Selenium

What is selenium?

Selenium is an essential trace element that plays a crucial role in human health. It is a component of several important proteins, including selenoproteins, which act as antioxidant enzymes. Since the human body produces the molecule cannot produce itself, it must be ingested through food. Selenium has gained importance in recent years due to its antioxidant properties and role in the immune system.

Where does selenium occur?

Selenium is found in many foods, especially Seafood, meat and nuts. Some plants, especially those that grow in selenium-rich soils, can also contain significant amounts of selenium. However, the selenium concentration in foods can vary greatly depending on the selenium content of the soil on which the plants grow or the animals graze. This means that one's daily selenium intake can only be determined to a limited extent. The The best known source of selenium is Brazil nuts. 6 to 8 nuts contain almost 10 times the daily intake recommended by the DGE.

The following foods contain particularly high levels of selenium:

Brazil nuts
Yellowfin tuna
halibut
sardines
ham
Shrimps
beef steak
Turkey
beef liver
chicken
cottage cheese
Brown rice
Beef
Ei
Whole grain bread
Baked Beans
oatmeal

What benefits does selenium offer to the human body?

Research has shown that selenium offers a number of health benefits, including antioxidant Effects, support of thyroid function and strengthening of the immune system.

Selenium for asthmatics

In a study, researchers wanted to find out whether certain minerals in the blood (zinc, copper and selenium) are related to asthma problems. The scientists examined 25 people with asthma and 25 people without asthma. They measured the amount of these minerals in their blood and examined some markers that indicate the level of oxidative stress and inflammation. It turned out that People with asthma had lower zinc and selenium levels and higher copper levels than healthy peopleThey also found that asthma patients had lower activities of some antioxidant enzymes (which help control oxidative stress) and higher levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.

The authors concluded that abnormal levels of these minerals could worsen oxidative damage and inflammation in asthma patients. This could also increase the ratio of certain immune cells and impair lung function. These Minerals could therefore be important for the development of asthmatic diseases.

A second study looked at what happens when people with asthma who rely on corticosteroids (medications often used to control asthma symptoms) are given selenium. The researchers found that participants required fewer inhaled and systemic corticosteroids after taking selenium for 24 to 96 weeks. The concentration in their blood and red blood cells increased. No one had any bad side effects and it seemed like the participants tolerated it well.

Antioxidant effect

Selenium plays a key role in combating oxidative stressbecause it is part of the antioxidant enzymes that help prevent the formation of free radicals. These free radicals can damage cell structures and contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

cancer prevention

Research suggests that adequate selenium intake can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Scientists analyzed 69 different studies related to the essential trace element and cancer. They used some statistical methods to combine and analyze all the data from these studies.

They found that People with a high selenium intake had a generally lower risk of cancer. When looking at specific cancers, they found that high selenium levels reduced the risk of breast, lung, esophageal, stomach and prostate cancers, but did not appear to be associated with a lower risk of colon, bladder and skin cancers.

Support of thyroid function

Selenium is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. A deficiency in selenium can therefore lead to problems with thyroid function.

One study looked at how much selenium people got in two areas of China where the soil contained different amounts of the molecule. They found that people in the area with less selenium in the soil were more likely to have thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis. In fact, they were almost twice as likely to develop these problems as people in areas with higher selenium levels in the soil. This suggests that inadequate selenium supply could increase the risk of thyroid disease. So higher intake of the vital nutrient could help prevent these problems, especially in places where people do not normally get enough selenium from their diet.

Another potent antioxidant is the antioxidant found in broccoli. Sulforaphane.

Selenium and Longevity

The link between selenium and longevity has been studied for decades. In one study, researchers examined the diets of more than 1.000 elderly people in China and found that those who had higher levels of selenium in their diets were less likely to die over the course of the study than those with lower levels. Another study found that people with higher levels of selenium in their blood had a lower risk of death over a 10-year period than those with lower levels of selenium.

In addition to its potential anti-aging properties, selenium may also help strengthen the immune system and protect against infections. Studies have shown that it can increase the activity of certain immune cells, such as natural killer cells, which are important for fighting off infections. It may also help protect against viral infections, such as flu and HIV/AIDS.

Selenium is also thought to play a role in cognitive function. Studies have found that it may help slow age-related cognitive decline by protecting neurons from damage caused by oxidative stress. In addition, it may help improve mood by increasing serotonin production in the brain.

Although there is still much research to be done on the potential benefits of selenium for longevity, it appears to be a promising supplement for promoting overall health and well-being as we age. It can be difficult to get enough selenium from food alone, so taking a supplement may be beneficial when dietary intake alone is insufficient.

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