Selenium - ARL is an Authority on Nutrition and the Science of Balancing Body Chemistry Through Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis!

Sources Of Selenium

Seafood -	oysters, tuna, mackerel, herring, lobsters, scallops, shrimp, pike, trout, carp, cod, flounder, salmon
Meats -	liver, kidney, heart, beef, lamb, egg, pork
Nuts/seeds -	brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, walnuts
Grains -	wheat germ and bran, brown rice, barley
Miscellaneous -	brewer's yeast

Roles In The Body

At the molecular level selenium as a sulfhydryl agent, anti-oxidant (glutathione peroxidase), and as a synergist to vitamin E.
At the cellular level selenium is involved in the destruction of peroxides, protection of cell membranes, as an electron transfer agent, and in glutathione metabolism.
Selenium helps maintain the circulatory system, digestive organs, and reproductive system. It is also involved with heavy metal detoxification.

Functions Of Selenium

Circulatory -	needed for the heart muscle
Excretory -	protection from toxic metals
Respiratory -	involved in oxygen transport
Digestive -	intestinal homeostasis
Nervous -	protection from mercury and cadmium
Reproductive -	protection against birth defects
Endocrine -	synergistic with the sex hormones
Blood -	stabilizes the red blood cell membranes
Integumentary -	helps maintain hair, skin and nails
Immune -	enhances immune system in animals
Metabolic -	lipid and sulfhydryl metabolism; may prevent liver necrosis
Detoxification -	helps remove mercury, cadmium, silver, arsenic and peroxides

Nutrients That Are Synergistic With Selenium

Metabolic -	vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione
Absorption -	amino acids, peptides, proteins

Antagonistic Nutrients

Metabolic -	silver, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, titanium
Absorption -	copper, mercury, silver, sulfate

Hair Analysis Notes

High Hair Selenium:

can be due to the use of shampoos containing selenium
may indicate a loss of selenium through the hair

Low Hair Selenium:

may be due to dietary deficiency, which is relatively common, especially among those who eat refined foods

Reasons For Selenium Supplementation

Selenium may be given to help prevent or correct cadmium, mercury, or arsenic toxicity. Selenium is an anti-oxidant and may be given to help protect against free radical damage. Note that excessive selenium supplementation may be toxic.

In addition, there is extensive research presently being conducted on the functions of selenium and iodine with regard to thyroid function and it is becoming clear that there is an interaction between the two that should be noted.

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This material is for educational purposes only
The preceding statements have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.