Selenium

Roles In The Body

• At the molecular level selenium as a sulfhydryl agent, anti-oxidant (glutathione peroxidase), and as a synergist to vitamin E.

• At the cellular level selenium is involved in the destruction of peroxides, protection of cell membranes, as an electron transfer agent, and in glutathione metabolism.

• Selenium helps maintain the circulatory system, digestive organs, and reproductive system. It is also involved with heavy metal detoxification.

Functions Of Selenium

Circulatory -needed for the heart muscle

Excretory -protection from toxic metals

Respiratory -involved in oxygen transport

Digestive -intestinal homeostasis

Nervous -protection from mercury and cadmium

Reproductive -protection against birth defects

Endocrine -synergistic with the sex hormones

Blood -stabilizes the red blood cell membranes

Integumentary -helps maintain hair, skin and nails

Immune -enhances immune system in animals

Metabolic -lipid and sulfhydryl metabolism; may prevent liver necrosis

Detoxification -helps remove mercury, cadmium, silver, arsenic and peroxides

Possible Symptoms Associated With Selenium Deficiency

acanthocytosis, neonatal jaundice, alcoholic liver failure and toxic metal poisoning

Nutrients That Are Synergistic With Selenium

Metabolic -vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione

Absorption -amino acids, peptides, proteins

Antagonistic Nutrients

Metabolic -silver, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, titanium

Absorption -copper, mercury, silver, sulfate