what are the health benefits of taking selenium

7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Selenium

1. Acts as a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are compounds in foods that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. ...
2. May reduce your risk of certain cancers. In addition to decreasing oxidative stress, selenium may help lower the risk of certain cancers. ...
3. May protect against heart disease. ...
4. Helps prevent mental decline. ...

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Full Answer

What are the advantages and disadvantages of selenium?

Advantages of Selenium-IDE. Easy to use; Convert test to different programming languages; Programming language knowledge is not required; User can debug; Flexible; Disadvantages of Selenium-IDE. It supports only Firefox browser; Does not support iteration and conditional statements. Does not support error handling. Does not support test script reuse.

What are the effects of too much selenium?

What Is the Danger of Too Much Selenium in the Body?

• Safe Dosage. The Institute of Medicine sets the recommended dietary allowances of selenium at 55 micrograms daily for the majority of people age 14 and older.
• Overdose Risks. The first indicator that you've reached toxic levels of selenium, or selenosis, is a garlic odor in your breath and a metallic taste.
• Sources of Selenium. ...

Does selenium aid weight loss?

The mineral selenium has many health benefits and is essential for healthy thyroid function. Among other things, your thyroid helps regulate your weight. Studies suggest that taking a selenium supplement or getting more of the mineral from your diet might promote fat loss.

What is the danger of too much selenium in the body?

Too much selenium can also cause diarrhea and nausea, skin rashes, skin lesions, irritability and fatigue . In rare and serious cases, selenosis can also cause kidney failure, cardiac failure and death. Selenium occurs naturally in small amounts in foods, with the exception of Brazil nuts, which contain an abnormally high amount of the mineral.

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What does selenium do for the body?

Selenium is an essential component of various enzymes and proteins, called selenoproteins, that help to make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections; these proteins are also involved in reproduction and the metabolism of thyroid hormones.

Should you take selenium everyday?

When taken by mouth: Selenium is likely safe when taken in doses less than 400 mcg daily, short-term. But selenium is possibly unsafe when taken in high doses or for a long time. Taking doses above 400 mcg daily can increase the risk of developing selenium toxicity.

Does selenium make you gain weight?

Chemist Wayne Chris Hawkes prepares to test a rice sample from China for selenium content. Meals rich in selenium may slow the rate at which your body burns calories, ARS researchers report.

What are the dangers of taking selenium?

Extremely high intakes of selenium can cause severe problems, including difficulty breathing, tremors, kidney failure, heart attacks, and heart failure. The daily upper limits for selenium include intakes from all sources—food, beverages, and supplements—and are listed below.

Should I take selenium in the morning or at night?

When taking selenium, it does not matter at what time of day selenium is taken. However, if you have problems with your stomach, you should take selenium in combination with a meal.

Does selenium help you sleep?

Researchers found that individuals who consume enough selenium have a significantly lower risk of having difficulty falling asleep. A study looking at nutrition and sleep found that selenium was associated with a 20% lower risk of having difficulty falling asleep.

Does selenium help with belly fat?

Your body needs selenium to make thyroid hormones that help regulate your metabolism. Most people aren't deficient in this nutrient, but studies suggest that getting a bit more may help you lose body fat.

What are the signs of selenium deficiency?

Selenium deficiency refers to not having enough selenium in your system. This can cause several health problems....What are the symptoms?infertility in men and women.muscle weakness.fatigue.mental fog.hair loss.weakened immune system.

Does selenium help hair growth?

Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium, a mineral that may help boost hair growth. Authors of a scientific review note that selenium is involved in creating hair. They report that newly forming hair takes up selenium after receiving trace elements from the blood.

What foods are highest in selenium?

Brazil nuts, seafoods, and organ meats are the richest food sources of selenium [1]. Other sources include muscle meats, cereals and other grains, and dairy products.

What medications should not be taken with selenium?

Drugs that affect selenium levels in the body -- These drugs may lower levels of selenium: Cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug....Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners) -- When combined with these drugs, selenium may increase the risk of bleeding:Clopidogrel (Plavix)Warfarin (Coumadin)Heparin.Aspirin.

Can selenium raise blood pressure?

In spline regression models, blood pressure levels increased with increasing selenium concentrations up to 160 µg/L (Figure 1).

What are the benefits of Selenium?

Selenium has a wide array of health benefits, including its ability to protect against certain heart diseases, boost the strength of the immune system, maximize thyroid function, reduce inflammation, reduce the signs of premature aging, protect against antibodies, boost hair health, and balance your hormones.

Why is selenium important?

Studies have shown that selenium is important in the stimulation of antibodies, which are elements of the immune system that seek out and destroy viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan foreign bodies that result in diseases and infections. It is said to help stimulate these antibodies, particularly after you receive a vaccination for one of these diseases, making your body resilient and experienced in fighting them off so you remain healthy and protected throughout your life. [6]

Why is selenium important for the immune system?

Studies have shown that selenium is important in the stimulation of antibodies, which are elements of the immune system that seek out and destroy viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan foreign bodies that result in diseases and infections.

Does Selenium help with eczema?

Selenium has been shown to reduce oxidative stress that often occurs around joints and bones, manifesting into the various inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis, lupus, eczema associated pain, and weakness.

Does selenium help with sperm motility?

Selenium is linked with promoting sperm motility and increasing the blood flow in the body. A 2017 research suggests that it could play a role in enhancing sperm health and male fertility. [10]

Does Selenium help with arthritis?

Selenium has been shown to reduce oxidative stress that often occurs around joints and bones, manifesting into the various inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis, lupus, eczema associated pain, and weakness. By reducing the inflammation at these vital hinges of your body, you can remain active, healthy, and pain-free for many years. [7]

Is selenium a cancer preventative?

A 2013 review study in the Nutrients journal, showed that in addition to its potential as a cancer preventative agent, selenium may also prove to be an anti-metastatic element, thus aiding in the later stages of cancer progression. [3] A bowl filled with brazil nuts Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

What are the benefits of Selenium?

Top 8 Selenium Benefits. 1. Acts as an Antioxidant and Defends Against Oxidative Stress. Selenium benefits include the ability to fight the aging process and help the immune system by reducing free radical damage.

Why is Selenium important?

It’s needed to fight oxidative degradation of cells and protect against mutation and DNA damage that can cause disease. 2. May Help Defend Against Cancer. Selenium benefits are especially helpful if you have a weak immune system or a history of cancer in your family.

How much Selenium is in a day?

Adults and children 14 and up: 55 micrograms/day. Pregnant women: 60 micrograms/day. Breastfeeding women: 70 micrograms/day. In supplement form, selenium is available in the form of selenomethionine and selenium selenite. Selenomethionine is usually easier for most people to digest and absorb properly.

Why is glutathione reductase important?

Because it both increases antioxidant capabilities and the quality of blood flow, it can help to enhance resistance against diseases and effects of stress.

What is the best source of selenium?

Whole foods are the best sources of selenium, especially when these foods are handled and prepared in a delicate way, since the mineral may be destroyed during processing and very high-heat cooking methods.

Does selenium help with inflammation?

Its ability to fight oxidative stress and and inflammation are thought to be due to different types of selenoprotein found in selenium. Among healthy people in the U.S., a selenium deficiency is believed to be uncommon.

Does selenium help with Hashimoto's 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. 6. May Help Increase Longevity.

What is Selenium?

Selenium (Se) is a mineral found in Brazil nuts, poultry, fish, cereal, and eggs. It was considered a toxin until 1957 when its health benefits started to be discovered. Balanced selenium intake is crucial. Both selenium deficiency and excess are harmful while taking in just the right amount can have wide-ranging health benefits [ 1 ].

Selenium Blood Test & Normal Ranges

The margin between selenium deficiency, optimal and above-optimal levels and toxicity is very narrow. Knowing your selenium status can be helpful in identifying potential health problems.

Selenium Sources & Dosage

Selenium exists naturally in a variety of foods, but it can also be purchased as a supplement.

What are the sources of selenium?

A wide range of foods are rich in selenium, and among these, Brazil nuts are by far the most significant source. Following this, various animal foods are excellent sources – particularly organ meats and shellfish. For a full guide to the top 20 food sources of selenium, see this article.

How many people are deficient in selenium?

Sadly, selenium deficiency is a growing problem, and estimates put the global number of selenium-deficient people at one billion ( 2, 3 ). Since selenium is such a powerful mineral, we only need trace amounts to maintain good health, and excessive amounts can quickly lead to toxicity. On this note, the reference daily intake (RDI) ...

What is the most important mineral in the soil?

Selenium is one of the essential minerals, and we need to obtain these nutrients from our diet. The amount of selenium in food depends on the selenium concentration of the soil, and this can vary both regionally and internationally ( 1 ).

When is Selenium 2020?

July 23, 2020. February 14, 2019 by Michael Joseph. Last Updated on July 23, 2020 by Michael Joseph. Selenium is an essential mineral that has a wide range of important functions for human health. Unfortunately, selenium is also one of the most common deficiencies around the world.

Does selenium help with mercury?

The converse is also true, and selenium can help eliminate mercury and reduce its bioavailability in the body ( 17 ). Either way, a higher intake of selenium likely lessens the detrimental effects of mercury. Key Point: It is likely that a higher intake of dietary selenium can reduce the harmful effects of mercury exposure.

Is selenium good for older adults?

A further potential benefit of selenium is the role it may play in preserving cognitive health, particularly in older adults. However, the evidence for this is mixed and inconclusive. Firstly, studies show that low levels of selenium are associated with cognitive decline and reduced cognitive function ( 42, 43 ).

Is seafood a good source of mercury?

Although seafood as a whole is an incredibly beneficial food group, certain species of fish and shellfish can be significant sources of mercury ( 13 ). Interestingly, one of the benefits of selenium is that the mineral can bind to mercury, potentially lowering the harms of exposure ( 14, 15 ). More research is necessary on ...

Why is selenium important?

Selenium is important for the activity of glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione peroxidase is an enzyme that protects our cells membrane from damage. Proven Very Effective in preventing Skin Cancer. Selenium is believed to have important roles in preventing skin cancer.

Why do I need more selenium?

A massive hair loss is one of the symptoms that we need more intake of selenium. Selenium is trace mineral that plays its important role for our healthy hair. Since our hair contains protein, we should consume rich-protein-food. Selenium digest the protein intake to our body.

How much selenium is in mushrooms?

Mushroom. There is 11,9 mcg or 17% DV of selenium in 100 gram of mushrooms. The low level of selenium is related to the increasing of high risk of flu. Mushrooms contain antivirus, antibacterial, and the effect of anti-tumor.

How to meet the requirement for Selenium?

One of the best ways to meet the selenium requirements is by choosing rich-of-selenium food: Egg. Egg has been famously known as a nutritious food that is high in protein. Besides, it also contains selenium. In one egg contains of 13,9 mcg of selenium. It is the same as 20% of our daily need of selenium. Cheese.

How much selenium should I take for lupus?

Controlling Lupus (SLE) symptoms. Lupus is an illness that gives serious impact for our immune system. Consuming 50 micrograms of selenium in a daily basis will help us in decreasing the pain. However, consulting to the naturopath or doctor prior to consuming selenium supplement is strongly suggested.

What is the role of selenium in sperm production?

Selenium is a nutritional substance that influences our sperm quality. Almost a half of selenium in male’s body is kept in testicular and seminal tract. If the selenium intake is not sufficient, the sperm that is produced tend to have less mobility since its tail was not formed well.

Which food has the most selenium?

Beef is one of the best selenium source. It contains around 91,4 mcg in 100 gm. Chicken. A 100 gram of chicken contains 27,6 mcg of selenium or it is the same as 39% daily requirement of selenium per day. Tuna. In a 100 gr of fresh tuna contains 80,4 mcg or 115% DV of selenium.

What are the health conditions that are associated with low selenium levels?

But some health conditions -- such as HIV, Crohn's disease, and others -- are associated with low selenium levels. People who are fed intravenously are also at risk for low selenium. Doctors sometimes suggest that people with these conditions use selenium supplements.

What is the best source of selenium?

Good natural food sources of selenium include: Nuts, like Brazil nuts and walnuts. Many fresh and saltwater fish, like tuna, cod, red snapper, and herring. Beef and poultry.

What foods contain selenium?

Good natural food sources of selenium include: 1 Nuts, like Brazil nuts and walnuts 2 Many fresh and saltwater fish, like tuna, cod, red snapper, and herring 3 Beef and poultry 4 Grains

Where is selenium found in 2021?

Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on March 26, 2021. Selenium is a mineral found in the soil. Selenium naturally appears in water and some foods. While people only need a very small amount, selenium plays a key role in their metabolism.

Can selenium cause nausea?

Taken at normal doses, selenium does not usually have side effects. An overdose of selenium may cause bad breath, fever, and nausea, as well as liver, kidney and heart problems and other symptoms. At high enough levels, selenium could cause death. Interactions.

Does selenium interact with other drugs?

Selenium may also interact with other medicines and supplements, such as some antacids, chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids, niacin, cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, and birth control pills. Skin cancer.

Does selenium help with cancer?

Evidence that selenium supplements may reduce the odds of prostate cancer has been mixed, but most studies suggest there is no real benefit. Selenium does not seem to affect the risk of colorectal or lung cancer. But beware: some studies suggest that selenium may increase the risk of non- melanoma skin cancer.

What Is Selenium?

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Top 8 Selenium Benefits

Supplements and Dosage

Foods

Deficiency

Risks and Side Effects