Introduction
Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health.
The numerous functions of selenium in the body make it a critical component of a balanced diet. It supports, among other things, the function of the immune system, thyroid hormone metabolism, reproduction, and protection against oxidative stress. A deficiency of this trace element can have far-reaching health consequences, so an adequate selenium level is of immense importance.
Basics of selenium deficiency
Selenium is an essential trace element, meaning the body cannot produce it itself and therefore depends on intake through food. An insufficient selenium status in the organism can impair various metabolic processes and thus lead to health problems.
Selenium deficiency can arise from an unbalanced diet, poor soil conditions leading to selenium-poor plants, or certain diseases that impair the absorption or utilization of selenium. Adequate intake through diet is the primary prevention method.
An indicator of selenium deficiency is a lower selenium plasma level, which can be determined by laboratory chemical analyses. This can lead to various functional impairments, especially in the area of thyroid function and immune defense.
Importance of selenium for the body
Selenium is essential for maintaining immune defense and supports numerous metabolic processes.
Selenium contributes decisively to the function of thyroid hormones and the reduction of oxidative stress.
It plays a central role in detoxification, promotes reproduction, and supports the integrity of cell membranes, especially of the cardiovascular system.
Adequate selenium supply is essential for the synthesis of important proteins, including enzymes such as glutathione peroxidases, and modulates inflammatory processes.
Signs and symptoms of a deficiency
Fatigue and weakness are early warning signs.
A low selenium concentration in the body can cause a variety of complaints. Affected individuals often suffer from hair loss and onychodystrophy, leading to brittle nails and hair. Muscle function may be impaired, associated with muscle weakness and pain. Additionally, poor immune defense is often a consequence of selenium deficiency.
Mood swings can also occur.
In advanced deficiency, Keshan disease – a specific heart disease – could threaten.
If deficiency symptoms persist, medical advice should be sought immediately. Especially if heart muscle problems and joint complaints also manifest, it is advisable to examine selenium levels in the blood count. The correlation between selenium intake and disease risk is continuously being studied, and research results up to and including 2023 confirm the importance of a balanced selenium status. Adequate diagnostic procedures are therefore essential for early detection and prevention of selenium deficiency conditions.
Risk groups for selenium deficiency
Certain groups of people have an increased risk of suffering from selenium deficiency. The availability of selenium in food varies worldwide and is largely determined by the selenium content in the soil.
- People with an unbalanced diet: For example, due to diets or lack of food variety.
- Residents of selenium-poor regions: Especially in parts of China and Europe where the soil contains less selenium.
- Older adults: Selenium absorption may decrease with increasing age.
- Patients with certain diseases: These include malabsorption disorders, e.g., in celiac disease or Crohn's disease.
- People undergoing dialysis: Kidney patients may lose selenium through the dialysis process.
In these risk groups, a targeted analysis of selenium intake should be conducted to prevent deficiency symptoms.
An individual deficit can especially occur with an unbalanced nutritional profile. Therefore, comprehensive nutritional counseling is crucial to ensure an adequate selenium level.
Overall, selenium is an essential trace element necessary for a variety of bodily functions. A deficiency can lead to serious health disorders, which is why prevention and, if necessary, supplementation in identified risk groups are recommended.
Causes of selenium deficiency
The main cause of selenium deficiency is often insufficient intake through food, due to the selenium content of the soil on which food crops are grown. An unbalanced diet with low consumption of selenium-rich foods such as nuts, fish, and whole grains can also lead to a deficit. Furthermore, food processing can contribute to a decrease in selenium content.
Another significant cause of selenium deficiency can be impaired absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract. Diseases such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease affect the uptake of selenium from food. Additionally, genetic factors can also influence selenium metabolism and thus the availability of this important micronutrient in the body.
Nutritional causes of deficiency
Selenium deficiency can occur with unbalanced diets that do not include enough selenium-rich foods.
Selenium-poor soils in certain geographic regions cause the foods grown there to have correspondingly lower selenium concentrations. This can shape local dietary habits and increase the risk of selenium deficiency.
Modern food processing can further reduce the selenium content of staple foods. Refining processes such as peeling grains or vegetables can remove selenium-containing outer layers and thus contribute to nutrient loss.
A preference for highly processed and industrially produced foods can also lead to insufficient selenium intake. These foods often contain less selenium than fresh and unprocessed products.
Consuming organically grown foods is not a guarantee of sufficient selenium intake, as the selenium status of the soil is also decisive here.
Malabsorption and diseases
Disorders of nutrient absorption, known as malabsorption, can also lead to selenium deficiency. Particularly affected are individuals with digestive tract diseases that impair the ability to absorb nutrients.
Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and certain forms of pancreatitis are examples of diseases that can impair the absorption of selenium from food. These conditions often damage the intestinal mucosa, reducing the uptake of many essential nutrients, including selenium. Chronic intestinal diseases cause inflammation and can deplete the body's selenium reserves, as the element is increasingly used to support the immune system and alleviate oxidative stress reactions.
Furthermore, gastrointestinal diseases can disrupt selenium absorption, even if food intake appears adequate. Interventions such as gastric bypass surgery for obesity treatment can also lead to reduced selenium availability, as they shorten the contact time of food with the absorptive surface of the intestine, thereby effectively reducing absorption.
Ultimately, a general protein deficiency can impair selenium status, as selenium is bound to proteins for its transport and function in the body. Patients with protein-energy malnutrition or chronic kidney diseases, which lead to increased loss of selenium-binding proteins through the kidneys, often show reduced selenium status. This underscores the importance of adequate protein supply for maintaining a balanced selenium balance, especially in the presence of diseases that affect nutrient absorption.
Geographical factors
The selenium concentration in the soil varies significantly worldwide and thus directly influences the selenium status of the population living there. Some regions, such as parts of China or Finland, are known for their selenium-poor soils.
In Europe, the selenium content of the soil varies particularly strongly. These geological differences lead to varying selenium concentrations in agricultural products.
The uptake of selenium by plants strongly depends on the bioavailability of selenium in the soil; selenium-rich soils lead to selenium-rich harvests. In areas where the soil is poor in selenium, this can result in foods whose selenium content is insufficient for a balanced diet, thereby increasing the risk of selenium deficiency.
Furthermore, the distribution of selenium across various ecosystems can lead to geographical health differences. Selenium deficiency in certain areas can be exacerbated by local dietary habits that rely heavily on selenium-poor foods. Moreover, environmental policy factors, such as industrial agriculture or air pollution, can further affect selenium availability in some regions. A worldwide harmonization of selenium levels in soils and foods is therefore a challenge that requires solid agricultural and environmental knowledge.
Diagnosis and treatment
To diagnose selenium deficiency, a detailed consideration of serum selenium concentration is necessary, which is usually done through a blood test. Low selenium levels may indicate a deficiency, but clinical symptoms and the patient's dietary habits should also be taken into account. Additionally, selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase can be measured in the blood to gain a comprehensive insight into selenium status.
The treatment of selenium deficiency is usually carried out by targeted selenium supplementation, mostly in the form of dietary supplements. However, it is essential to choose an adequate dosage, as both deficiency and overdose are associated with risks. In severe cases, a higher dosage may be required, but this should always be done under medical supervision. A balanced diet rich in selenium-containing foods such as nuts, fish, and whole grain products forms the basis for the prevention of selenium deficiency.
Tests to determine a deficiency
The diagnosis of selenium deficiency is based on various examination methods.
- Blood test: Measurement of serum selenium concentration.
- Whole blood analysis: Determination of the total selenium level in the blood.
- Specific selenoprotein tests: For example, the measurement of glutathione peroxidase activity.
An assessment should always consider multiple indicators.
An adequate interpretation of test results requires expert medical knowledge.
Selenium enrichment in the diet
The integration of selenium-rich foods is crucial for the prevention of selenium deficiency.
- nuts, especially Brazil nuts, are excellent sources of selenium.
- fish and seafood, such as tuna or crab, also contain high amounts of selenium.
- meat products, especially offal such as liver, can contribute to selenium intake.
- Vegetarian options include lentils, beans and seeds.
- Whole grain products also contribute to meeting selenium requirements.
- For vegetarians and vegans, special fortified foods represent a source of selenium.
To exclude deficiencies, the consumption of these products should take place regularly.
It is advisable to optimize selenium intake through a varied diet rather than relying on dietary supplements.
Intake of selenium supplements such as Selenium 200
The adequate dosage of selenium supplements requires careful medical consideration. It is important to consider individual needs and avoid overdosing.
In the case of a proven selenium deficiency, taking Selen 200, a selenium supplement with 200 micrograms per tablet, may be indicated. However, therapy should always be based on a well-founded medical recommendation and the duration of intake should be precisely determined.
For supplementation, it is crucial to select high-quality products that ensure good bioavailability of selenium. Correct use and dosage are of great importance for the effectiveness and safety of supplementation.
Regular monitoring of selenium levels in the blood by medical professionals is necessary to ensure appropriate dosage adjustment. Side effects and interactions with other medications must be carefully observed.
In the long term, the goal is to compensate for selenium deficiency states through a selenium-rich diet. Supplements like Selen 200 should therefore be considered as support and not as a sole solution.
Prevention and daily selenium requirement
Preventing selenium deficiency requires a balanced diet that includes selenium-containing foods such as fish, meat, eggs, and certain nuts. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends a daily selenium intake of 60 micrograms for women and 70 micrograms for men. This amount can usually be achieved through a wholesome diet and covers the body's needs to prevent selenium deficiency symptoms.
A high-dose selenium intake through supplements should be avoided unless a medically diagnosed deficiency exists. A blood test can help monitor selenium status to ensure a needs-based and health-promoting selenium supply.
Selenium-rich foods
Selenium is an essential trace element found in various foods. The most notable selenium-rich foods include:
- Nuts, especially Brazil nuts: One of the richest natural sources of selenium.
- Fish and seafood: Tuna and shrimp in particular contribute significantly to selenium intake.
- Meat: Especially offal such as liver and kidney are rich in selenium.
- Eggs: They provide not only proteins but also significant amounts of selenium.
- Grains and legumes: Whole grain products and lentils also contain selenium.
- Poultry: Chicken and turkey meat are good sources of selenium.
A selenium-rich diet acts preventively against deficiencies. The focus should be on variety to ensure a balanced intake.
The choice and preparation of these foods play a crucial role in the optimal selenium absorption of the body. Absorption can be impaired by various factors, which is why a holistic view of nutrition is advisable.
Recommended daily dose and overdose
The recommended daily dose of selenium varies depending on age, gender, and life stage. In Germany, the German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends an intake of 70 micrograms for adult men and 60 micrograms for adult women per day.
It is important to be aware of the dangers of overdose. Chronic intake of excessive amounts of selenium, known as selenosis, can lead to symptoms such as gastrointestinal complaints, hair loss, fatigue, and in severe cases neurological impairments. The upper limit for daily intake should therefore not exceed 300 micrograms to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
On the other hand, an acute deficiency can lead to serious health problems. Symptoms such as muscle weakness, immune system dysfunction, and in severe deficiency also heart diseases are possible. This illustrates the relevance of regulated selenium intake to maintain homeostasis.
Special caution is therefore required when supplementing selenium. It is advisable to coordinate the exact dosage and duration of intake with a doctor or nutritionist. Especially for people with pre-existing conditions or impaired kidney function, dose adjustment may be necessary. This allows selenium intake to be individualized and safely managed without increasing the risk of health damage.
Long-term health care
Adequate selenium intake is essential for the long-term maintenance of numerous metabolic processes. It strengthens the immune system and supports thyroid function, thereby promoting overall health.
Selenium plays an important role in chronic diseases. Studies suggest that an adequate selenium status can protect against cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and other inflammatory processes. A long-term stabilized selenium balance can therefore contribute to disease prevention and is an essential part of health care. However, finding the balance between sufficient supply and overdose requires precise knowledge of one's own body and, if necessary, specialist medical advice.
Regular monitoring of selenium status, especially in risk groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, or people with digestive disorders, is of great importance. Selenium deficiency can be effectively prevented through adjusted nutrition or targeted supplementation. Maintaining an optimal selenium level thus contributes significantly to long-term health.
Legal notice regarding health-related claims:
Our information is for general informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Dietary supplements do not replace a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Health-related claims about dietary supplements must comply with the Health Claims Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 and be approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). If you have health complaints or questions, please consult a doctor.
Conclusion
Legal notice regarding health-related claims:
Our information is for general informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Dietary supplements do not replace a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Health-related claims about dietary supplements must comply with the Health Claims Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 and be approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). If you have health complaints or questions, please consult a doctor.
