Before we dive into the makeup and mechanisms of how and why selenium works in your body, let’s tout some of the characteristics that present this supplemental product as appealing to health-conscious consumers with specific preferences related to personal concerns. Selenium is kosher. It is gluten-free. It is yeast-free. It’s a trace mineral such that a little of it goes a long way. And here, at last, it includes a dash of peppermint.
So far, so good, right?
The gluten-free aspect of selenium is the main reason why we are featuring it in this article, which is a continuation of our ongoing series featuring gluten-free products. Gluten-free foods and supplements do not include among its components the binding agent that helps maintain the structural integrity of some food types, such as loaves of bread. Consumption of gluten can be unhealthy for people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, giving rise to symptoms that can range from annoying to painful to debilitating.
How Does Selenium Work in the Body?
There are many other reasons to embrace selenium, a trace essential mineral that supports whole-body health and is most often associated with its health-related benefits for helping to regulate thyroid and reproductive function. Chalk this healthful functionality up to selenoproteins. These are vital antioxidant enzymes manufactured by selenium’s incorporation into proteins; they help prevent cellular damage from free radicals active in your body.
We don’t often delve into a supplement’s history of discovery, but we’ll make an exception for selenium. That’s because its story is an intriguing one that dates back to its accidental discovery way back in the early 19th century. As a precipitate given off in the process used to produce sulfuric acid, what became known as selenium was at first erroneously believed to be toxic. Further study and research, however, revealed a much more positive scenario, one that showed selenium to be an independent element. It is rare and difficult to find in nature, and in the 21st century is renowned as a health-inducing mineral with a wide array of health benefits.
5 Noteworthy Health Benefits from Selenium
As you might have guessed, there are actually more than five remedial functions attached to the use of selenium supplements. Nevertheless. we’ll start with the following possibilities that cumulatively demonstrate selenium’s versatility. In no particular order:
Bolster immunity: Studies have reportedly demonstrated that selenium can contribute to the stimulation of antibodies, in your body, that support the immune system. They do this by seeking out and eliminating viral, bacterial, fungal and other harmful foreign invaders that can cause diseases and infections.
Reduce risk of heart disease: First of all, reduced selenium levels are associated with an elevated risk of heart disease. This supplement, in sufficient supply, might aid in reducing heart disease risk by tamping down unwanted inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.
Improve fertility: Selenium has been linked to enhancement of sperm motility and blood flow in the body. It’s a belief buoyed by 2017 research that suggested this natural remedy could play a role in promoting sperm health and male fertility.
Assist thyroid health: The body’s highest concentration of selenium (converted into selenoproteins, as described above) is found in the thyroid gland, which is tasked with producing hormones that regulate your metabolism (which determines how quickly consumed food is turned into energy).
Protect mental health and mood: Selenium’s antioxidant nature can help thwart the onset of Alzheimer’s and even boost mental health and mood by neutralizing free radicals before they can damage your neural cortex.
Although selenium is a trace mineral, its “essential” tag is appropriate considering the variety of health benefits it can impart to your body. If you plan to try it, however, be advised to discuss it first with your personal physician or other healthcare professional qualified to address the topic. Let’s be careful out there.