“Selenium-active” - instructions for use, side effects and contraindications: what is it taken for, what diseases does it treat, how to take it, what will happen if there is not enough selenium?

pharmachologic effect

Antioxidant: Selenium and vitamin C are key antioxidants in the body. They have a powerful neutralizing effect on free radical compounds, protecting cells from destruction.

Thanks to selenium, the body synthesizes the important enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which neutralizes the most dangerous and persistent free radicals.

Antitoxic: helps remove toxic heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.) from the body.

Hepatoprotective: protects the liver from exposure to harmful substances (toxins, heavy metal compounds).

Immunostimulating : increases immunity, performance, and body resistance. With the participation of selenium, up to 80% of energy (ATP) is formed.

Antitumor: prevents the degeneration of cells into malignant ones.

Regulates the functioning and interaction of systems and organs: selenium and vitamin are constituent elements of about 200 hormones and enzymes of the body.

Participates in the formation of coenzyme Q-10, which is necessary for the functioning of the spine, heart muscle, thyroid gland and other endocrine organs.

It has been established that selenium is extremely important for the full functioning of the cardiovascular system, and its deficiency increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease by up to 70%.

Affects reproductive function: it is part of testosterone, which plays an important role in the formation of sperm in men, as well as in the successful course of pregnancy in women.

Normalizes cholesterol metabolism: under the influence of ascorbic acid, the formation of low and very low density lipoproteins (the so-called bad cholesterol) is reduced.

Prevents the development of anemia: vitamin C helps the absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract, without which the formation of hemoglobin is impossible.

Restores connective tissue : procollagen and collagen are synthesized with the participation of selenium and vitamin C.

Selenium: general information

The mineral is one of the most important trace elements for the human body. It is contained in small quantities, measured in micrograms (for comparison, 100 mg = 100,000 mcg), but ensures the normal functioning of all body systems . Selenium has the following effects:

• Antioxidant - destroys free radicals, protecting cells from negative processes, and also reduces the intensity of oxidative processes.
• Antitumor – the mineral prevents the malignant degeneration of cells and increases the effectiveness of cancer treatment.
• Antitoxic – removes heavy metal salts, toxins and other toxic compounds from the body.
• Immunomodulatory - increases the body's resistance to infections.
• Hematopoietic – increases the formation of leukocytes and helps to increase hemoglobin.
• Hepatoprotective – protects the liver from toxins and regulates fat metabolism.
• Improves reproductive function in men - it is part of testosterone, which is involved in the production of sperm.
• Regulates the functioning of the reproductive system in women.
• Ensures normal functioning of the thyroid gland - selenium is contained in all enzymes and hormones that regulate the functioning of the endocrine system.
• Cosmetological - selenium is involved in the production of skin collagen and is a building component for hair and nails, and its antioxidant properties and effect on metabolic processes make it possible to successfully use selenium for weight loss.
• Improves digestion by regulating the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
• Reduces blood cholesterol.
• Improves visual acuity.

You can learn more about the benefits of the microelement and its necessity for the normal functioning of all organs and systems from the article “All the secrets about the lunar mineral - selenium. Why does the body need it? In what form is selenium best absorbed? The microelement is best absorbed in organic form when supplied with food. Seafood (shrimp, squid, fatty fish), meat, animal by-products (especially meat and liver), brown rice, milk, full-fat cottage cheese, Brazil nuts, eggs, mushrooms, oatmeal, barley, olive oil are especially rich in selenium. But to preserve the mineral, the temperature regime during cooking is important - with prolonged heat treatment, the amount of the microelement decreases.

It is believed that a balanced diet should provide the body with a basic daily dose of selenium (55 mcg for women and 70 mcg for men), but in practice, due to the poor quality of products and long preparation, less than 50 mcg per day comes from food.

In such cases, a mild selenium deficiency may occur, which is manifested by the following symptoms:

• brittleness of hair and nails;
• peeling of the skin;
• fast fatiguability;
• pathologies of the endocrine system;
• decreased visual acuity;
• pathologies of the liver;
• male infertility.

In addition, in the presence of factors such as various diseases, reduced immunity, intense physical activity, stress and living or working in unfavorable environmental conditions, the body’s need for microelements increases significantly. In such cases, selenium is used as a dietary supplement or a component of vitamin-mineral complexes and medications.

Preparations with selenium contain an artificially obtained organic form of the microelement - selexen.

Selenium supplements are produced in the form of powders, capsules, tablets and drops for internal use. Brewer's yeast with selenium and special vinegar are also produced, but the most popular form of release is tablets.

Before using selenium products, you should consult your doctor.

Indications for use

Indications for use are:

1. Used as an antioxidant.
2. For diseases of the heart and blood vessels: arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease (coronary heart disease), hypertension, in the recovery period after myocardial infarction.
3. To prevent the development of malignant diseases, as well as during chemotherapy.
4. For atherosclerosis to reduce cholesterol levels.
5. For diseases of the spine and joints, including after injuries and fractures.
6. For allergies and bronchial asthma.
7. When living in difficult environmental conditions (exhaust gases, environmental pollution with heavy metals, exposure to radiation).
8. To boost immunity, improve performance and endurance.
9. For oligospermia and other types of male infertility.

Instructions for use

Compound

The composition of 1 Selenium-Active tablet includes:

As can be seen from the table, Selenium-Active contains 2 active components: selenium and vitamin C.

Properties of Selenium-active components

All the medicinal properties of the Selenium-Active dietary supplement are due to the selenium and ascorbic acid that are part of it.

Selenium

1. Selenium is an essential element of the body's antioxidant defense. Vitamins, flavonoids, coenzymes cannot replace selenium.
2. It is part of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that neutralizes the most dangerous and aggressive free radicals, precisely those that other antioxidants are unable to cope with. If there is not enough selenium, then this most important part of the antioxidant defense simply does not work.
3. Selenium deficiency not only reduces immunity and performance, but also leads to the development of cardiovascular and cancer diseases, the accumulation of heavy metals and premature aging, diabetes and joint diseases, male infertility and labor weakness in women.
4. Danish scientists have shown that selenium prevents the development of heart and artery diseases, and its deficiency increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 70%.
5. Selenium protects against poisoning by lead, cadmium, mercury, tobacco smoke and exhaust gases. It prevents destruction and necrosis of the liver, promoting the removal of heavy metals from the body.
6. Allergic diseases and the risk of developing bronchial asthma are closely related to selenium metabolism.

All the beneficial properties of selenium

In Finland, after the introduction of selenium into the diet of the population, the number of cardiovascular pathologies decreased by 2.5 times, the number of cancer diseases decreased by 1.8 times, and diseases of the endocrine system by 77%.

According to the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the results of clinical studies, 80% of Russians are deficient in selenium. In 1994, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation decided to eliminate selenium deficiency among Russian residents.

Ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant, due to which it regulates redox processes in the body and prevents the harmful effects of free radicals on the components of the cell membrane and cell contents. In addition, ascorbic acid is necessary for the restoration of other antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin A.

All the beneficial properties of vitamin C

additional information

The drug Selenium-Active® passed clinical trials at the State Research Center for Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation and the Central Military Clinical Hospital of the Russian Federation named after. A.A. Vishnevsky.

Indications for use: why Selenium-Active is taken

Take dietary supplements as an additional source of selenium and vitamin C for the following diseases and conditions:

1. Prevention of cancer development
2. When undergoing courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
3. Diseases of the cardiovascular system: ischemic heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmia; to accelerate the recovery of the heart muscle after myocardial infarction
4. Atherosclerosis - to normalize cholesterol and improve the elasticity of vessel walls
5. Joint diseases, osteochondrosis, injuries and bone fractures
6. After surgery
7. Preventing the accumulation of heavy metals and associated liver damage
8. For cholecystitis and hepatitis - to improve liver function and normalize bile formation
9. Diseases of the digestive tract: gastritis, colitis, pancreatitis
10. Bronchial asthma, allergies
11. Male infertility (especially with oligospermia)
12. Environmentally unfavorable conditions, especially in cases of environmental pollution with heavy metals and exposure to radiation
13. Conditions of overwork or chronic fatigue
14. For smokers to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, tar and the heavy metals they contain
15. Acute and chronic diseases - to increase the body’s immune forces
16. For women during pregnancy and breastfeeding - to ensure the full development of the child

As can be seen from the list, Selenium-Active is taken for various conditions. But these are all particulars, and there is only one global reason - antioxidant protection of cells, organs and tissues from free radicals.

Contraindications

Individual intolerance to the components included in the dietary supplement.

How to take: dosage, frequency and timing of administration

1. Take Selenium-Active orally with meals.
2. Adults and children over 14 years old - take 1 tablet 1 time per day.
3. Duration of treatment - 1 month.

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnant and lactating women are not contraindicated to take Selenium-Active, but it is recommended to consult a doctor before use.

Release form, composition

The drug contains an artificially created organic form of selenium - Selexen. Its advantages are that Selexen has the ability to accumulate in the body, releasing selenium only when the body needs it.

This “dosing” mechanism prevents an overdose of the drug from occurring if taken in excess.

Selenium-active is available only in the form of tablets, which include:

• Selexen – 210 mcg (50 mcg selenium);
• vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – 50 mg;
• sorbitol (as an excipient) – 200 mg.

Selena-active packaging contains 30, 60, 180 tablets (in blisters of 10 pieces).

Drug interactions

To get a positive effect for vision, thyroid gland, skin and other components of the body, you need to take the biological supplement correctly.

With the simultaneous use of vitamins C and E, better absorption of the chemical element occurs. That is why they are often released together.

We recommend you learn: The healing properties of Jodis concentrate for baths at any age

Glucose and sugars can slow down the absorption period of Selenium.

During the course of treatment, it is recommended to give up sweets, otherwise the result may not be as expected.

Side effects

Hypersensitivity reactions to dietary supplement components are possible.

The organic form of selenium in the preparation prevents the entry of excess selenium into the body. However, you should know the symptoms of overdose:

• smell of garlic from the mouth;

• metallic taste in the mouth;
• nausea;
• increased brittleness of nails and hair loss;
• sweating;
• dermatitis.

Side effects and contraindications when using Selenium-active

Although Selexen from the Selenium-Active drug is absorbed only when the body needs selenium, if it is taken for a long time, there may be an overdose of the drug. It is expressed by the following signs :

• Garlic odor from the mouth
• Metal taste in mouth
• Yellowed skin of hands and face
• Profuse sweat
• Nausea and decreased appetite
• Hair loss
• Brittle nails
• Skin diseases
• Nervousness
• Arthritis

Available contraindications for Selenium-Active:

• Allergy to the drug
• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Children under 14 years of age

Analogs

There are no complete analogues of the dietary supplement Selenium-Active yet, but in pharmacies you can find many different preparations with selenium. They differ in the form of the microelement included in the composition:

1. Neoselenium – contains mineral (inorganic) selenium. It is a drop for oral administration. Can be used in childhood. The drug should be taken with caution, because if consumed excessively, a toxic form of selenium, hydroselenidion, is formed in the body.

2. Brewer's yeast with selenium - yeast combined with a solution of inorganic selenium leads to the formation of its organic form. The preparation contains 20–30% organic trace elements, the rest is stored in inorganic form. It is recommended to take courses of short duration. The yeast flora contained in the supplement can provoke fungal dysbiosis.
3. Voshchenko fruit and berry syrups contain natural organic selenium. They are a solution of natural juices and decoctions of herbs and plants.

In addition, selenium is included in most multivitamins and mineral supplements.

Who especially needs selenium?

People in old age do not have enough selenium
. There are situations when selenium is especially lacking :

• Working in hazardous industries
• Frequent medication use
• Senile age 90 years or more
• Diseases of the stomach and intestines
• Lack of selenium in the soil

With a long-term lack of selenium in the body, the following diseases can develop :

• Thyroid problems
• Infertility
• Anemia
• Heart problems
• Cataract
• Atherosclerosis
• Frequent inflammatory diseases
• Skin diseases
• Liver diseases
• In childhood – poor growth or stunted growth
• Lung diseases

So, now we know for what diseases we need to take Selenium-Active.

Reviews

Reviews of Selenium-active dietary supplement are only positive. After a course of treatment, patients note:

• reduction in the frequency of colds;
• increasing endurance and performance;
• lowering blood cholesterol levels;
• normalization of blood pressure indicators;
• beneficial effect on skin, hair and nails.

Disadvantages noted by patients:

• mono-composition, because the drug contains only selenium and vitamin C, and some people want to get a drug that replenishes the lack of all vitamins and microelements;
• admission only to persons over 14 years of age;
• restrictions for women during pregnancy and lactation.

Rating of the best vitamins with selenium

Brief information about the chemical element, general effect on the body

Selenium is a non-metal chemical element consisting of isotopes that was first discovered in 1817 by Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius in waste from the manufacture of sulfuric acid. Under natural conditions, the microelement is found in soil, some foods, and water.

The substance is one of the main components of the normal functioning of the body. Its benefits are:

• direct participation in the processes of protein formation in muscle tissue, the formation of red blood cells;
• immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory effects;
• neutralizing the harmful effects of foreign microorganisms, removing toxic substances;
• maintaining the normal state of the nervous system;
• activation of the absorption and effects of ascorbic acid and tocopherol (vitamin E);
• strengthening vascular walls, which is important for the prevention of cardiovascular pathologies;
• accelerating the recovery of liver cells;
• stimulation of the endocrine system;
• participation in the synthesis of hormones and vital enzymes;
• normalization of the reproductive system;
• preventing the development of tumor processes;
• improving the condition of skin, hair, nails.

Note! Selenium is able to minimize the harmful effects of nicotine or alcohol, so people with bad habits especially need to provide the body with this trace element.

"Selenium active". Reviews from doctors

Doctors strongly recommend this drug for people living in polluted areas or working in unfavorable conditions. Doctors prescribe Selenium Active to their patients who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome or long-term smokers to reduce the harmful effects of nicotine.

You can buy dietary supplements at almost any pharmacy. The drug is sold in cardboard packages, inside of which there is a blister with Selenium Active tablets and instructions. Reviews from doctors indicate that the drug can be used to prevent many diseases, such as colitis, pancreatitis, male infertility, gastritis, cholecystitis and many others. Therefore, when you see a box with this miraculous remedy, think: maybe you should test it for yourself?

Products containing selenium

The undisputed leader in selenium content is the Brazil nut: 1917 ±230 mcg per 100 g of product. It turns out that eating a couple of Brazil nuts per day provides the daily requirement of selenium.

Fig. 1 - Products containing selenium.

Selenium can also be obtained from various nutritional supplements, vitamin and mineral complexes, but not all of them are suitable for consumption. Such preparations may contain an inorganic form of selenium, which is poorly absorbed by the body.

What is selenium and what is it for?

The benefit of selenium lies in the powerful support of enzymes - glutathione peroxidases. They play a key role in detoxifying vital organs. Thanks to this beneficial property of the element, the body is cleansed, overall well-being improves, the skin becomes elastic and smooth, and protective mechanisms are activated to provide protection against oxidative stress. This is the name for the property of cells to oxidize, in which they are damaged or completely die. Selenium benefits five of the known eight glutathione perxidases. However, improper use of microelement preparations can be harmful to humans.

The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of hormones and their properties in the body. When taken with food, beneficial selenium-containing enzymes allow the conversion of T4 hormones into active T3.

Comment! It has been scientifically confirmed that uncomplicated dysfunction of the thyroid gland can be corrected by following a diet that includes healthy selenium-containing foods.

The benefits of selenium properties for the thyroid gland are reflected in the body immediately: immunity to various diseases increases, hormonal levels are leveled.

Selenium for a woman’s body: contraindications and benefits

The powerful antioxidant selenium allows you to maintain skin elasticity longer; this effect is especially effective when taking vitamin E, which helps the longevity microelement be absorbed faster. The mineral selenium is necessary for the body to maintain healthy hair, accelerating its natural growth. If you have dandruff, the microelement included in the composition will effectively neutralize this problem.

The benefits of selenium for the female body are invaluable in the process of losing weight. Its property of accelerating metabolism has a positive effect on the rate of breakdown of stored fat, as a result of which a nutritious diet combined with exercise will give faster results. The only contraindication for use is an excessive dose of the microelement.

Is selenium suitable for pregnant and lactating women?

Pregnant and lactating women are considered the most vulnerable to various colds due to micronutrient deficiencies. To avoid poor health, weakening of internal organs, the consequences of bearing and feeding a baby, and to reduce harm to the body, it is necessary to constantly maintain immunity. This can easily be done using the beneficial properties of selenium-containing preparations.

Attention! Be sure to consult your doctor before consuming selenium.

A common occurrence after the birth of a child is dull hair, falling out teeth, diseases of the joints and spine. To avoid this, it is worth assessing the benefits of selenium properties in advance. Its intake with food will help get rid of the worst enemies of the young mother, causing irreparable harm to the body:

• lack of sleep;
• constant fatigue;
• decreased immunity.

Signs of selenium deficiency include depression, constant headaches, depression, and decreased immunity. If you notice these symptoms, you need to adjust your diet and add healthy selenium-containing foods to your diet.

What is the daily dose of Selenium for the body?

Substances such as iodine, zinc and selenium should be taken in consultation with your doctor. There is no single dose of the drug that is suitable for every patient.

Depending on age, mental and physical stress, bad habits and rhythm of life, an individual volume of the drug is selected.

It will be good if you first take tests and determine the deficiency of the element in the body.

Instructions for use recommend taking 50 mcg of the product per day. If there is a strong influence of negative factors or during illness, the dose can be increased 8 times.

The supplement is known to be safe to use in a daily amount of 400 mcg. For children, the required amount of the substance is determined by age, body weight, nutrition and the strength of physical activity.

Many preparations with selenium contain additional elements. This must be taken into account when calculating the daily dosage of medications.

Symptoms of selenium deficiency in the body

Selenium is one of the many microelements that support the body, so determining its deficiency can be quite difficult. Environmental damage, soil and water pollution causes selenium deficiency even in rural areas, where there seems to be an abundance of healthy foods high in vitamins.

Important! It is necessary to know the signs of selenium deficiency in order to pay attention to them in time.

Deficiency symptoms:

• sudden deterioration in performance;
• poorly healing wounds;
• frequent colds;
• poor tolerance to harmful gases;
• decreased coordination and/or vision;
• weakening of sexual functions.

Having noticed such changes, you need to try to adjust your diet and add more healthy selenium-containing plant foods according to the season. If after some time the condition does not stabilize, then it is better to consult a specialist.

special instructions

Among the components of the dietary supplement Selenium-Active is sorbitol.

The product does not have any effect on a person’s ability to drive vehicles and high-precision mechanisms, the operation of which requires increased concentration and reaction speed.

Selenium-Active is a biological food supplement that is not a medicine.

Before starting use, be sure to consult with your doctor.

Clinical studies on this dietary supplement were conducted at the Research Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the State Research Center for Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

How to use? Dosage

How long do you need to take dietary supplements to feel a positive result? How often and in what doses should I use Selenium Active? Reviews about the duration of use before any tangible results appear indicate different periods. Some people feel an improvement in their body’s condition already a week after starting to take it (for example, they may feel a surge of strength), others after a longer period of time. But in order to experience truly serious changes, you need to complete the full course of treatment provided for by the instructions. It is valid for one month. Tablets can be taken by adults and children, starting from 14 years old, 1 piece with meals. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before taking it.

What foods contain selenium?

Selenium deficiency can be avoided if you eat properly and nutritiously, and consume plant foods with benefit. Fast food and quick snacks, which cause harm to all vital organs, have become commonplace for most urban residents, hence the need to saturate the body with useful microelements. If you adjust your diet by adding selenium-containing products of plant origin, you can satisfy all the basic needs of organs and systems.

• Sea kale is considered to be the richest in terms of the amount of selenium and the preservation of its properties. Its specific taste is justified by its benefits. By adding seaweed to your main dish twice a week, you can completely cover the body’s need for healthy selenium.
• Sea greens compete with nuts, among which nutritionists especially highlight cashews, almonds, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, which fully retain the beneficial properties of selenium.
• Cereals and cereals are the basis of proper nutrition.
  Selenium is necessary for children, so porridge is one of the first complementary foods. In addition to supplying the body with useful microelements, they have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to increased cleansing properties of selenium. Important! The beneficial properties of corn, wheat, oatmeal and millet have been proven by nutritionists.
• Vegetarians and vegans include a huge amount of legumes in their diet, which have many beneficial properties. These products are an ideal replacement for animal protein foods and contain enough beneficial selenium to keep you active and healthy. It is found in high concentrations in beans, lentils, and peas.

Plant foods are an ideal source of microelements. Therefore, it is necessary to eat healthy vegetables and fruits daily. Particularly beneficial are non-thermally processed foods that retain maximum healing properties. Salads, smoothies, and simply chopped fresh herbs will become indispensable allies in the fight for health and well-being.

How does selenium interact with vitamins?

It’s not difficult to figure out why the body needs this mineral, but vitamins, in particular E and C, play an important role in the body’s absorption of the microelement. When interacting with them, the antioxidant effect of selenium is most fully manifested, and, accordingly, the fight against aging and other problems is effective.

The correct balance of microelements and vitamins makes it possible to resist age-related changes in vision (in particular, prevents the development of cataracts), improves the condition of the cardiovascular system (protects against stroke and heart attack, arthritis and various vascular damage). This is why it is important to maintain selenium at a certain level.

Beneficial properties for the body, renewing and supporting the immune system, allow you to resist dangerous diseases (AIDS, cancer, heart disease), so you need to carefully monitor your diet in order to be able to correct it in time and fill the body with the necessary microelements and vitamins.

Benefits of selenium

Here are just a few ways selenium benefits your body:

1. Acts as an antioxidant and protects against oxidative stress.
2. May help protect against cancer.
3. Increases immunity.
4. Improves blood flow and reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.
5. Regulates the function of the thyroid gland.
6. Increases life expectancy.
7. Helps reduce asthma symptoms.
8. Improves fertility.

Acts as an antioxidant and protects against oxidative stress

Selenium benefits include the ability to fight aging and help the immune system by reducing free radicals. When selenium works together with other antioxidants, their effect on the body is enhanced. For example, when selenium works together with vitamin E, it becomes much easier for the body to fight oxidative stress and protect against cancers such as prostate and colon cancer.

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

May help protect against cancer

Selenium is especially beneficial if you have a weak immune system or are more likely to develop cancer due to heredity. Treatments using selenium in high doses have shown that it has significant anti-cancer properties.

Research shows that selenium is effective in reducing cancer risk, cancer mortality, and cancer severity—especially in liver, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers.

Selenium acts like a little mechanic inside the body. It enters the cell nucleus, where the DNA and genome are stored, and finds damage. It binds to protective antioxidants such as glutathione and then works to reduce and repair DNA damage, which if left unchecked can lead to cancerous cell mutation and tumor growth.

This is because selenium does the special job of activating selenoproteins, acting as an enzyme, which helps the antioxidants do their job better. There is evidence that the benefits of selenium include not only the ability to reduce the risk of cancer, but also help slow cancer development and tumor growth ().

Research has shown that a high dose of 200 milligrams of selenium per day may be effective in protecting DNA, which may help reduce the risk of cell mutation and cancer.

Other studies show that areas of the world with little to no selenium in the soil have an increased risk of cancer compared to areas that have higher levels of selenium in their soils. Thus, in some cases, selenium prevents the growth of cancer cells.

Boosts immunity

According to research, selenium is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and may also be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of viral infections.

Improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases

Low selenium concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Selenium supplements or increasing your intake of selenium-rich foods may help prevent the development of coronary heart disease.

It is believed that selenium may benefit heart health through its ability to fight inflammation, improve blood flow, reduce free radical oxidative stress, and aid antioxidant activity.

Observational studies to date have linked high selenium concentrations to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. However, these studies can sometimes produce misleading evidence, and therefore the results are still inconclusive regarding whether selenium will be prescribed to patients with cardiovascular disease in the future ().

Regulates thyroid function

Numerous studies now show 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 think of your body as a production plant, your thyroid gland is the boss, responsible for regulating the entire production system, so when the thyroid gland is not working properly, there are many serious, noticeable consequences.

The thyroid gland controls numerous important body functions, including appetite, sleep, body temperature, weight, energy and more.

A problem with proper thyroid function can lead to symptoms such as irritability, muscle weakness, fatigue, weight gain or loss, trouble sleeping and many other reactions, so getting enough selenium benefits the thyroid and the body in many important ways.

Selenium deficiency correlates with problems within the thyroid gland and how it synthesizes necessary hormones, so 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 gland, regulating the production of reactive oxygen within the gland and protecting it from antibodies that can cause thyroid disease ().

Therefore, scientists are actively studying the benefits of selenium to see if they can help patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease), diffuse toxic goiter (Graves' disease or Graves' disease), and pregnant women with antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO). Selenium may be able to boost immunity and reduce autoimmune reactions and inflammation in these people.

Increases life expectancy

Research has shown how important this vital mineral is for human health and longevity. If you want to live a long, vibrant life, selenium is definitely a mineral you need to include in your diet.

Selenium has also been studied in relation to the treatment of dozens of diseases, from asthma to arthritis; starting from thyroid diseases and ending with heart diseases. The risk of these diseases increases with age, so consuming enough selenium can help protect the body and contribute to longevity.

Selenium is a trace mineral, which means we only need small amounts of it. However, our body is able to quickly eliminate selenium as it plays an important role in many important body functions. This is why it is important to consume it regularly, especially as you age. This will allow you to reap all of the benefits of selenium mentioned above.

Helps reduce asthma symptoms

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

Experts believe that selenium supplementation may be a useful adjunctive treatment for patients with chronic asthma. However, more research is needed before this becomes common practice, as it has not yet fully determined the mechanism by which selenium affects lung function.

May Help Boost Fertility

Selenium is essential for sperm motility, and it also increases blood circulation - two key factors that contribute to conception and the treatment of infertility. Selenium is included in the membrane of sperm mitochondria and can influence the behavior and function of sperm as they move through the vaginal canal.

It has been reported that both low and high concentrations of selenium in semen appear to have a negative effect on sperm count, so stick to recommended doses when taking selenium supplements. This is extremely important for increasing fertility.

Some studies also suggest that selenium may even reduce the risk of miscarriage, however at this point more research has been focused on infertility in men than in women when it comes to taking selenium supplements ().

Selenium - a mineral of longevity

The antioxidant properties of selenium allow it to have the same positive effect on the body as vitamin E. Both substances are equally important for various physiological processes in the body and can be used interchangeably.

Selenium, being a powerful antioxidant, promotes the oxidation of free radicals, resulting in normal collagen production and the skin remaining elastic. That is why selenium is simply irreplaceable for a woman’s body.

In addition, the microelement in question ensures the integrity of nucleic acids. Thus, the occurrence of gene mutations is prevented and the transmission and storage of hereditary information is ensured.

The consequences of selenium fasting may not be the most pleasant. Against the background of mineral deficiency, the body begins to age faster, and life expectancy is significantly shortened.