For thyroid hormones
Selenium is an essential element for the proper functioning of our body, and its lack can be a big problem, especially affecting the region where we live. On the one hand, our staple foods contain small amounts of this essential element because the earth contains small amounts of selenium; on the other hand, we do not eat foods high in selenium (fish, mussels, hearts or liver). In some countries, selenium absorption has been reduced by 50% over the last 20-30 years, although this element may play an important role in preventing some diseases.
Thyroid
Selenium is essential for the thyroid gland, its proper functioning and hormone production. Moreover, some studies have shown that selenium may help treat thyroid disease. In the case of autoimmune thyroiditis, selenium may reduce inflammation, improve quality of life, and be useful in treating or preventing hypothyroidism that occurs during or after pregnancy.
Pregnancy
According to the results of an Italian study, low selenium levels may reduce the chances of pregnancy because the motility and effectiveness of male sperm with low selenium levels was significantly lower, the same study also established a link between low selenium levels and the risk of miscarriage in women. According to British research, lack of selenium may increase the risk of toxic blood poisoning during pregnancy.
Cancer
Based on previous experience, selenium deficiency that deviates significantly from optimal values causes liver, liver and gallbladder cancer, and new research suggests that selenium supplementation has a positive effect on the early stages of cancer.
The study included women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (its common abbreviation is CIN); the women took a placebo or 200 μg of selenium for six months. Improvement was seen in 88% of patients treated with selenium and only 56% in the placebo group after six months. In addition, other positive changes were noticed in the group that took selenium: blood sugar levels normalized and insulin sensitivity and the level of good HDL cholesterol increased.
Selenium and the heart
Proteins containing selenium play an antioxidant role of particular importance not only in the thyroid gland, but also in the heart. According to an analysis that summarized the results of 25 studies, selenium levels and the risk of coronary heart disease are closely linked: in cases where selenium intake is high, the risk of heart problems is low!
sources:
Prediagnostic selenium status and hepatobiliary cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort – Hughes DJ., Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun 29.
Relatively high mortality risk in elderly Swedish subjects with low selenium status – Alehagen et al., European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016) 70, 91–96
Selenium status and cardiovascular diseases: meta-analysis of prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials – Zhang et al., European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 70, 162-169 (February 2016)
Low Population Selenium Status Is Associated With Increased Prevalence of Thyroid Disease – Wu et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Nov;100(11):4037-47.
Association between function of selenium and heart disease – Hiraoka Y. Nihon Rinsho. 2016 Jul;74(7):1192-8.
Selenium and the thyroid – Josef KöhrleCurr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2015 Oct;22(5):392-401.
A szelén szerepeaz endocrin betegségekben – Balázs Cs., Rácz K., Orv Hetil. 2013 Oct 13;154(41):1628-35.
The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies – Negro R et al. (2007)J Clin Endocrinol Metab 92:1263–1268
Low population selenium status is associated within increased prevalence of thyroid disease – Qian Wu et al.,J Clin Endocrinol Metab
Selenium and human health – Rayman Lancet 2012; 379: 1256–68
