Selenium

Selenium Benefits

Did you know that the trace mineral selenium has many benefits and is critical to sustaining human health? Tragically, one billion people worldwide reportedly do not get the required amount of selenium each day.

Why? Because selenium is naturally found in the soil and by way of soil-plant interaction; however, unfortunately soil selenium levels today are drastically reduced because of climate change and farming practices. As a result, many people are not able to benefit from the many advantages that selenium offers.

Selenium is an essential component of glutathione – the body’s master antioxidant – and is responsible for tissue repair throughout the body. As such, supplementation can bolster your antioxidant protection against oxidative stress. Further, because selenium supports important enzymatic processes throughout the body, getting sufficient dietary selenium is key to fighting oxidative-associated degradation of cells and protect against mutation, as well as DNA damage – and, unsurprisingly, the development of disease.

In addition, selenium has also been shown to enhance blood flow and reduce inflammation, so supplementation is thought to protect cardiovascular health. Low serum selenium concentrations are indeed associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Selenium also regulates fat metabolism in the body via its direct implication in the production of thyroid hormones. This is why an adequate intake of selenium is crucial to supporting the thyroid gland and the body’s metabolism in general. Low thyroid symptoms include; lack of energy, fatigue, low metabolic rate, poor cognitive function, thinning and falling hair, weight gain, brain fog, chronic constipation and high blood pressure, among other symptoms.

Benefits of Selenium

• Boosts Immune Function
• Enhances Antioxidant Protection
• Essential for Healthy Cell Growth

Who Benefits From Selenium?

What does Selenium do? Practitioners often recommend selenium to those with weakened immunity and prone to infections because it is required for the proper functioning of the immune system. It is also frequently recommended to regulate thyroid function in hypothyroidism (with or without medication), as well as subclinical hypothyroidism. Specialists will also recommend selenium to help with male fertility (for those having trouble conceiving), as well as prostate inflammation.

Selenium Supplements Benefits

Potency

Selenium supplements are typically found in the 100 to 200 mcg range, which is ideal to support overall health and wellness. Higher doses may be recommended by your health care practitioner depending on your health status and condition.

Forms

Selenium can be found in multivitamin/mineral supplements as well as a standalone supplement. It’s often found in selenomethionine form, and sometimes via selenium-enriched yeast. Sodium selenite is another form; however, it’s important to note that the body absorbs more than 90% of selenomethionine, while it can only absorb about 50% of selenium from selenite.

Formats

Selenium supplements can be found in tablet, capsule, and liquid form. It is also included in most multivitamin/mineral formulas, so make sure to read labels carefully to know how much selenium you are taking in via your supplement regimen.

Final Thoughts

Pay attention to the selenium supplement you select so it caters to your health concerns. Different forms of selenium are absorbed and metabolized differently. Inorganic forms combine with other food components during digestion and form insoluble complexes, which reduces absorption. Organic forms undergo amino-acid uptake mechanisms in the intestine, which increases its transportation across the intestinal wall.

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