- Best form of selenium
- Does not contain yeast
- Stimulates the immune system
- Helps protect the body from oxidative stress
- Benefits thyroid health
- Helps preserve fertility
- Replenishes selenium deficiency
- Influences hair and nail health
- Vegetarian tablets
Now Foods Selenium is a dietary supplement containing 100 mcg of l-selenomethionine per tablet.
Selenium - A dietary micronutrient, found in the human body in amounts of about 10-30 mg. It is included in the composition of many structures called selenoproteins. It exhibits antioxidant properties, thus protecting healthy cells from free radicals.
Selenium for a healthy thyroid gland
This element is of great interest among people suffering from hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis. This is fully justified, as selenium is a very important component of enzymes that affect thyroid health.
A group of selenium-dependent enzymes include deiodinases. These enzymes are involved in converting inactive thyroxine (T4) into active triiodothyronine (T3) by detaching one iodine molecule. This allows thyroid hormones to exert a greater effect on accelerating metabolism.
When iodine is oxidized to its active form so that it can be used bo build thyroid hormones, the concentration of a certain by-product - hydrogen peroxide - increases, which can damage thyroid tissue. To neutralize peroxides, we need thyroid peroxidase, which consists of selenium, among other things.
Reducing oxidative stress
During numerous reactions in our body, oxygen free radicals are produced - by-products that have the ability to damage healthy tissues. It is extremely important to keep the amounts of reactive oxygen species at physiological levels, and to do this we need a proper supply of antioxidants. One of the factors that are helpful in neutralizing free radicals is precisely selenium.
Excessive oxidative stress is often associated with faster aging of the entire body and damage to healthy cells, which can increase the processes of tumorigenesis. As you can see, it is definitely worth controlling this destructive process to enjoy good health for as long as possible.
Selenium and cancer
The scientific world has noted the correlation of a low dietary selenium supply with higher incidences of cancer. This effect is clearly visible in the case of China, whose population consumes insufficient amounts of this element.
Selenium metabolites such as methylselenol and selenoproteins, among which we distinguish mainly glutathione peroxidase and selenoprotein P are linked to the anticancer effects of this element. Selenium has an effect especially on cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, head and neck.
Effects of selenium deficiency
Most strongly associated with selenium is Keshan disease, a cardiomyopathy resulting from a deficiency of this mineral. A second disease resulting from selenium deficiency is Kashin-Back disease, or articular cartilage dystrophy. Both of these diseases occur mainly in China.
Other symptoms of too low a selenium supply include depressive conditions, brittle and falling nails, hair loss, fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, and even fertility problems in men
Effects on procreation
One of the serious effects of selenium deficiency is male infertility. This is because selenium is needed to maintain proper spermatogenesis, so a deficiency means lower semen quality. This is extremely problematic due to the fact that in the case of fertility problems, the cause is often sought only in the woman, while the reason may be only or as much as the lack of this one element in the partner.
Selenium should not be ignored during pregnancy either, since, like iodine, it is essential for proper fetal development. Its deficiency can contribute to miscarriages or permanent damage in the fetus.
Excellent bioavailability and quality of the raw material
Selenium in the form of l-selenomethionine is the best absorbed form of this element, its biodegradability reaches up to 90%. The -selenomethionine molecule consists of 40% selenium and 60% of the amino acid methionine.
A sizable portion of selenium preparations on the market contain yeast, from which selenium can be extracted. Unfortunately, yeast is a common allergen, which may rule out such supplements for many people. Fortunately, NOW Foods has taken care of this aspect and used raw material free of allergenic yeast in the production of its supplement.
Now Foods Selenium is recommended for people withselenium deficiency identified in blood tests, as well as those complaining of thyroid health complaints. It may be helpful in anti-infection prevention and as a means of reducing the risk of cancer.
