The selenium dilemma.

Prediagnostic serum selenium and risk of cancer.

Selenium is one of the elements classified within the group of micronutrients which are necessary in trace amounts for the proper functioning of organisms. Selenium participates in the protection of cells against excess H2O2, in heavy metal detoxification, and regulation of the immune and reproductive systems as well. It also ensures the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Selenium induces the occurrence of the selenoprotein synthesis process involved in the antioxidant defense mechanism of the organism. Recent years have brought much success in the studies on selenium. Anticarcinogenic properties of selenium against some cancers have been reported. Supplementation is increasingly becoming a solution to this problem. A large number of different supplementation methods are promoting studies in this area. Slight differences in the selenium content can result in excess or deficiency, therefore supplementation has to be done carefully and cautiously.

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https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/21/5/609/pdf

Current Knowledge on the Importance of Selenium in Food for Living Organisms: A Review

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the geomedical aspects of selenium (Se), ranging from the soil through the plants to animal and human nutrition. Selenium has several essential functions in the animal and human body, and interactions occur with other elements and compounds. The beneficial effects of Se are obtained at different concentration levels, depending on the functions of Se and on interacting factors such as vitamin E, fatty acids, and sulfur. The nutritional minimum level for animals and humans is about 0.05–0.10 ppm Se in dry fodder/food, and intake below that cause severe deficiency diseases. At somewhat higher levels of Se intake, there are indications of a protective effect toward a number of human diseases, and toxic effects of Se occur with exposure to levels of 2–5 ppm Se or more, depending on the chemical form of the Se. Selenium toxicity in livestock is known in a few areas around the world, but Se deficiency has turned out to be much more common than Se toxicity. The Se deficiency problem is severe in New Zealand, in parts of China, in parts of North America, and in the Scandinavian countries.

The selenium dilemma.

Citations

Prediagnostic serum selenium and risk of cancer.

Current Knowledge on the Importance of Selenium in Food for Living Organisms: A Review

Selenium in Soils and Plants and its Importance in Livestock and Human Nutrition

Biological Availability of Selenium in Feedstuffs and Selenium Compounds for Prevention of Exudative Diathesis in Chicks

A subchronic toxicity study of elemental Nano-Se in Sprague-Dawley rats.

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