur in men
Highest prevalence is boys under age 15 and women of childbearing age
Not a problem in the United States
If the soil where plants are grown and animals are raised contain low levels of selenium then the disease can develop

4. Background
United States has areas with high levels of selenium in their soil such as Nebraska and the Dakota
Food distribution through the country helps prevent low selenium intake
Keshan Disease does still rarely occur
At times when someone is being fed through a vein (IV line) for a long period of time
RDA for males and females is 55 micrograms per day

5. Signs and Symptoms Fatigue Heart muscle weakness Diarrhea Vomiting
Fever
Body Pains
Lethargy
Arrhythmia Cardiac Insufficiency Heart Enlargement- which can lead to heart failure Loss of heart tissue

6. Treatment Aside from change in diet a selenium supplement can be taken
Won’t reverse heart muscle damage once it occurs
So monitor and treat early before damage occurs
In China they treat the condition with astragalus which is a herb that accumulates selenium from the soil
If necessary and even possible surgery can be performed to correct the heart condition
Foods rich in selenium are Brazil nuts, fish, eggs, chicken breasts, and grains

7. Diet Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 1
Selenium
Day 2
Day 3
Egg Sandwich
Amount in egg 15
Quaker puffed wheat cereal 67
Oatmeal and Toast on with whole wheat bread
15, 11
With Cheddar cheese 4
Toast with whole wheat bread 11
Black walnuts 5
With turkey 27
Glass of milk
Cocoa: cocoa mix, with aspartame 23
Glass of Milk
Total: 46 78 54
Selenium measured in micrograms

8. Lunch Meal Day 1 Selenium Day 2 Day 3 Turkey sandwich
Amount of Turkey: 27
Tuna sandwich
Amount of light canned tuna: 68
With cheddar cheese 4
Side of shrimp
44.91
With spinach and whole wheat bread
2.70, 11
Side of asparagus
3.08
Glass of apple juice
Total:
44.70
115.99
Selenium measured in micrograms

9. Dinner Meal Day 1 Selenium Day 2 Day 3 Brown Rice 10
Ground beef manwich 18
Macaroni and cheese with chicken
Amount in macaroni : 19
Chicken breast 24
With mushrooms
36.85
Cheddar cheese and Cut chicken breast
4, 24
Glass of water
Total: 34
54.85 47
Daily Totals
124.70
248.84
145.70
Selenium measured in micrograms

10. Questions
Why is Keshan disease only common in certain areas of the world?
The soil in these areas have low levels of selenium
Besides changing your diet how can Keshan disease be treated?
A selenium supplement can be taken or if it’s possible and necessary surgery can be performed.
True or False: Selenium deficiency is a common problem in the United States?
False

11. Resources http://flipper.diff.org/app/items/info/3393
Keshan diesease and selenium; Degidio; Health World December 1996
Absorption, distribution and excretion of selenium from beef and rice in healthy North American men1, 2; Hawkes, Chris, Alkan, Zeynep, Oehler, and Lynn; The Journal of Nutrition November 2003
Foods And Nutrition Encyclopedia 2nd Edition; Ensminger A., Ensminger M.E., Konlande, and Robson