What is Selenium?
It was at the beginning of the XIXe century that two chemists discovered the selenium. This trace element is present in certain plants, cereals, herbs or yeasts in trace amounts.
Even though the human body needs it in very small amounts, selenium plays a key role and offers multiple benefits.
How can selenium levels in the body be measured? Blood, hair and nail tests may be conducted. Deficiencies exist in people suffering from Crohn’s disease or receiving a parenteral (intravenous) diet not enriched with selenium.
What are the benefits of selenium?
Selenium is a bioelement that has many benefits:
- Detoxifiers: selenium preserves the heart and detoxifies the body of heavy metals and other toxic compounds.
- Anti-inflammatories: it stimulates the immune system and helps the body to fight against infections and more generally against free radicals.
- Regulators: it protects the thyroid, especially in cases of autoimmune diseases and it is essential for the production of thyroid hormones and the transformation of T4 into T3 (like iodine, selenium is more concentrated in the thyroid than in all other body organs).
- Regenerators: it contributes to regenerate the vitamins C and E.
Selenium, but also anti-inflammatory metals such as copper and zinc, would be useful in Alzheimer’s disease. However, studies on the subject remain few.
What foods are high in lysine?
The body does not synthesize selenium. It is therefore essential to find it in food, in foods rich in protein:
- them Brazil nut (1 single nut is sufficient for the recommended daily intake)
- them Pisces (monkfish, hake, tuna) and seafood (oyster, mussel, prawn) are particularly rich in selenium
- lentils
- eggs (especially egg yolks)
- green cabbage
- button mushrooms
- chickpeas
- whole grains
There are also food supplements based on selenium: it is found in the form of capsules, tablets, granules or drinkable solutions.
Note that selenium exists as a homeopathic preparation (Selenium Metallicum) to fight against intellectual and physical fatigue and for its virtues in dermatology (adolescent acne among others).
What is the dosage of selenium?
The daily intake depends on the age and individual needs:
- In a person of more than 15 yearsthe recommended nutritional intake is 55mcg (micrograms) per day.
- At the pregnant or breastfeeding womenit can go up to 60 or even 70 mcg.
- Finally, people aged over 75 can absorb daily 100mcg of selenium without risk to avoid any deficiency.
What are the contraindications and adverse effects of selenium?
- For one thing, selenium allergies are rare. On the other hand, this trace element is not recommended for people who suffer from goiter: selenium deficiency as well as iodine deficiency favor the development of hypertrophy.
- Selenium can cause adverse effects when the tolerable upper intake level is exceeded (400 mcg per day for an adult).
- Be aware, however, that a poisoning may occur if the intake exceeds the 1000 mcg per day. The results? Brittle hair and nails, skin sensitive to inflammation or intense fatigue and nausea.
Source :
Read also: Fenugreek: does it make you fat, what benefits, how to use it?Mallow: origins, health benefits, how to use it?Ginkgo Biloba: benefits, effects on memory, how to use it?Thyme: herbal tea, benefits, how to use it? use ?