Particularly important for mens prostate and fertility
Selenium
Updated Feb. 10th, 2026 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- What is Selenium?
- Selenium Health Benefits
- Antioxidant Protection
- Metabolism Benefits
- Men's Health Support
- Shopping For Selenium Supplements
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (4)
What is Selenium?
Selenium is an essential trace mineral with a rich history dating back to early 20th-century research, when scientists began uncovering its role in animal and human health. Traditionally, it was sourced naturally from soil and foods like Brazil nuts, seafood, and grains. However, modern soil depletion in many regions, due to intensive farming and nutrient-poor soils, has reduced nutrient levels in our diets, making supplementation important.
Selenium's primary function is as a potent antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals that can damage cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules that, in their quest to become stable, can harm healthy cells, contributing to oxidative stress. This damage can promote cardiovascular disease by oxidizing LDL cholesterol, leading to atherosclerotic plaques.
Beyond heart health, free radicals can accelerate aging, contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, and impair immune function. By neutralizing these harmful molecules, selenium helps protect cells, preserve other vital nutrients, and support long-term health.
Selenium Health Benefits
Antioxidant Protection
Selenium’s antioxidant properties also help in keeping cells healthy. Unhealthy cell growth can result from free radicals damaging the cellular genetic material. It is also believed to be an anti-aging vitamin because as an antioxidant, it protects the body against environmental pollutants other substances that and lead to aging.
Metabolism Benefits
Selenium regulates fat metabolism by controlling the production of thyroid hormone. Along with vitamin E, they act together to produce the antibodies which are important for protecting the body from infections.
Men's Health Support
Selenium supplementation is particularly important for men because it concentrates in the testicles and is lost through seminal fluid. Along with vitamin E and zinc, it has been shown to reduce prostate inflammation, and has been used to treat many conditions including male infertility, asthma, arthritis, cataracts, AIDS, hypothyroidism, alcoholic cirrhosis and high blood pressure.
Shopping For Selenium Supplements
Selenium supplements are available in tablet or capsule form. It is often grown on yeast and may not be suitable for those who are sensitive to yeast or have a tendency towards candida infections.
Selenomethionine is another highly active form of this trace mineral that does not contain yeast. It works well with vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene and can often be found in a complex with these other antioxidants.
Selenium levels may be decreased by high dose corticosteroid therapy (prednisone).
I’ve been thinking of taking selenium as suggested by my primary health care provider and this article was very important about not only just the benefits of selenium but what dietary sources you can find selenium in and as well as the toxicity warning signs of taking too much selenium which is something that is so important to know the correct dosing and signs and symptoms of any supplement that you are taking! It is so cool to know that selenium is also an antioxidant which is something that I always try to incorporate into my diet. This was a very informative article, thank you so much for sharing, I think I will try out taking a small amount of it first to see how I feel but this article helped me feel a lot more informed about my decision!
Hello,
Thank you for sharing, we're thrilled our article has helped you understand this supplement more and how it can support your health. It's important to be informed when making decisions regarding your health & we truly believe, knowledge is health! We hope our articles can continue to help you in managing your well-being.
Have a healthy day!
It is sad how due to industrial farming practices, globally, our soil is becoming depleted of important trace minerals, such as selenium. You make a good point in openning this article that while selenium is often easily found in diet (eg grains, vegetables, dairy, yeast, and meat!), individuals living in areas with depleted soil (or consuming food from these areas) can experience deficiency. I feel supplementing to be safe is the best bet as selenium has numerous important functions as is evident by the numerous conditions it can be used to treat including male infertility, asthma, arthritis, AIDS, hypothyroidism, alcoholic cirrhosis, high blood pressure and even cataracts!
Hello Rachel,
It is sad, indeed. Unfortunately our food isn't as nutrient dense due to this issue you've mentioned; therefore supplementing with key nutrients, including trace minerals can be beneficial. Thank you for sharing your thoughts from this article and you can learn more about trace minerals here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/trace-minerals/
Have a healthy day.