Minerals are essential for the growth, development and repair of the body and help in performing various body functions. They are divided into two categories— Major minerals and Trace elements. Magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium belong to the category of major minerals whereas chromium, cobalt, manganese, copper, zinc, fluorine, iron and iodine are trace minerals. Selenium is a trace mineral essential for good health and is required in minute amounts for the normal functioning of the bodily processes. It is integrated into proteins to form selenoproteins that are powerful anti oxidant enzymes.
Little attention had been given to Selenium until recent years in the field of human nutrition. With time and new development of new technology, it began to be regarded as a major nutritional supplement and gained immense popularity. It is a well known growth stimulator, is found in abundance in glutathione peroxidase, an important enzyme.
Benefits of Selenium:
It is necessary for the normal development of spermatozoa in adults. Its concentration in testes is highest in adult tissue and it’s concentrated in the spermatozoa as a specific seleno - protein in the mitochondria.
It is known to be a powerful anti oxidant that helps combat the harmful effects of free radicals such as pollution, smoke, radioactivity etc on the human body. Free radicals are hazardous substances that give rise to various diseases such as cancer, heart disease, bronchitis etc. Selenium acts as a non specific intra cellular anti oxidant.
Selenoproteins help regulate thyroid activity in the body and play a significant role in boosting the immune system.
It is present in almost every cell of the human body, particularly the lungs, kidney, liver, testes, spleen and pancreas.
It is often combined with Vitamin E and C to help fight cancer, heart disease and aging.
It may fight certain viral infections and can even slow the spread of AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) and HIV.
It is known to have a binding effect on toxic minerals and protects the body form their harmful effects.
It is believed to increase the level of male potency.
It is required for the healthy development and maintenance of hair, nails and skin.
It decreases high cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease.
It is helpful in preventing cataracts, lupus, arthritis, psoriasis and eczema.
It converts the thyroid hormone required for the proper functioning of every cell in the body from its less active form (T4) to its more active form (T1).
Selenium Deficiency:
Selenium deficiency is rare in the US but is prevalent in some parts of china and Russia where the mineral is absent form the soil. The shortage of this mineral in the body may lead to the development of heart disease, weakened immune system, hypothyroidism, and may make the body susceptible to illness.
Deficiency of this nutrient can result in Keshan disease characterized by the enlargement of the heart and heart dysfunction and is likely to affect children. It may also lead to osteoarthropathy and Myxeddematous Endemic Cretivism resulting in mental retardation.
Several gastrointestinal disorders also tend to decreases the body’s selenium absorbing capacity. Most of these cases in the US are associated with Crohn’s disease or surgical removal of the stomach.
Deficiency of Selenium may also result in worsening the effects on thyroid function giving rise to a number of neurological defects. Supplementing the nutrient might protect against Goiter — the enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Sources of Selenium:
Plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium. The quantity of the mineral depends upon its content in the soil. Soils of Nebraska and Dakota are extremely rich in the mineral whereas in some regions of china and Russia, the soils have poor selenium content. It is found in the meat of grain eating animals and in various other foods such as tuna, chicken, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, brown rice, nuts, oats, beef roast, meat sauce, cod and whole wheat.
Dosage:
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of the mineral in adults is 40 ug per day.
Selenium is one of the most important micronutrients of a health oriented diet plan and should be taken with vitamin C for best results.