Selenium

Selenium and vitamin E act synergistically in the body. The thyroxine-deiodinase enzyme is a selenoprotein, so a reduced intake of iodine in the diet can be a factor in the development of goiter. Many studies suggest that people, especially women, who have low levels of selenium and iodine in their blood, can develop a thyroid problem, and supplementation with this mineral in such conditions is very justified. Selenium is involved in protein synthesis and protection of the body from toxic substances, such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead. Many clinical and experimental studies have shown that selenium plays a very important role in prostaglandin metabolism (controls inflammatory processes), in cardiovascular hemostasis (prevents oxidative cell damage).

Most people get enough selenium from a variety of foods. Certain groups of people have a problem with a low concentration of selenium in the body, namely people undergoing dialysis, HIV-positive people and people who eat only local food, grown on soil with a low selenium content.

Selenium deficiency: Selenium deficiency is a very rare occurrence. Most often, its deficiency can cause Keshan’s disease (a specific type of cardiomyopathy) and male infertility. Selenium deficiency can also cause Kashin-Beck disease, which is characterized by pain, swelling and loss of movement in the joints.

Selenium supplementation is immunostimulatory, as measured by a wide range of parameters, including T-cell proliferation, NK cell activity, innate immune cell function, and many others. The need for selenium increases with viral infections. In humans with selenium deficiency, oxidative stress can cause viral genome mutation, resulting in increased microbial virulence. Many clinical studies have shown that selenium improves sperm quality and motility, so selenium is an indispensable part of male infertility therapy.

Degenerative diseases of the central nervous system are significant causes of human mortality. The causes of these diseases are mostly unknown, and the diagnosis is very complicated. A large number of studies look at the lack of minerals, such as calcium and selenium, and conclude that their deficiency contributes to the development of neurological diseases. Many studies have shown that selenium supplementation can reduce the risk of developing complications of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

Selenium excess: Intake of high doses of selenium over a long period of time can cause the following: nausea, diarrhea, skin rash, irritability, metallic taste in the mouth, hair loss, changes in teeth. Selenium enters into a large number of interactions with medicines, so special caution is needed, in which case you must consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The effect of selenium on prostate health: Pathophysiological changes in the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate adenocarcinoma, are closely related to men’s lifespan. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a major health problem, characterized by the proliferation of smooth muscles and prostate epithelium, which as a result causes various problems, such as pain in the lower abdomen, frequent (night) urination, pain during urination. Oxidative stress caused by chronic inflammation of the prostate is the main trigger for the development of this disease.

Many dietary supplements that contain selenium can be useful in the prevention and treatment of enlarged prostate, due to their antioxidant potential. Studies show that there is an inverse relationship between the concentration of selenium in the serum and the risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia, so the higher the concentration of selenium in the serum, the less likely it is to develop this disease.