1. Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant

Antioxidants are compounds in foods that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are normal byproducts of processes like metabolism that occur in your body on a daily basis.

They often get a bad rap, but free radicals are actually essential for health. They perform important functions, including protecting the body from disease.

However, things like smoking, alcohol use and stress can cause an excess of free radicals. This leads to oxidative stress, which damages healthy cells (1).

Oxidative stress has been linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, as well as premature aging and the risk of stroke (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

Antioxidants like selenium help reduce oxidative stress by keeping free radical numbers in check.

They work by neutralizing excess free radicals and protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.

SUMMARYSelenium is a powerful antioxidant that fights oxidative stress and helps defend the body from chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

 

2. May Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers

In addition to decreasing oxidative stress in the body, selenium may help lower the risk of certain cancers.

This has been attributed to selenium's ability to reduce DNA damage and oxidative stress, boost the immune system and destroy cancer cells (7).

A review of 69 studies that included over 350,000 people found that having a high blood level of selenium defended against certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon and prostate cancers (8).

It’s important to note that this effect was only associated with selenium obtained through foods, not supplements.

However, some research suggests that supplementing with selenium may reduce side effects in people undergoing radiation therapy.

For example, one study found that oral selenium supplements improved overall quality of life and reduced radiation-induced diarrhea in women with cervical and uterine cancer (9).

SUMMARYHigher blood levels of selenium may protect against certain cancers, while supplementing with selenium may help improve quality of life in people undergoing radiation therapy.

 

3. May Protect Against Heart Disease

A diet rich in selenium may help keep your heart healthy, as low selenium levels have been linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.

In an analysis of 25 observational studies, a 50% increase in blood selenium levels was associated with a 24% reduction in coronary artery disease (10).

Selenium may also lower markers of inflammation in the body, one of the main risk factors for heart disease.

For example, a review of 16 controlled studies including over 433,000 people with coronary heart disease showed that taking selenium supplements decreased levels of the inflammatory marker CRP.

Additionally, it increased levels of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful antioxidant (11).

This indicates that selenium may help lower heart disease risk by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been linked to atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Atherosclerosis can lead to dangerous health problems like strokes, heart attacks and coronary artery disease (12).

Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet is a great way to keep levels of oxidative stress and inflammation to a minimum.

SUMMARYSelenium may help keep your heart healthy by keeping oxidative stress in check and reducing the risk of coronary artery disease.

 

4. Helps Prevent Mental Decline

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that causes memory loss and negatively affects thinking and behavior. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is growing. Thus, finding ways to prevent this degenerative disease is imperative.

Oxidative stress is believed to be involved in both the onset and the progression of neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease (13).

Several studies have shown that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower blood levels of selenium (14, 15).

Additionally, some studies have shown that selenium in both food and supplements may improve memory in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (16).

One small study found that supplementing with one selenium-rich Brazil nut per day improved verbal fluency and other mental functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (17).

What’s more, the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in high-selenium foods like seafood and nuts, has been associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (18, 19).

SUMMARYA diet rich in selenium may help prevent mental decline and improve memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

 

5. Is Important for Thyroid Health

Selenium is important for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. In fact, thyroid tissue contains a higher amount of selenium than any other organ in the human body (20).

This powerful mineral helps protect the thyroid against oxidative damage and also plays an essential role in the production of thyroid hormones.

A healthy thyroid gland is important because it regulates metabolism and controls growth and development in the body (21).

Selenium deficiency has been associated with thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a type of hypothyroidism in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.

An observational study of over 6,000 people found that low serum levels of selenium were associated with an increased risk of autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism (22).

Additionally, some studies have shown that selenium supplements may benefit people diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease.

One review found that taking selenium supplements daily for three months resulted in lower thyroid antibodies. It also led to improvements in mood and general well-being in patients with Hashimoto’s disease (23).

However, more research is needed before selenium supplements can be recommended for those with Hashimoto’s disease.

SUMMARYSelenium protects the thyroid gland from oxidative stress and is necessary for thyroid hormone production. Selenium may be helpful for people with Hashimoto’s disease and other types of thyroid disease, but more research is needed.

 

6. Boosts the Immune System

The immune system keeps the body healthy by identifying and fighting off potential threats. These include bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Selenium plays an important role in the health of the immune system. This antioxidant helps lower oxidative stress in the body, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity.

Studies have demonstrated that increased blood levels of selenium are associated with enhanced immune response.

On the other hand, deficiency has been shown to negatively impact immune cells and may lead to a slower immune response (24).

Studies have also associated deficiency with an increased risk of death and disease progression in people with HIV, while supplements have been shown to lead to fewer hospitalizations and an improvement in symptoms for these patients (25).

Additionally, selenium supplements may help strengthen the immune system in patients with influenza, tuberculosis and hepatitis C (26).

SUMMARYSelenium is crucial for the health and proper functioning of the immune system. Higher levels of selenium may be beneficial for boosting the immune system in patients with HIV, influenza, tuberculosis and hepatitis C.

 

7. May Help Reduce Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs.

These airways become inflamed and begin to narrow, causing symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing (27).

Asthma has been associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the body (28).

Due to selenium's ability to lower inflammation in the body, some studies suggest that this mineral may be effective in reducing asthma-related symptoms.

Research suggests that people who have asthma have lower blood levels of selenium.

In fact, one study showed that asthmatic patients with higher levels of blood selenium had better lung function than those with lower levels (29).

Selenium supplements may also be beneficial for reducing asthma-related symptoms.

For example, one study found that asthma patients given 200 mcg of selenium per day reduced their use of the corticosteroid medications used to control their symptoms (30).

However, research in this area is conflicting, and larger studies are needed to fully understand selenium’s role in the development and treatment of asthma (31).

SUMMARYSelenium may be beneficial for people with asthma due to its ability to lower inflammation in the body. However, more research is needed.

 

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