Selenium is an important and essential trace element. Essential means that we must supply this to our body, as it cannot produce it itself. If a selenium deficiency exists, it usually manifests itself in unspecific symptoms that fit a variety of clinical pictures. Why selenium is so important and how you can take the trace element in a natural way, you will learn in this article.
What does our body need selenium for?
With selenium, various enzymes are formed in the body, which are indispensable for the entire metabolism, especially for the immune system. Above all, it is important for the thyroid gland, as selenium is needed for the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
Male fertility also depends on selenium! Only through selenium do sperm become motile and fertile. Therefore, if there are problems in childbearing, it is possible that a selenium deficiency may be the cause. This should definitely be investigated and treated if a deficiency exists.
Furthermore, selenium binds heavy metals in the body and serves as an antioxidant to protect our body cells. Selenium is therefore recommended for patients undergoing chemotherapy, for example, because selenium helps to protect healthy cells. If there is a deficiency of selenium, the healthy cells are exposed to the aggressive drugs without protection.
What are the symptoms of selenium deficiency?
If a selenium deficiency exists, many different symptoms can indicate it. These sometimes include the following symptoms:
– Hypothyroidism and associated symptoms
– Infertility in men
– Intestinal sluggishness
– Weight loss
– Digestive disorders
– Headache
– Sleep disorders
– Joint pain
– Muscle problems, muscle inflammation and muscle pain
– Hair loss
– Susceptibility to infections: With frequent infections, most people think of a deficiency of vitamin C, iron or zinc, but rarely of selenium. However, this can also be the determining cause for the infections.
What is the best way to compensate for a selenium deficiency?
The best way to counteract a deficiency or, even better, to prevent it from occurring in the first place, is through nutrition. Plant foods containing selenium include nuts, legumes, and cabbage products such as white cabbage. Brazil nuts contain particularly high levels of selenium. Two to three Brazil nuts per day already cover the complete daily requirement of selenium. Animal foods sometimes contain selenium, but we do not recommend them for health reasons in other areas. As you can see, it is relatively easy to cover the daily requirement of selenium through the diet.
Another way to supply selenium is through dietary supplements. Here, we recommend organically bound selenium products, ideally selenomethionine. In this case, the selenium is bound to an amino acid and is therefore better tolerated. In general, however, we recommend supplementation only in cases of acute and severe selenium deficiency.
In rare cases, selenium excess may occur, which is manifested by the following symptoms:
Bad breath of garlic, inner restlessness, gastrointestinal problems, memory problems and visual disturbances.
However, a surplus usually results only from an excessive intake of dietary supplements.
If you suffer from the symptoms mentioned above and suspect a selenium deficiency, you can easily check this via a blood test with a therapist or via our remote testing or independently via our Dr. Mama system.
Selenium is a significant trace element, which unfortunately is very often forgotten. Replenish your selenium stores and make sure you get regular intake through your diet.
