Selenium Methionine pack of 60 capsules *

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Selenium is an essential trace mineral with a number of important functions in the human body. Over two dozen selenoproteins reply on selenium for their production and these play an important role in many biological processes in the body ⁽¹¹⁾. Selenium can be organic (Selenite and selenate) and inorganic (selenomethionine and selenocysteine) and both are beneficial and can be found in dietary sources ⁽²⁾.

Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, beans, beef, chicken, turkey, and seafood. However, the amount of selenium in these foods vary depending upon the levels present in soil where those foods are grown. Plants absorb selenium from soil and produce plant sources of the element; animals eat these plants, producing the animal sources ⁽¹⁾.

One of the main advantages of selenium is its antioxidant properties. It is an extremely powerful antioxidant helping to protect against oxidative damage. Likewise, it is a cofactor to many enzymes. Enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase and iodothyronine deiodinases all rely on selenium to function ⁽¹²⁾. Glutathione is especially important in the detoxification of the liver, oxidative stress reduction and reducing free radicals ⁽¹³⁾. Furthermore, due to its high antioxidant effects and its ability to reduce DNA damage in the mitochondria and nucleus of the cell, selenium may help to reduce the risk of certain cancers ^{(14, 15)}. However, further research is needed to determine if there is a direct link between selenium and cancer.

In addition to its antioxidant properties, selenium helps protects the thyroid gland from oxidative stress ⁽¹⁶⁾. The thyroid gland contains the highest concentration of selenium in the body ⁽²⁾ and is required for the conversion of T4 to T3 ⁽¹⁶⁾. This is particularly important in those suffering from Hashimoto’s disease. This suggests that selenium may be crucial in certain autoimmune diseases as it can significantly reduce thyroid peroxidase antibodies as well as hydrogen peroxide which generates free radicals ⁽¹⁷⁾. Likewise, a selenium deficiency may result in further thyroid problems such as thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and Graves’ disease ⁽¹⁷⁾.

The antioxidant activity of selenium may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and other age-related cognitive impairments ⁽¹⁴⁾. It has been suggested that selenium and its compounds can be used to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease ⁽¹⁸⁾. Further evidence has shown that adults with Alzheimer’s had notably lower selenium levels compared to those without the disease ⁽¹⁹⁾. This highlights the importance of selenium in preventing oxidative stress which ultimately can lead to neurological impairment. However, a lot more research is needed on this before specific recommendations can be made.

Moreover, selenium supplementation has the ability to help detoxify mercury ⁽²⁰⁾, help improve the glycaemic and lipidemic profile of type 2 diabetics ⁽²¹⁾ and potentially help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases ⁽¹⁾.

Nausea, vomiting, seizures and mental confusion are all symptoms of selenium deficiency ⁽¹⁾. Moderate deficiency leads to infertility in men and prostate cancer, as well as neurological diseases. Severe selenium deficiency can lead to heart muscle and joint problems ⁽²²⁾ and has been associated with Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease ⁽¹⁾.

Those most at risk of selenium deficiency are people with HIV because diarrhoea and other symptoms can reduce absorption rates ⁽¹⁾. People undergoing dialysis may also be at risk due to selenium lost when filtering the blood and strict food intake requirements ⁽¹⁾.  Individuals suffering from Chron’s disease or colitis might have lower levels due to malabsorption. Similarly, as selenium is metabolised by the liver, those with cirrhosis of the liver may be at risk of deficiency ⁽²³⁾. People living in regions that have a low selenium soil content can also be at risk ⁽¹⁾.

While it is rare, it is important to note that excess selenium can be toxic and even fatal. Early symptoms of selenium toxicity include a garlic-like odour in the breath and a metallic taste in the mouth ⁽²⁾. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, nail discoloration, brittleness, hair loss, fatigue, and irritability ⁽²⁴⁾. In extreme cases, long term selenium toxicity can result in kidney failure, cardiac failure or even death ⁽²⁾. It is therefore key that Epigenetics Selenium Methionine supplements be taken with care.