Selenium is a vital trace element found in food that plays a role in the production of active thyroid hormones, immune system functioning, and cognitive health, and is an antioxidant. 

Selenium deficiency has been implicated in cardiovascular disease, infertility, my degenerative diseases, and cognitive decline. 

1. Boosts Immunity/Fights Viruses 

Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is important for immune response, thyroid health, oxidative damage prevention, and many other functions. 

According to studies, selenium is needed for the proper functioning of the immune system, and can also be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of viruses including HIV. In patients who already contracted HIV, selenium has been shown to also be useful in slowing down the progression of the disease into AIDS. Adequate selenium nutrition should be considered as a defense against viral infectious diseases.

2. Acts as an Antioxidant

Selenium benefits include the ability to fight the aging process and help the immune system by reducing free radical damage. Selenium has a synergistic effect with other antioxidants like Vitamin E enabling the body to fight oxidative stress and to defend against cancers like prostate and colon cancer.

Selenium is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase, which is an important enzyme for processes that protect lipids (fats) in cell membranes. Selenium is needed to fight oxidative degradation of cells and to protect against mutation and DNA damage that can cause disease. 

3. Helps Protect Against Cancer

Selenium is especially helpful if you have a weak immune system or a history of cancer in your family. Interventions using selenium treatments at high doses have shown that selenium benefits anti-cancer abilities within the body. According to studies, selenium is effective at reducing the risk of cancer incidence, cancer caused mortality, and severity of cancers specifically in the liver, prostate, colorectal and lungs. It acts like a little mechanic within the body. It goes into the nucleus of cell where the DNA and genome are stored and finds damage. Selenium attaches to protective antioxidants like glutathione and then works to reduce and repair damage done to DNA, which left uncontrolled could lead to cancerous cell mutation and tumor growth.

It does this because selenium has a special job of activating seleno-proteins, acting in an enzymic role that helps antioxidants to do their job best. There is evidence that selenium benefits include not only being able cut cancer risk but also help to slow down existing cancer progression and tumor growth.

Studies have shown that a high dose of 200 mg. a day of selenium can be effective in protecting DNA which can reduce the risk for cell mutation and cancer development.

Other studies show that in areas of the world where the soil is lowest in selenium, cancer risk is increased when compared to areas that have higher levels of selenium naturally available.

4. Improves Blood Flow & Lowers Chance of Heart Disease

Low selenium concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Selenium supplements or an increase of selenium-rich foods may be able to help prevent coronary heart disease. It’s believed that selenium can benefit heart health once again, by its ability to fight inflammation increase blood flow, reduce free radical oxidative stress, and help with antioxidant activity. To date, selenium concentrations have been inversely associated with coronary heart disease risk in observational studies, however observational studies can at times lead to misleading evidence and so findings are still inconclusive as to whether selenium will be commonly prescribed for heart disease patients going forward.

5. Regulates Thyroid Function

Research is now showing, through numerous studies, that there is a link between thyroid metabolism and selenium deficiency. Selenium acts as a catalyst for the production of active thyroid hormones. If you imagine that your body is a manufacturing facility, the your thyroid would be the main boss in charge of regulating the whole operating system, so when the thyroid isn’t working properly, there are many serious, noticeable consequences. The thyroid gland controls numerous important everyday body functions including appetite, sleep, temperature, weight, energy, and more.

A problem with proper thyroid function can result in negative symptoms such as irritability, muscle weakness, fatigue, weight gain or loss, trouble sleeping, and many other reactions, therefore acquiring proper amounts of selenium benefits the thyroid and body in many important ways.

A deficiency in selenium is correlated with problems within the thyroid and how it synthesizes the proper hormones, therefore more and more we can see the value of using selenium supplements to treat autoimmune and thyroid disorders.

Selenium acts as a powerful protector of the thyroid and regulates the production of reactive oxygen within the gland, and protects it from antibodies that can create thyroid disease.

For these reasons, selenium benefits are also being investigated to see if they can help patients with Hashimoto’s disease, Grave’s disease, and in pregnant women with anti-TPO antibodies. Selenium may be able to increase immunity, lower autoimmune reactions, and to lower inflammation in these populations.

6. Increases Longevity

Studies have shown just how important this vital mineral is to our health and longevity. If you want to live a long, vibrant life, selenium is definitely a mineral you want to include in your diet. Selenium has also been studied for the treatment of dozens of conditions that range from asthma to arthritis; from thyroid disorder to heart disease. The risk of these conditions increase as we age, so consuming selenium can help to defend the body and contribute to a long life.

Selenium is a trace mineral, which means we only need a small amount of it. However our body is able to flush selenium out of your system somewhat quickly since it plays an actionable role in many important body functions, therefore it’s important to consume it regularly especially as you age in order to take advantage of all of these mentioned selenium benefits.

7. Helps Reduce Asthma Symptoms

Observational studies have demonstrated that patients with chronic asthma may have lower levels of selenium. According to studies, when people with asthma took selenium supplements, they experienced less asthma related symptoms than those who took a placebo.

Experts think that selenium supplementation may be a useful add-on treatment to medication for patients with chronic asthma. However more research is needed before this becomes a regular practice, as they have yet to determine selenium’s full effect on lung function.

8. Can Help Boost Fertility

Selenium is required for proper sperm motility and also increases blood flow, two key components involved in conception and beating infertility. Selenium is incorporated in the sperm mitochondria capsule and may affect the behavior and function of the sperm as they move through the vaginal canal.

It appears that both low and high sperm selenium concentrations are reported to have a negative influence on the number of sperm, therefore aiming to meet the recommendation but not to far exceed it is important for fertility.

Some studies also show that selenium may even reduce the risk of miscarriage, however at this point more research has been dedicated to infertility in men than in women when it comes to selenium supplementation. 

For more information please feel free to call our office at 904-834-2337.

Yours in health,

Dr. Steven M. Nickels, DC, NMD, DACBN, DCBCN

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