Selenium Supplements

Selenium is a trace element and not present in the NZ food chain, as it is not available in the soil in this country. It is not naturally produced in the body, so it must be taken through diet. It plays a role in helping protect the body from harmful free radicals, 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 was thought to increase the risk of cancer. New evidence suggests that this is 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 help prevent cancer.

Selenium is also important for your 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.