Selenium - effect, deficiency and relevance explained

What is selenium?

Selenium, an essential chemical element. In the human body, it plays a central role in numerous vital functions. It supports the immune system, maintains thyroid function and protects the body from oxidative stress.

Natural sources of selenium are mainly nuts, fish, meat and whole grain products. Since the body cannot produce selenium on its own, dietary intake or supplements are critical. A selenium deficiency can lead to health problems and results, for example, from the selenium-poor arable soils in Europe due to over-acidification, leaching and over-fertilization. Vegetarians and vegans in particular have a poorer selenium supply on average, as animal foods are the main source of selenium intake. Other dietary restrictions, absorption problems or certain diseases can also lead to an increased selenium requirement.

Effect of selenium

Selenium plays a significant role in various bodily functions and shows positive effects on hair, nails and skin health. The element is involved in the structural integrity of hair and nails and promotes the health of these tissues. In addition, selenium significantly influences thyroid function by regulating thyroid hormones. It is also essential for the immune system and protects cells from oxidative stress. This antioxidant action minimizes cellular damage and helps reduce the risk of various diseases. Overall, selenium is a significant element in maintaining health and overall well-being.

Effect of selenium in summary

• Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
• Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
• Selenium contributes to normal immune system function.
• Selenium contributes to normal thyroid function.
• Selenium helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
• Selenium contributes to normal sperm formation.

Identify and correct selenium deficiency

Identifying and treating a selenium deficiency are critical to avoiding potential health problems. Selenium deficiency can have several causes, including an unbalanced diet or inadequate selenium intake. Risk groups for potential deficiency include regions with selenium-deficient soils, which can lead to lower selenium concentrations in plant foods.

Symptoms of selenium deficiency can be varied, ranging fromweakened immune function to hair loss or brittle nails. Other signs of selenium deficiency also include impaired thyroid function and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Timely detection and treatment of such a deficiency are essential to prevent a possible long-term negative impact on health.

How is selenium taken?  

Selenium is available in various forms as a dietary supplement. These include selenium capsules, selenium tablets and selenium drops. The dosage recommendation may vary depending on individual needs.

Our selenium drops are highly dosed and have optimal bioavailability. By providing them in drop form, our selenium drops can be dosed individually and, unlike tablets, do not contain any controversial additives. In addition, they are 100% vegan and free of colorants and flavorings and are very easy to dose thanks to the pipette. We recommend taking 10-20 drops daily pure or in still water. It does not matter at what time of day the selenium is taken. It is important to know that the lactic acid contained in our product as a natural preservative tastes sour. If you are not a fan of "sour makes funny", it is best to stir our selenium drops in water.

Combination of zinc and selenium

It is important to consider possible interactions between selenium and other nutrients or medications. In particular, the combination of selenium with zinc can have synergistic effects, as both minerals work together in many metabolic processes. Their joint use supports numerous metabolic processes and biochemical reactions. Zinc activates selenoproteins, which play an important role in antioxidant defense and detoxification. Selenium, in turn, depends on zinc to effectively perform its catalytic function. This combination strengthens antioxidant activity, which helps protect cells from free radical damage. Specifically, this partnership promotes immune function, protects against oxidative stress, and supports thyroid health. Overall, taking zinc and selenium together enhances the synergistic effect of both minerals.