Selenium

Role of Selenium in your body:

• At the molecular level selenium acts as a sulfhydryl agent, anti-oxidant (glutathione peroxidase), and as a synergist to vitamin E.
• At the cellular level selenium is involved in the destruction of peroxides, protection of cell membranes, as an electron transfer agent, and in glutathione metabolism.
• Selenium helps maintain the circulatory system, digestion organs, and reproductive system. It is also involved with heavy metal detoxification.

Functions of Selenium

• Circulatory - needed for the heart muscle
• Excretory - protection from toxic metals]
• Respiratory - involved in oxygen transport
• Digestive - intestinal homeostasis
• Nervous - protection from mercury and cadmium
• Reproductive - protection against birth defects
• Endocrine - synergistic with the sex hormones
• Blood - stabilizes the red blood cell membranes
• Integumentary - helps maintain hair, skin and nails
• Immune - enhances immune system in animals
• Metabolic - lipid and sulfhydryl metabolism, may prevent liver necrosis
• Detoxification - help remove mercury, cadmium, silver, arsenic and peroxides

Selenium Deficiency Symptoms

neonatal jaundice, alcoholic liver failure, acanthocytosis, toxic metal poisoning

Symptoms Associated with Excessive Selenium

mottled teeth, selenosis, possibility of malignancy, liver damage, pallor, nervousness, depression, dermatitis, gastrointestinal distress

Synergistic Nutrients

Metabolic - vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione
Absorption - amino acids, peptides, proteins

Antagonistic Nutrients

Metabolic - silver, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, titanium
Absorption - copper, mercury, silver, sulfate

High selenium:

Can be due to the use of Selsun Blue Shampoo. May indicate a low of selenium through the hair.

Low Selenium

May be due to dietary deficiency, which is relatively common, especially among those who eat refined foods

Reasons for Selenium Supplementation

Selenium may be given to help prevent or correct cadmium, mercury, or arsenic toxicity. Selenium is an anti-oxidant and may be given to help protect against free radical damage. Note that excessive selenium supplementation may be toxic.

Sources of Selenium

Seafood - oysters, tuna, mackerel, herring, lobsters, scallops, shrimp, pike, trout, carp, cod, flounder, salmon
Nuts/seeds - brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, walnuts
Grains - wheat germ and bran, brown rice, barley
Miscellaneous - brewer's yeast

Interaction Chart