Selenium

Information

Selenium (element, chemical symbol Se, atomic no. 34, from chalcogenide, it is present in several allotropic forms). It is supplied the body with food in the form of seleno-amino acids (selenomethionine - gathering supplies, and selenocysteine – a component of glutathione peroxidase, deiodinase and seleno-proteins). Regulates the functioning of the thyroid gland. It affects the growth and development, including sexual development (by increasing production and sperm motility). It affects the flexibility of the tissue, removes some of the toxins from the body and destroys cancer cells and reduces the severity of menopause in women. Natural products containing selenium are seafood (sea fish, oysters, bladderwrack) and vegetable products (broccoli, onions, wheat germ, bran, tomatoes) and animal products (poultry, eggs). It is also included in the composition of vitamin-mineral and mineral supplements. Selenium supplementation is recommended as a dietary supplement of active people having diet poor in this element, and as a factor increasing the body's immunity.
Selenium deficiency increases the risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Symptoms of selenium deficiency are: cardiomyopathy, growth stoppage, disorders of detoxification processes which may lead to damage to the kidneys and liver.
An excess of selenium can lead to selenosis (the disease, the symptoms are: loss of hair, nail cracks, lesions).
daily demand of selenium for pregnant women 65 mcg; nursing mothers 75 mcg; men 7 mcg.

L-selenomethionine

Information

L-selenomethionine is a selenoamino acid and organic form of selenium. It is a combination of selenium with methionine (about 40% of selenium and 60% of the amino acid methionine per molecule) in which a sulphur molecule is replaced by selenium.

This form is absorbed very effectively via the digestive tract. It is believed that the bioavailability of selenium from L-selenomethionine is even 1.5-2 times greater than its non-organic forms. It is estimated that its bioavailability may exceed 90%. Furthermore, the half-life of L-selenomethionine is much longer than in non-organic forms – it is 252 days. This means that the absorbed selenium is accumulated for a long time in the body.

Selenium is a component of many key biochemical pathways. It helps protect the body from oxidative stress, prevents atherosclerosis, supports the immune system and brain function and optimises thyroid function. It has been demonstrated that selenium as L-selenomethionine may, among others, reduce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in female patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis..

As a dietary supplement, L-selenomethione is most often used to support thyroid, cardiac and immune function and stabilise cholesterol levels.