Dark urine and unexplained dizziness can be worrisome symptoms. The cause may be benign; certain medications and foods -- among them laxatives, antibiotics and fava beans -- can cause darkened urine, and dizziness can result from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a normally harmless condition. However, serious medical conditions, including hepatitis and pancreatitis, may also be indicated. Visit your doctor promptly to rule out dangerous diagnoses. Some naturopaths endorse the mineral selenium to treat pancreatitis and hepatitis, but clinical research has yielded mixed results. Consult your doctor before taking supplemental selenium.
Selenium Features
Selenium, an essential trace mineral, plays a role in healthy thyroid function and immune system health. It is also a potent antioxidant, helping to neutralize destructive free radicals that may contribute to the development of serious chronic diseases, including cancer. The recommended dietary amount for selenium is 55 micrograms per day. Good dietary sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, red meat, poultry, dairy products, oatmeal and wheat. The Office of Dietary Supplements advises eating Brazil nuts only on occasion to avoid ingesting excessive amounts of selenium. The ODS reports that true selenium deficiencies are rare but notes that absorption problems -- as well as the use of alcohol, nicotine and birth control pills -- can cause low levels.
Pancreatitis and Hepatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an enzyme-producing gland that facilitates digestion and helps regulate blood glucose. The most common cause is excessive alcohol consumption; cystic fibrosis and high blood fats can also trigger pancreatitis. Although mild cases may resolve on their own, severe pancreatitis can be life-threatening. Along with darkened urine, you may experience diarrhea, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea and pain radiating through your back. The pain is often worse after eating, especially if the meal is high-fat. Hepatitis, a serious inflammation of the liver, is usually due to a virus. Excessive use of drugs and alcohol and exposure to chemicals can also cause the disease. Symptoms include dark urine, pale-colored stools, flulike symptoms, jaundice and loss of appetite. See your doctor if you have symptoms of pancreatitis or hepatitis.
Selenium and Pancreatitis
Digital Naturopath reports that patients with pancreatitis suffer from low blood levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals and recommends antioxidants, including selenium, to help alleviate the condition. In a randomized animal study published in 2005 in "Journal of the Pancreas," researchers found that intravenous selenium given to rats with laboratory-induced pancreatitis resulted in significant improvement, with reduced swelling and inflammation of the pancreas. However, clinical research on the use of selenium to treat pancreatitis in humans yielded disappointing results. In a double-blind study published in 2007 in "Gut," an international journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, researchers administered intravenous antioxidants, including selenium, to 45 patients with severe acute pancreatitis and found no beneficial effect. They concluded that there was no evidence to justify the continued use of antioxidant therapy in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
Selenium and Hepatitis
The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University reports that hepatitis increases the risk of cancer; low dietary selenium intake also raises cancer risk. In an animal study published in 1997 in "Biological Trace Element Research," researchers noted that dietary selenium sharply reduced hepatitis B incidence and precancerous lesions in ducks. In a population study of 130,471 people in Qidong, China, adding selenium to table salt significantly inhibited hepatitis B and had a chemoprotective effect against liver cancer as well. Research into the effects of selenium against hepatitis B and C is ongoing.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Urine Color: Causes
- Net Doctor: Chronic Pancreatitis
- Digital Naturopath: Pancreatitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Viral Hepatitis
- Journal of the Pancreas: Intravenous Selenium Modulates L-Arginine-Induced Experimental Acute Pancreatitis
- Gut: Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Intravenous Antioxidant (N-Acetylcysteine, Selenium, Vitamin C) Therapy in Severe Acute Pancreatitis
- Biological Trace Element Research: Protective Role of Selenium Against Hepatitis B Virus and Primary Liver Cancer
- MayoClinic.com: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Selenium
