Selenium is a trace element. It is not naturally produced by the body, so it must be taken through the diet. It plays a role in helping protect the body from harmful reactive oxygen species, and it also helps control thyroid hormone metabolism and cells’ redox state. For a long time, the beneficial effects of selenium were unknown because selenium can very harmful and even fatal. In fact, for many years selenium was thought to increase the risk of cancer. New evidence suggests that this might be incorrect. In fact, many people now believe that selenium could help prevent some cancers.
Selenium stimulates glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme which is believed to prevent cancer.
Selenium is also important to the immune system. Studies have shown that taken supplemental selenium lowers the rate of viral hepatitis among people who have insufficient selenium. These effects are attributed to the immune-boosting properties of selenium. Even in healthy people, increased selenium intake increases the activities of white blood cells, which boost the entire immune system. Selenium is also necessary to stimulate thyroid hormones.
by the Harvard School of Public Health
It has been asked by millions of people “If you eat a healthy diet, do you need to take vitamins?” Not very long ago, the common answer from most experts and professionals would have been an emphatic "no". However, today there's quite a bit of evidence that taking a daily multivitamin makes good sense for most adults.
by the Mayoclinic Staff
Given the popularity and availability of “high potency” amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes and herbs, it might seem like dietary supplements could replace food as a source of the nutrients the body requires. However, this is not the case.
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