Selenium is required for thyroid function. Selenium is an essential component of the enzymes that convert Thyroxine (T4) to Triodothyronine (T3). Selenium is also important in heavy metal detoxification and is also important in enhancing immune system function.
Selenium (Se) is normally found in hair at very low levels, and several studies provide evidence that low hair Se is reflective of dietary intake and associated with cardiovascular disorders. Utilization of hair Se levels to assess nutritional status, however, is complicated by the fact that use of Se- or sulfur-containing shampoo markedly increases hair Se (externally) and can give a false high value.
Se is an extremely important essential element due to its antioxidative function as an obligatory component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Se is also protective in its capacity to bind and ”inactivate” mercury, and Se is an essential cofactor in the deiodination of T-4 to active T-3 (thyroid hormone). Some conditions of functional hypothyroidism therefore may be due to Se deficiency (Nature; 349:438-440, 1991); this is of particular concern with mercury exposure. Studies have also indicated significant inverse correlations between Se and heart disease, cancer, and asthma.
Sources Of Selenium
Seafood - | oysters, tuna, mackerel, herring, lobsters, scallops, shrimp, pike, trout, carp, cod, flounder, salmon | |
Meats - | liver, kidney, heart, beef, lamb, egg, pork | |
Nuts/seeds - | brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, walnuts | |
Grains - | wheat germ and bran, brown rice, barley | |
Miscellaneous - | brewer's yeast |
Roles In The Body
Functions Of Selenium
Circulatory - | needed for the heart muscle | |
Excretory - | protection from toxic metals | |
Respiratory - | involved in oxygen transport | |
Digestive - | intestinal homeostasis | |
Nervous - | protection from mercury and cadmium | |
Reproductive - | protection against birth defects | |
Endocrine - | synergistic with the sex hormones | |
Blood - | stabilizes the red blood cell membranes | |
Integumentary - | helps maintain hair, skin and nails | |
Immune - | enhances immune system in animals | |
Metabolic - | lipid and sulfhydryl metabolism; may prevent liver necrosis | |
Detoxification - | helps remove mercury, cadmium, silver, arsenic and peroxides |
Nutrients That Are Synergistic With Selenium
Metabolic - | vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione | |
Absorption - | amino acids, peptides, proteins |
Antagonistic Nutrients
Metabolic - | silver, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, titanium | |
Absorption - | copper, mercury, silver, sulfate |
Low Hair Selenium:
Selenium (Se) is normally found in hair at very low levels, and several studies provide evidence that low hair Se is reflective of dietary intake and associated with cardiovascular disorders. Utilization of hair Se levels to assess nutritional status, however, is complicated by the fact that use of Se- or sulfur-containing shampoo markedly increases hair Se (externally) and can give a false high value.
Se is an extremely important essential element due to its antioxidative function as an obligatory component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Se is also protective in its capacity to bind and ”inactivate” mercury, and Se is an essential cofactor in the deiodination of T-4 to active T-3 (thyroid hormone). Some conditions of functional hypothyroidism therefore may be due to Se deficiency (Nature; 349:438-440, 1991); this is of particular concern with mercury exposure. Studies have also indicated significant inverse correlations between Se and heart disease, cancer, and asthma.
Selenium deficiency is common and can result from low dietary intake of Se or vitamin E, and exposure to toxic metals, pesticides/herbicides and chemical solvents.
Symptoms of Se deficiency are similar to that of vitamin E deficiency and include muscle aches, increased inflammatory response, loss of body weight, alopecia, listlessness, skeletal and muscular degeneration, growth stunting, and depressed immune function.
Confirmatory tests for Se deficiency are Se content of packed red blood cells, and activity of glutathione peroxidase in red blood cells.
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