What is selenium? The chemical element selenium was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius, who named it after the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene. Selenium is a semi-precious metal and occurs naturally in various organic and inorganic compounds. The trace element selenium is essential for the body and a component of various enzymes and proteins. It is involved in many reactions in the body, including the regulation of thyroid hormones and the antioxidant protection system against free radicals (glutathione peroxidase). Selenium is also a building block of sperm and supports male fertility. It contributes to normal hair growth and is good for the nails. Selenium in our food Selenium is found in many foods, albeit only in small amounts. In particular, the selenium content of plant-based foods is subject to large fluctuations, as it is influenced by the soil. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you should therefore consciously incorporate plant-based selenium-rich foods such as Brazil nuts and mushrooms into your diet. Good sources of selenium include meat, fish and eggs, as well as cabbage and onion vegetables, lentils, asparagus and nuts. Selenium as a supplement The NaturesPlus product contains 200 mcg of elemental selenium as L-selenomethionine per tablet. One pack provides 90 tablets. Important: L-selenomethionine is a special form of organically bound selenium that is well compatible with other nutrients. Unlike other forms of selenium, the absorption of selenomethionine is not negatively affected by vitamin C. Hint: Food supplements are not intended to be a substitute for a balanced and varied diet.
