Month: April 2021

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Selenium Deficiency and Covid-19 Infection

Selenium is a natural trace element that has an important role in the functioning of the immune system (summarized in an earlier seleniumfacts.com article).

Corona virus
Individuals with low serum selenium concentrations, e.g. below 70 mcg/L, are at greater risk of contracting Covid-19 and at greater risk of a more severe outcome. Selenium supplementation may give therapeutic benefits.

SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus responsible for COVID-19 infections. Covid-19 infections have a complex metabolism that is comparable to RNA virus infections such as coxsackievirus, influenza virus, Hanta virus, and HIV virus infections.

  • Selenium deficiency is associated with a higher susceptibility to RNA viral infections and with more severe disease outcomes [Hiffler 2020].
  • Selenium deficiency is associated with increases in the mutation, replication, and virulence of RNA viruses [Hiffler 2020].
  • There may be a protective effect of selenium supplementation against the susceptibility to and the severity of Covid-19 infections in selenium deficient individuals [Hiffler 2020].
    • Selenium Deficiency Promotes Mutations, Replication, and Increased Virulence of RNA Viruses

    Selenium deficiency – frequently defined as serum selenium status below 70 mcg/L – increases the risk of infection with RNA viruses: read more

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    Selenium and Good Immune System Response

    In people with selenium deficiency (variously defined as serum selenium status below 60 mcg/L or 70 mcg/L), the responses of the innate and adaptive immune systems may be impaired.

    Immunity spelled with Scrabble pieces
    Selenium intake and status play a big role in the functioning of the immune system. Selenoproteins help to lower oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and strengthen immune response to pathogens.

    Selenium deficiency can lead to an immune-incompetence that is associated with increased susceptibility to infections [Avery & Hoffmann 2018; Hiffler et al. 2020].

    In cell culture models, in rodent models, in livestock and poultry studies, and in human studies, researchers have found evidence that adequate levels of dietary selenium and the efficient incorporation of selenium into selenoproteins are important for immune system function [Avery & Hoffmann 2018].

    Studies of selenium supplementation to boost immunity against pathogens have not provided entirely clear-cut results; however, selenium and selenoproteins do play a role in regulating immune cell functions. Dysregulation of these immune cell processes can lead to inflammation and immune-related diseases [Avery & Hoffmann 2018]. read more